Threatened newt re-introduced to Wishaw nature spot

Mar 11 2010 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

NORTH Lanarkshire Provost Tom Curley helped to launch a bid to bring more wildlife into the local area this week.

Volunteers, along with Mr Curley, launched the Scottish National Heritage’s Biodiversity Awards by preparing ponds for great crested newts at Greenhead Moss Nature Park, Wishaw, on Tuesday.

The awards are part of the CSV Action Earth Campaign, which aims to encourage groups across Scotland to carry out projects that benefit wildlife in the local area, and provide grants of £250 or £50 to help.

This year is also the International Year of Biodiversity, which encourages communities to take action to find out about, and improve, nature on their doorstep.

For the launch of the SNH Biodiversity Awards – part of the national CSV Action Earth campaign – local volunteers will help prepare for the reintroduction of the great crested newt to the area, the most threatened species of newt. This species has been dwindling since the 1940s due to loss of habitat, but volunteers hope their efforts will help stop the decline.

Lyndsey Kinnes, operations manager for Lanarkshire for Scottish Natural Heritage, said: “Volunteers across Scotland are involved in improving places for people and nature, both at nature reserves like Greenhead, and at other local green spaces.”

In addition to Greenhead Moss's own volunteers, young learners from Springboard Scotland Trust volunteered.

Robert Henderson, CSV Scotland, said: "Action Earth in Scotland brings together CSV, Scottish National Heritage and Morrisons supermarkets to support local community action for the environment.

“As well as 100 SNH Biodiversity awards of £250 for projects across Scotland, there are an additional 200 grants of up to £50 available to kick-start other local environment activities.”

The CSV Action Earth campaign in Scotland runs until July 31.

To apply for an SNH Biodiversity project for a £250 grant or a £50 Action Earth grant tel: CSV Action Earth on 0121 328 7455 or see the website www.csv.org.uk/actionearth.