Species on the Edge

What will the project do?

Species on the Edge is an ambitious programme for species recovery in Scotland, that aims to take action over 37 declining and threatened species across Scotland’s coasts and islands. The programme is led by NatureScot with members of the Rethink Nature partnership (Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Bat Conservation Trust, Buglife, Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation, Plantlife, and RSPB Scotland). With funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we aim to deliver targets through nine species-specific project plans.

Buglife will be working with our partners on Invertebrates on the Edge.

Invertebrates on the Edge aims to carry out essential conservation work creating more safe havens for threatened species and restore lost populations through empowering local communities.  This project will give a brighter future to five key threatened invertebrates by kickstarting species recovery within landscape-scale areas across Scotland. 

• Bordered Brown Lacewing (Megalomus hirtus),
• the leaf beetle Chrysolina intermedia,
• Medicinal Leech (Hirudo medicinalis),
• Short-necked Oil Beetle (Meloe brevicollis) and
• Tadpole Shrimp (Triops cancriformis)

The habitat interventions and management advice delivered through this species plan will have multi-taxa benefits affecting a wide range of invertebrates, plants and other wildlife.

Due to the ambitious multi-taxa approach other invertebrate species that will benefit from the Species on the Edge programme, include:

• Great Yellow Bumblebee (Bombus distinguendus)
• Moss Carder Bee (Bombus muscorum)
• Northern Brown Argus (Aricia artaxerxes)
• Northern Colletes (Colletes floralis)
• Red-shanked Carder Bee (Bombus ruderarius)
• Small Blue (Cupido minimus)

Species on the Edge will restore habitats to support the recovery of some of Scotland’s most threatened species and connect people with nature and to provide long-term benefits for wildlife and people. Through training, upskilling and creating opportunities for community action Species on the Edge will establish a legacy of species conservation that goes beyond the length of the work ensuring target species will be sustainable for the long term.

How can you get involved?

Communities can get involved through a series of opportunities. Join us for:

• workshops and engagement events;
• training workshops on habitat management & creation;
• species monitoring and more.

Information, advice and support is also available to communities and landowners across Scotland who would like to know more about the programme, how they can be involved and how to improve their land for Scotland’s declining and threatened species.

For more information on how to get involved in Species on the Edge please contact our Conservation Team via [email protected]