North Lanarkshire Council has launched a consultation on the new Biodiversity Action Plan which aims to further conserve and enhance local habitats and species.
Residents are asked to give their views on actions affecting a range of habitats and species including school grounds, parks and public open spaces, churches and cemeteries, golf courses, rivers and burns.
The action plan sets out how protecting the environment will help reduce the impact of climate change, contribute to healthy ecosystems, and improve local communities for everyone.
By taking forward actions at a local level in partnership with communities, volunteers and other organisations, everyone can make a real difference.
Through the North Lanarkshire Biodiversity Partnership, the council has developed this fifth edition of the plan along with organisations including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Green Action Trust and the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
Councillor Helen Loughran, convener of the environment and climate change committee, told Lanarkshire Live : "This new action plan builds on the positive work taking place to look after the habitats and species that make up our unique local environment.
“We know how much our green spaces and nature matter to local people so we want to hear their views through this consultation.
“As well as improving the local environment in North Lanarkshire, protecting our local biodiversity will help tackle climate change for the future, so it’s important we get it right now and for the future.”
An important part of the action plan is restoring peatlands to conserve wildlife and improve their capacity for storing carbon. This work will contribute to the 2020 Challenge for Scotland’s Biodiversity.
The consultation is available to view online.
The deadline for comments is October 31 and feedback received will inform the final version of the plan, which is expected to be published in early 2023.
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