Scotland's Wildlife – an assessment of biodiversity in 20

Foreword
Roseanna Cunningham, MSP
Minister for Environment
I welcome the publication of this assessment by
Scottish Natural Heritage of Scotland's progress
against the 2010 biodiversity targets. While there are
clearly still some challenges to address, I think that we
can be proud of the progress achieved. I know that this
progress is the result of efforts across a wide range of
partners in central and local government, in agencies,
by land managers and the charitable wildlife
organisations.
2010 is International Year of Biodiversity, and in
Scotland I want to achieve:
- increased individual engagement and activity to
enjoy and support our natural environment;
- a greater appreciation, at all levels within
government and wider society, of the
importance of biodiversity to our health and
prosperity as individuals and communities.
I believe that we can engage people most effectively
through a positive message. Our experiences of nature
can inspire us, and should be shared with friends and
family. Even small actions to promote biodiversity can
make a real difference.
This publication provides a wide range of information
about the health of our species and ecosystems. As we
look ahead to the new targets for biodiversity and
ecosystem health beyond 2010, this compendium of
information will support us in making effective plans for
the future.
Some of the best biodiversity information comes from
the individual efforts of people contribution on a
voluntary basis to wildlife surveys. These actions
deserve our gratitude, and this is an opportunity for
more people to engage in this way with our
biodiversity.
1