Conferenceon biodiversity

A biodiversity conference is to be held in Perth next week to discuss the importance of buildings in species’ survival.

The‘buildings for biodiversity’ conference with be hosted by the Tay Landscape Partnership on Thursday, November 9, at Perth Concert Hall from 9.30am until 4.30pm.

It will welcome professionals who plan, build, repair, maintain and manage buildings. The conference aims to give them a better understanding of key species of wildlife such as bats and birds, and how best to accommodate them during the planning, construction, renovation, repair and maintenance of both rural and urban buildings.

The event will also cover the laws protecting these key species and look at simple and cost effective mitigation measures to help avoid delays to building work.

Dusty Gedge, an urban ecologist who will be speaking at the Perth conference, said:“Everyone knows gardens, greenspaces and nature reserves are great places for wildlife. Fewer people realise iconic species such as swifts, barn owls and house sparrows and bats rely on man-made structures for their survival.

“All sorts of buildings, from old farm steadings to modern office blocks can provide vital shelter and the way we construct and manage our buildings can have huge benefits or disastrous consequences for the wildlife that lives alongside us.”

Speakers at the conference include Professor Sandy Halliday from Gaia Research, Sally Hughes, Police Scotland’s wildlife crime liaison officer, and Tom Morton from Arc Architects Ltd. Dusty Gedge and Edward Mayer from Swift Conservation will also be on hand throughout the day to speak about Scottish conservation.

Tickets for the conference can be booked online at www.happening. eventsair.com