The purple-flowered Rhododendrum ponticum was introduced by the Victorians to the UK and has since spread far and wide. Though it has beautiful flowers, its presence is a disaster ecologically. The dense canopy and leaf litter stifle plant growth and the soil becomes...
Slow Worms – have you seen any?
During our recent Indian summer, slow worms may have been on the move. If you have found any in your polytunnel or compost, or anywhere else, please share with the Slow Worms Scotland Facebook group. All information on slow worms helps to increase our knowledge of...
Invasive non-native species
It looks beautiful, but this common Rhododendron is an invasive species that is spreading throughout western Scotland and is destroying our native biodiversity. Read more about invasive species in this issue, which has lots of articles on nature. Photo: James...
Carbon Neutral Islands Raasay: what’s been happening
by Tom Lusink and Rosie Macinnes Last June, the island got access to its piggy bank of £160,000 from the Scottish Government. Since then, we - alongside the community and with help from project partners - have been working on converting those pennies into improvements...
The slow worm of the Highlands and Islands
by Cally Ullman-Smith Here, on the west coast of Scotland we have one of the most misunderstood and mysterious of any species native to the United Kingdom. With its long brown and striped, scaly but smooth body, the slow worm (Anguis fragilis) can easily be...
How to eat like a climavore
This blog describes the work on Skye and Raasay of the Climavore project, a research platform and agency that questions how to eat as humans change climates. Climavore's work includes an oyster table that is covered and exposed by the tides, and apprenticeships for...
Help map nature-rich land
The Highland Environment Forum is working with The Highland Council to map Places that are looked after/cared for by communities and conservation organisations to benefit nature, and/or Your suggestions of places that are locally or regionally important for...
Help identify local biodiversity priorities
Broadford & Strath Community Company are carrying out a Biodiversity Audit and Biodiversity Action Plan. They want to find out what you feel are the current threats to species and habitats and how we, as a community and individuals, can act on them. They also want...
Highland Council’s new biodiversity- and climate-friendly mowing policy
The Highland Council is increasing the amount of set aside and wildlife corridors across the area, by reducing areas being mown and the frequency of cutting, for example only cutting paths through larger greenspaces, reducing verge cutting and creating wildflower or...
Practically helping Highland Biodiversity – video recording available
Video recording of discussion seminar held on 8th September 2021.