| Foreword |
In these days of hustle and bustle we too often have too little time to appreciate the beauty of the land in which we live and on which we may depend, either directly for our business or employment, or which contributes to the quality of life and well-being which we enjoy.
Before becoming actively involved in the work of Argyll & Bute Local Biodiversity Partnership, and in the development of this Local Biodiversity Action Plan, I too, perhaps, took for granted the exceptional number and variety of rare, nationally and internationally recognised species and habitats to be found here in Argyll & Bute.
I know that the people and business of Argyll & Bute are, however, more conscious than most of the need to care for our environment, and recognise their capacity to contribute to the conservation of scarce material resources such as glass, paper and other non-renewable resources. Similarly, whether as a farmer, forester, fisherman, friend of the environment or individual, we can all play our part in the conservation and enhancement of the biological diversity in Argyll & Bute and contribute to the conservation of the global biodiversity.
Through this Action Plan, we have identified species and habitats of both national and local importance, which are under threat or need to be conserved as our contribution both to national biodiversity targets and the protection of our local environment, our local economies, our jobs and our future.
In excess of forty organisations initially signed up to the Partnership and the early stages of our local biodiversity action process, when we identified those valued species and habitats which are to be found here in Argyll & Bute. The partnership approach, which has underpinned all our work to date, has garnered the voluntary effort of the Partnership's membership, and will be fundamental to our future success.
We invite your support, participation and contribution to the work of the Partnership and above all to the actions identified in the various species and habitats action plan. In working towards these, we have sought to develop plans which are sympathetic to the needs and concerns of business and industry and are realistic and achievable. It is our hope that this plan will prove to be an interesting and informative read. A useful reference to and above all, an effective action-centred guide. The Local Biodiversity Action Plan will show you how you can contribute to the future well-being of the agriculture, forestry, fishery and tourism of Argyll & Bute, and our much valued beauty and biological diversity.
The completion and publication of the Plan must be seen not as the end of the process, but the route to the development and change which will realise the objectives and ensure the maintenance and enhancement of our cherished biodiversity.
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