"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead, American anthropologist, 1901-1978
Scotland has over 790 offshore islands and the National Trust for Scotland cares for many of these.
Some islands have lively communities but most are uninhabited by people but have some very important seabird colonies and wildlife who rely on them.
The National Trust for Scotland looks after over 400 islands and islets, and they have a very exciting addition to these. The Treshnish Isles have been added to all the places they care for - and they are an archipelago of Special Scientific Interest in the Inner Hebrides.
Since the start of the 21st century, the climate crisis has caused sea levels to rise by 16cm, increasingly threatening historic buildings in the bays. As the weather gets more extreme with ever more violent storms and flooding, more damage is likely to the archaeology telling the story of those who have lived here over thousands of years.
And the islands' wildlife is declining, as nature diminishes at an unprecedented rate. The most recent State of Nature Report estimates that up to 1 in 9 species is endangered and could be lost from Scotland. Puffins and basking sharks are just two examples of species that are endangered and who could vanish within our lifetimes.
The National Trust for Scotland's rangers are working to protect the islands in the Trust's care, by undertaking activities such as surveying coastal buildings and archaeological sites, recording data and intervening to save what they can. They are undertaking essential seabird counts to see how the birds are faring, and working with boat operators to make sure predators don't reach the islands.
They have launched a Love Our Islands Appeal, to help them look after the islands in their care.
The Treshnish Isles have just come into the care of the National Trust for Scotland
Sea ice, say Polar Bears InternationaI (PBI), serves as the earth’s air conditioner, especially because it is so cold, and covers so much area. It helps to keep the planet cool. Locals use it for transport and to access food. It’s the basis of the Arctic marine food web. We need to protect it.
Lots of wildlife live in the Arctic
The area is home to animals such as beluga whales, bowhead whale, reindeer, caribou, polar bears, the narwhal and walrus. It’s got moose, Arctic foxes, Arctic hares, musk ox, wolverine, Arctic wolves, snowy owls, Canadian lynx, Artic terns, seals and ptarmagans. WWF Arctic has more information about these amazing animals.
PBI has created the day to raise awareness of the rapidly melting Arctic ecosystem and why that matters. The region is warming almost 4 times as fast as the rest of the planet – and polar bears, beluga whales and seals, they all need sea ice. A new study has projected that by mid-century, the Arctic will be ice-free by September – and that will affect us all.
And the NASA Climate Change Channel on You Tube has a short video showing us how the change in the expanse of the annual minimum Arctic sea ice for each year from 1979 through 2022
Polar Bears International report that this could be a tough year for the polar bears of Churchill. This means that the melted ice is forcing polar bears ashore – they are pretty much deprived of food and have to live off their fat reserves until the ice forms again. And that won’t happen until the late fall.
So how can we help slow this trend?
This 15th July, Polar Bears international are sharing facts about sea ice and polar bears. They are also encouraging everyone to talk about climate change.
They say that when everyone talks about something, it feels important. When something feels important, people act.
Their programmes are designed for students, teachers, and lifelong learners who are curious about polar bears and the Arctic. They’ve got lots of resources online, including a tool kit to help you spread awareness.
Plus you can join Captain Kieran McIver and his special guests or the 2023 Beluga Cam kick off with explore.org.This is a wonderful opportunity to discover all about the beluga mitgration and what you might see.
On ITV tonight (Sunday 7 9 July) at 8pm, there’s a new series beginning called A Year on Planet Earth.
Narrated by Stephen Fry, the series shows how the Earth’s journey around the sun affects our wildlife. The programme was filmed over three years and covers many different locations.
Kicking off with winter in the Northern hemisphere, of course it’s summer in the south. Thus we see polar bears as well as African elephants and King penguins.
This is a UK-wide survey aiming to help Butterfly Conservation assess our envrionmental health. All you need to do is to count the amount and type of butterflies and moths you see! It starts on Friday 14th July and runs to 6th August 2023 and all you have to do is to choose a place to spot butterflies and moths. Watch for 15 minutes. Then record which species you see. There's lots of help on the website, so flutter away to find out more here.
Citizen Science works wonders!
The increase in the number of opportunities to be a citizen scientist has unearthed a number of benefits for nature-based citizen science projects and those taking part in them.
What is citizen science, anyway?
It’s when ordinary people like you and me volunteer to do scientific research. We could collect data and send it off to the organisation conducting the research or get more scientifically involved. Some people design experiments, whilst many others simply take part in projects. Things like this really matter because they help conservation organisations build up a more detailed picture of how wildlife is faring, for example, and which species need help.
Citizen science projects can include things such as counting butterflies and bird species and finding ancient trees, or reporting on snakes and other reptiles they’ve seen. Some of these projects are annual events whilst others are on-going.
The other great thing about it according to a recent study is that people can build a connection to science and the natural world. They believe they’re doing something worthwhile with their time, something that will make a difference, and they can enjoy the benefits the natural world gives them. And they feel happier afterwards.
Information about the study
In People and Nature (9 February 2023), the results of a study were published concerning citizen science. The study was called “Nature Up Close and Personal: A Wellbeing Experiment”. The study is the first to investigate the effects of citizen science on volunteers. Ecologist Dr Michael Pocock who is from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) led the study which was undertaken during 2020 (the pandemic restrictions were in force) by UKCEH, the University of Derby and the British Science Association.
The average age of the 500 participants from across the UK was 52 and there was a control group. They were surveyed before and after taking part, so assessing differences in their connection to nature, their wellbeing and pro-nature behaviour.
Particpants were asked to do a 10 minute nature-based activity at least 5 times over 8 days, namely a pollinating insects survey, a butterfly survey, spending time in nature and writing down 3 good things they noticed or a combination of both.
The results of the citizen science study
The people who spent time in nature and writing down 3 good things they noticed were more likely to say they’d do wildlife friendly activities in future, so it seemed that the activity strengthened their relationship with the natural world. (You could try this last activity at home and see how you feel about doing wildlife friendly activities.)
All the volunteers showed better scores in wellbeing and feeling connected to nature. Comments included “it gave me permission to slow down” and “it reminded me that small things can make a difference to my mood” and “it made me more aware of nature in all aspects of the environment.”
Participants reported improved levels of happiness, a greater connection with nature and a determination to do wildlife friendly activities e.g. planting more pollinator-friendly plants in their gardens, creating shelters for wildlife. Nature can indeed benefit from our involvement in citizen science!
Anyone can get involved in citizen science!
And the great thing about citizen science is that anyone can take part – you just need to have a bit of time and to be curious and willing to watch and record. It’s another way in which we can strengthen our relationship with the natural world, which must surely be good for nature, for wildlife and for us! It means that people can enhance their connection with nature whilst helping conservation as they collect important data.
The researchers believe their results highlight the benefits of focusing on the natural world, and that’s even if that’s just for a few moments.
On of my favourite magazines, The Countryman, is reporting how a conservation by the National Trust for Scotland has turned a 200-acre dairy farm (no longer used) in wildflower meadows, wetlands and native woodlands. So off I went to find out more direct from the National Trust for Scotland.
The Threave Landscape Restoration Project used grazing by 14 Belted Galloway cattle to increase biodiveristy, with vegetation at diferent heights. As a reulst, 81 hectares of land at the Threave Estate which is located in Dumfries and Galloway have become rich habitats for fauna and flora.
The Belted Galloway cattle have been very busy working on the project
The cattle had satellite linked collars so that their activities could be tracked remotely, and this was helpful in reducing any possiblity of overgrazing.
The wheatear is one species that is enjoying the results of this restoration project.
The result? Insect and bird life have increased. Not only that, but species which were rarely spotted at the site before, have increased, too. Curlew, wheatear and the shoveler duck and skylark have all increased.
As well as the cattle, the project is aiming to plant 16,000 native trees, too.
Nor have people been forgotten. The wetland area is accessible to human visitors, thanks to broadwalks.
This porject is encouraging other sites to create change, both locally and further afield. They are looking to enlist the use of cattle to do some conservation grazing, for example, also using GPS tracking devices which helps reduce over-grazing.
Threave is important because it is the home of the School of Heritage Gardening, and it’s dedicated to the training of hortiuclturalists. Not only that, it’s got Scotland’s only Bat Reserve! They’ve got 8 species of bats and a conservation programme dedicated to protect them.
There's a Bat Reserve at Threave Garden & Estate
The National Trust for Scotland says it’s one of Scotland’s most biodiverse nature reserve – there’s an osprey platform where you can take in the beauty around you.
