‘Coastal Treasures of the Eastern Solway’ is part of ‘Species on the Edge’, a diverse new programme of conservation work being delivered in partnership with seven other environmental organisations led by NatureScot and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

ARC is excited to announce that the delivery phase of Species on the Edge is now officially underway. After a lengthy and thorough development phase, we are finally ready to break ground and start affecting positive change for some of the most endangered species associated with Scotland’s coastal and island habitats. Our ambitious plan aims to empower local communities to take affirmative action for the natural environment.

As area lead for Species on the Edge on the Solway Coast, ARC are proud to present 'Coastal Treasures of the Eastern Solway', through which local area staff will work closely with local communities, landowners, and various other stakeholders to raise awareness of the numerous threats faced by some of the rarest and most iconic species associated with the region, as well as to co-design and implement sustainable conservation strategies to ensure their preservation for generations to come. 

Through Coastal Treasures of the Eastern Solway, ARC will oversee efforts to monitor and conserve the Natterjack Toad; Scotland's rarest amphibian. ARC staff will work in close partnership with project partners such as the Bat Conservation Trust, Buglife, Butterfly Conservation and RSPB to exchange knowledge and expertise for the benefit of priority species such as the Brown Long-eared bat, Tadpole Shrimp, Northern Brown Argus and Curlew.

As part of a regional programme of activity, local communities and landowners will gain access to bespoke training opportunities to help them to identify, monitor and manage habitat to benefit these vulnerable species while at the same time developing new skills and becoming more resilient themselves. A multi-sensory programme of engagement activity will promote feelings of nature-connectedness while also providing accessible routes into conservation and amplifying the voices of historically nature-deprived communities. 

To find out more about Species on the Edge, head over to the website, give a follow on Facebook on Twitter, and sign up to the mailing list to receive regular news and updates about the project.

Species on the Edge is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, who have generously contributed over £4m of funding towards a total programme cost of over £6.5m. In addition to the National Lottery players, thanks also go to all of our fellow Species on the Edge partners, the Scottish Government, Esmee Fairbairn, the Dulverton Trust, the John Ellerman Trust, the Banister Trust, SAC Consulting, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature for their funding and support.