The Better Biodiversity Data (BBD) project team held an exhibition in the Scottish Parliament from 17-19 September 2024.
The exhibition showcased the importance of the biodiversity data infrastructure in Scotland to MSPs and policymakers. The event featured a range of biodiversity data stories submitted by those involved in the collection, collation and use of biodiversity data in Scotland.
These stories highlighted the wide range of ways that biodiversity data is collected, shared and used by organisations, small groups and individuals. They includes stories submitted from Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Colonsay Biodiversity, East Lothian Countryside Volunteers, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, Highland Biological Recording Group, Holy Loch Nature Reserve, JNCC, National Museums Scotland, NatureScot, North East Scotland Biological Records Centre, Orkney Wildlife Recording Group, Outer Hebrides Biological Recording, Rare Invertebrates in the Cairngorms, Restoration Forth, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, RSPB, Scottish Ornithologists’ Club, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, Seasearch, Species on the Edge, Vincent Wildlife Trust and Yorkhill Green Spaces.
In advance of the Exhibition, the BBD team engaged 83 MSPs and Parliamentary researchers online. During their time at Holyrood, Gillian Martin MSP – Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, Alasdair Allan MSP – Acting Minister for Climate Action and Ariane Burgess MSP – the BBD exhibition sponsor and Convener of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee were among the 26 MSPs who spoke with the BBD team. Many of the MSPs who attended the exhibition were participants of the Nature Champions initiative coordinated by Scottish Environment LINK.
The exhibition successfully helped raise the profile of the importance of biodiversity data, and the infrastructure that supports it with Scottish MSPs. The BBD team would like to extend a big thank you to all those who contributed to making the exhibition a great few days at Holyrood!
If you would like to find out more about the exhibition– please contact Christine Tansey – Partnership Officer for the BBD project: c.tansey@nbn.org.uk