To help promote their search for volunteers we were contacted by Species on the Edge. They are a partnership between NatureScot and 7 nature conservation charities (Amphibians and Reptile Conservation, Bat Conservation Trust, Buglife, Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation, Plantlife and RSPB Scotland) dedicated to improving the future of 37 of the rarest and most threatened species across Scotland’s coasts and islands.
We featured their volunteering opportunities on our website and promoted them in our newsletter and on social media. We also shared information about a volunteer recruitment event they were holding. Samantha Stringer, People Engagement Officer at Species on the Edge said:
To help promote their search for volunteers we were contacted by Species on the Edge. They are a partnership between NatureScot and 7 nature conservation charities (Amphibians and Reptile Conservation, Bat Conservation Trust, Buglife, Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation, Plantlife and RSPB Scotland) dedicated to improving the future of 37 of the rarest and most threatened species across Scotland’s coasts and islands.
We featured their volunteering opportunities on our website and promoted them in our newsletter and on social media. We also shared information about a volunteer recruitment event they were holding. Samantha Stringer, People Engagement Officer at Species on the Edge said:
In Orkney, we are working to safeguard 9 target species - Arctic tern, common pipistrelle bat, curlew, great yellow bumblebee, lapwing, little tern, oysterplant, plantain leaf beetle and Scottish primrose.
Our volunteers have supported our work by:
- surveying the 9 species
- assisting at events, nature walks, talks and photography, art and storytelling sessions
- carrying out warden duties at a little tern nesting beach in May and June
Their efforts help us to protect Orkney’s nature, improve wildlife habitats and raise awareness of threats facing our species:
- They contributed to our ‘Nature in a Changing World’ exhibition at the Stromness Museum by providing a great yellow bumblebee specimen and a video of a plantain leaf beetle - over 8000 people visited the exhibition helping us to highlight the issues affecting the different species in Orkney.
- They made little tern decoys for us to put on beaches encouraging passing birds to nest.
- They encouraged people to walk at a distance around vulnerable ground nesting birds and reduce disturbance on Orkney beaches.
- They provided data for UK population studies, informing future species recovery plans.
Each of our volunteers gives their talent, passion and time to the benefit people and wildlife in Orkney and we are extremely grateful for their support.
