Landscape and Biodiversity

Sutherland's Wonderful Landscape and Biodiversity.    Sutherland is a land of unrivalled beauty, which has been described as the last great wilderness in Britain.  The rocks of Sutherland's hills and shores are more than half as old as the Earth itself, and among the oldest in Europe.  Nowhere is the richness and diversity of the area's landscapes, habitats and wildlife seen more clearly than in the area of the North-West Highlands Geopark, most of which is in Sutherland.

And the richness of Sutherland's biodiverse flora and fauna complements the haunting landscapes perfectly.  For some of the species to view at various times of year, take a look at the seasonal "Watch our Wildlife" brochures for Spring, Summer, Autumn and  Winter page 1, and page 2.

Like residents of all parts of the Scottish Highlands, those who live in Sutherland recognise the importance of valuing and protecting the area's biodiverse natural heritage.  Sutherland's Local Biodiversity Action Plan is a tool by which to achieve this. 

Funding for Biodiversity Projects in Sutherland.    The Sutherland Partnership has stewarded no fewer than seventeen biodiversity projects during the most recent previous funding round, generously funded by Highland Council, Scottish Naturaal Heritage and LEADER+.  These projects included setting up video nestboxes in a variety of locations, conducting wildlife audits (both of particular species and individual villages) and constructing exciting wildlife habitats. 

NOW there is a new funding stream available for the years 2009 - 2012 - the Sutherland Partnership Environmental Fund (SPEF).  This fund can provide up to £6,000 for individual community biodiversity projects.   For further information, and for an application form, phone Sutherland Partnership Manager on Lairg (01549) 402646.

Recent SP Biodiversity Group Activities.  One of our partner organisations, West Sutherland Fisheries Trust, has recently published its study on elvers.  To read that study, just follow this link: http://home.btconnect.com/wsft/

Ian Evans, a prominent local botanist and a member of Sutherland Partnership Biodiversity Forum, has followed up his work on "Village Wildlife Audits" of Scourie and Rogart with an article "Scourie Revisited" in "Highland Naturalist" magazine.  You can read that update article here.

And Ian is also the co-author, with Dr Duncan May, of an excellent new pilot study Marine Audit of a stretch of Sutherland Coastline.  Read that audit document here. 

For information about access to Sutherland's "Great Outdoors", see our "Access" page.