Free events in Blairgowrie and Rattray set to highlight biodiversity
Date: Friday 14 June
News Release
June 2024
Free events in Blairgowrie and Rattray set to highlight biodiversity
Pictured from left are volunteer Angela Comley, Biodiversity Blair project officer Jenna Muir, and volunteer Rob Alfano
Scotland’s first biodiversity town, Blairgowrie and Rattray, is hosting a series of free events and activities this month as part of a special ‘bioblitz’ weekend.
Volunteers from Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust’s (BRDT) Biodiversity Blair project, in collaboration with a number of local groups, organisations and enthusiasts, have organised a number of walks, talks, workshops and other events as part of the bioblitz, which aims to increase awareness of the importance of plants and wildlife in the Blairgowrie and Rattray area.
The bioblitz gets under way on the evening of Friday, June 21, with a screening of ‘Why Not Scotland’, a short film looking at rewilding projects across Europe, and a bat walk along the banks of the River Ericht.
Saturday’s bioblitz programme kicks off at dawn with a chance to listen to wildlife at first light over coffee and croissants. There will also be guided explorations of the town to identify plants, bugs, birds and animals, a guided walk looking at edible and medicinal trees, flowers and plants, a bumblebee identification walk and survey, a wildlife photography session, and a bird identification ramble.
Talks on the reintroduction and importance of beavers, the preservation and survival of red squirrels and wildlife crime are also part of the packed programme of events.
There will be a worm charming competition and a variety of biodiversity-themed stalls in the Wellmeadow in the centre of Blairgowrie, mini exploration tasks and activities for children and a display in Blairgowrie Library of poems, songs and pictures about biodiversity created by school pupils.
Some local community groups and organisations are also hosting their own biodiversity-related events and activities as part of the town-wide programme. There will be an opportunity to make dragonflies and bumble bees from sustainable materials under the guidance of experienced crafters at Nest Creative Spaces in the Wellmeadow, and Rattray Community Garden is hosting an open day with a mini beasts hunt.
Those behind the event are also keen for local residents to survey their own gardens or spaces by recording plants and animal species spotted over the bioblitz weekend to help improve understanding of the overall biodiversity picture in the town.
The bioblitz is part of ongoing efforts to increase the biodiversity of different areas in Blairgowrie and Rattray and Biodiversity Blair’s work towards enhancing the local environment and being more nature friendly in a way that fits in with local preferences.
Volunteer Rob Alfano, along with biodiversity project officer Jenna Muir, has been instrumental in organising the 2024 Blairgowrie Bioblitz.
He said: “Biodiversity Blair is a group of local volunteers with an interest in improving the environment for all species – including humans!
“More and more species, many of which were once common, are now threatened with extinction as habitats are destroyed – over the last few decades Britain has lost 97 per cent of its flower-rich meadows and as a result garden birds, bumblebees and butterflies are in serious decline.
“On our own it is hard to know how to make a difference but by working together we can have a positive impact.
“Biodiversity is such a broad topic and there is so much for people to get involved with if they are interested in helping, and this bioblitz aims to highlight some of the ways our actions and behaviour can change things for the better, while the data we hope to gather will help us with future plans for supporting biodiversity in our town.
“We’re delighted to be working with some really passionate and enthusiastic experts in their fields and have pulled together what we think is a fascinating programme with something for everyone.”
All the events are free to attend but places are limited on some of the activities so booking in advance is encouraged.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the bioblitz or biodiversity in Blairgowrie and Rattray, visit the website www.biodiversityblair.scot or email info@biodiversityblair.scot.
Alternatively, follow ‘BiodiversityBlair’ on Facebook and Instagram for up-to-date information on events and work parties.
ENDS For further information or media enquiries, please contact Clare McMicking on telephone 07514 343 042 or email media@brdt.org.uk
June 2024
Free events in Blairgowrie and Rattray set to highlight biodiversity
Pictured from left are volunteer Angela Comley, Biodiversity Blair project officer Jenna Muir, and volunteer Rob Alfano
Scotland’s first biodiversity town, Blairgowrie and Rattray, is hosting a series of free events and activities this month as part of a special ‘bioblitz’ weekend.
Volunteers from Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust’s (BRDT) Biodiversity Blair project, in collaboration with a number of local groups, organisations and enthusiasts, have organised a number of walks, talks, workshops and other events as part of the bioblitz, which aims to increase awareness of the importance of plants and wildlife in the Blairgowrie and Rattray area.
The bioblitz gets under way on the evening of Friday, June 21, with a screening of ‘Why Not Scotland’, a short film looking at rewilding projects across Europe, and a bat walk along the banks of the River Ericht.
Saturday’s bioblitz programme kicks off at dawn with a chance to listen to wildlife at first light over coffee and croissants. There will also be guided explorations of the town to identify plants, bugs, birds and animals, a guided walk looking at edible and medicinal trees, flowers and plants, a bumblebee identification walk and survey, a wildlife photography session, and a bird identification ramble.
Talks on the reintroduction and importance of beavers, the preservation and survival of red squirrels and wildlife crime are also part of the packed programme of events.
There will be a worm charming competition and a variety of biodiversity-themed stalls in the Wellmeadow in the centre of Blairgowrie, mini exploration tasks and activities for children and a display in Blairgowrie Library of poems, songs and pictures about biodiversity created by school pupils.
Some local community groups and organisations are also hosting their own biodiversity-related events and activities as part of the town-wide programme. There will be an opportunity to make dragonflies and bumble bees from sustainable materials under the guidance of experienced crafters at Nest Creative Spaces in the Wellmeadow, and Rattray Community Garden is hosting an open day with a mini beasts hunt.
Those behind the event are also keen for local residents to survey their own gardens or spaces by recording plants and animal species spotted over the bioblitz weekend to help improve understanding of the overall biodiversity picture in the town.
The bioblitz is part of ongoing efforts to increase the biodiversity of different areas in Blairgowrie and Rattray and Biodiversity Blair’s work towards enhancing the local environment and being more nature friendly in a way that fits in with local preferences.
Volunteer Rob Alfano, along with biodiversity project officer Jenna Muir, has been instrumental in organising the 2024 Blairgowrie Bioblitz.
He said: “Biodiversity Blair is a group of local volunteers with an interest in improving the environment for all species – including humans!
“More and more species, many of which were once common, are now threatened with extinction as habitats are destroyed – over the last few decades Britain has lost 97 per cent of its flower-rich meadows and as a result garden birds, bumblebees and butterflies are in serious decline.
“On our own it is hard to know how to make a difference but by working together we can have a positive impact.
“Biodiversity is such a broad topic and there is so much for people to get involved with if they are interested in helping, and this bioblitz aims to highlight some of the ways our actions and behaviour can change things for the better, while the data we hope to gather will help us with future plans for supporting biodiversity in our town.
“We’re delighted to be working with some really passionate and enthusiastic experts in their fields and have pulled together what we think is a fascinating programme with something for everyone.”
All the events are free to attend but places are limited on some of the activities so booking in advance is encouraged.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the bioblitz or biodiversity in Blairgowrie and Rattray, visit the website www.biodiversityblair.scot or email info@biodiversityblair.scot.
Alternatively, follow ‘BiodiversityBlair’ on Facebook and Instagram for up-to-date information on events and work parties.
ENDS For further information or media enquiries, please contact Clare McMicking on telephone 07514 343 042 or email media@brdt.org.uk
