Blairgowrie and Rattray bioblitz hailed as a great success
Date: Saturday 22 June
News Release
June 2024
Blairgowrie and Rattray bioblitz hailed as a great success
A ‘bioblitz’ weekend in Scotland’s first biodiversity town, Blairgowrie and Rattray, has been hailed as a success by organisers.
More than 100 people attended a series of free events and activities in the east Perthshire town over the weekend, organised by volunteers from Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust’s (BRDT) Biodiversity Blair project, in collaboration with a number of local groups, organisations and enthusiasts, as part of efforts to increase awareness of the importance of plants and wildlife in the Blairgowrie and Rattray area.
Events included a number of talks and workshops as well as other sessions such as a screening of the film ‘Why Not Scotland’, a chance to listen to wildlife at dawn over coffee and croissants, a display in Blairgowrie Library of poems, songs and pictures about biodiversity created by school pupils and a number of stalls in the Wellmeadow highlighting the work being done by groups such as Tayside Biodiversity and the Tayside Swift Project, the Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Climate Café and the RSPB.
Guided walks looking at edible and medicinal trees, flowers and plants, and bird identification proved to be very popular.
And one of the highlights of the weekend was a ‘worm charming’ competition which saw people of all ages try their hands at encouraging worms to come out of the ground as part of wider efforts to help improve an understanding of the overall biodiversity picture in the town.
The bioblitz was part of ongoing efforts to increase the biodiversity of different areas in Blairgowrie and Rattray and Biodiversity Blair’s work towards enhancing the local environment and being more nature friendly in a way that fits in with local preferences.
Biodiversity project officer Jenna Muir was part of the organising team behind the 2024 Blairgowrie Bioblitz.
She said: “We’re delighted with the success of the bioblitz – it was the first time we have held a programme of events on this scale and it was fantastic to see so many people coming along and getting involved. It is heartening to find so many people locally who have an appetite to learn how best we can improve our environment for the future health of our families and all species.
“Our aim at Biodiversity Blair is to improve the environment locally for all species – including humans – through nurturing and protecting habitats and working with others, and it is great that other groups and organisations support those efforts.
“We’re incredibly lucky that there are some very passionate and enthusiastic experts in their fields who live locally who were willing to share their knowledge and experience with us and are hugely grateful to all those who led walks, gave presentations and talked to people over the weekend.
“We would also like to thank everyone who took the time to come along and find out more about everything from rewilding to wildlife photography, red squirrel conservation to bumblebee identification, swifts and bumblebees, and of course everyone who took part in the worm charming competition!
“We hope that this weekend has highlighted the many ways that people can get involved in enhancing biodiversity in our town and help have a positive impact on our environment for generations to come.”
Former wildlife crime officer Alan Stewart was one of the presenters at the event. He said: “I am very interested in all types of biodiversity and events like this are a great way to spread the word about wildlife, and indeed wildlife crime which is my particular area of expertise.
“The climate crisis means that people need to be more aware of nature and wildlife and I was therefore delighted to be able to be involved with the Blairgowrie and Rattray Bioblitz.”
Local councillor for the Blairgowrie and Glens ward Tom McEwan attended the event, commenting: “I was really pleased to see the bioblitz weekend taking place in Blairgowrie and Rattray.
“The educational aspect of this event and the raising of awareness of the issues around biodiversity that the volunteers and groups and organisations taking part provided to local residents and visitors to the town are very important and essential to counter the loss of species and the wider issue of climate change.
“I therefore commend the efforts of everyone involved in pulling this event together.”
If you’re interested in finding out more about biodiversity in Blairgowrie and Rattray, visit the website www.biodiversityblair.scot or email info@biodiversityblair.scot.
Alternatively, follow ‘BiodiversityBlair’ on Facebook and Instagram for up-to-date information on events and work parties.
ENDS
For further information or media enquiries, please contact Clare McMicking on telephone 07514 343 042 or email media@brdt.org.uk
