Press Release

Public urged to have their say on local biodiversity

Wednesday, 09 July

Members of the public are being encouraged to put forward their views on the Derry City Council’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan, aimed at bringing the local community together to take collective action to protect and enhance wildlife and their habitats across the Council area.

The plan, entitled Wildlife Action in Derry~Londonderry, highlights the importance of many wildlife habitats and species in the council area and the need to protect them.

Urging people to take part in the consultation process, the Council’s Biodiversity Officer Annie Mullan said it was important that everyone takes responsibility for the local environment.

“Its essential that we appreciate the importance of biodiversity and what is present in our city and district and ways in which we can help to protect and enhance the biodiversity of our local area. By working together we can make this action plan work by identifying the threats that we face and the work we need to do to protect our environment and raise awareness and knowledge of biodiversity issues,” she explained.

An important part of the action plan is the conservation of priority habitats and species including rivers and streams, hedgerows, woodland, coastal, bog, urban and gardens as well as bats, Atlantic salmon, otter, red squirrel, lapwing, purple moorgrass and bumblebees.

The need for raising awareness around biodiversity issues was highlighted in a Biodiversity Awareness Survey, which was commissioned by Derry City Council on behalf of the Derry and District Biodiversity Partnership (DDBP). This need will be addressed through the aims and objectives of the local biodiversity action plan.

Members of the public interested in viewing the plan are urged to download the document on the website - www.derrycity.gov.uk/biodiversity or contact the Council’s Biodiversity Officer. Please note that all comments must be returned by 12 noon on 01 August 2008.

Ends

For additional information contact:

Press Office

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