Councillors have signed off on an ambitious 20-year plan to restore and protect Fife’s natural environment.
The Cabinet approved a biodiversity plan for the region which will run until 2045, and sets out how Fife will enhance nature and tackle biodiversity loss.
The Fife Local Biodiversity Action Plan sets out a long term vision to restore habitats, protect wildlife and improve access to nature – with a clear focus on the benefits for people’s health, wellbeing and local places.
Backed by five-year delivery plans, the strategy will turn ambition into action – from restoring rivers and planting trees to improving local greenspaces and connecting habitats.
Work is already happening across Fife.
Projects underway include river restoration on the Leven, Eden and Back Burn to improve water quality and wildlife habitats, and tree planting and woodland expansion through the Fife Climate Forest programme.
Better connected habitats are being created via Fife Nature Networks, helping wildlife to adapt, move and thrive, while urban greenspace offer improvements to make towns and neighbourhoods greener, healthier places to live
The plan places importance on supporting nature and improving everyday life, recognising the essential role green spaces play in physical and mental health. It sets out six key priorities for action – protecting and enhancing species, restoring habitats, improving connectivity between natural areas, tackling invasive and non-native species, addressing climate change, and encouraging community awareness and involvement
It also has an emphasis is on getting local people involved, with future campaigns and projects to help communities play their part in protecting and enhancing nature.
Councillor Jan Wincott, spokesperson for the environment and climate change, said: “By taking a joined-up, whole-ecosystem approach, from rivers and woodlands to our towns and coastlines, we’re tackling biodiversity loss while building resilience to climate change.
“It’s a key part of our commitment to be climate friendly, climate ready and climate just, with biodiversity playing a vital role across our three big moves – energy, resilience and communities. With a 20-year vision in place, we’re now focused on delivering practical, long-term improvements that people across Fife will see and benefit from.”
The plan has been developed in collaboration with the Fife Biodiversity Partnership, bringing together public, private and third sector organisations including Fife Coast and Countryside Trust and the Fife Golf Trust.
It will also support the Council in meeting its legal obligations under national legislation and contribute to the wider Climate Fife strategy.
The next phase will include developing detailed delivery plans and measurable indicators to track improvements in ecosystem health across the region.
