Wednesday 2nd June 2010
Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park is the largest Regional Park in Scotland. It provides a wealth of important habitats for a vast range of wildlife and plants of all shapes and sizes even although it is close to many urban locations. This Photographic Competition is open is all and aims to encourage you to explore nature on your doorstep by exploring the Regional Park in spring summer and autumn.
2010 is International Year of Biodiversity and there is a massive diversity of living things and their habitats in the Regional Park. We are fortunate to have internationally important Hen Harriers breeding within the Park. At this time of year, if you are lucky you can see them ‘skydancing’ over the high heather moors. Alongside the Hen Harriers are more common, but no less attractive species, like starfish, dragonflies and lichens. The Park is home to lots of other wildlife, has many different habitats and landscapes as well as being an important area for carbon storage because of the big areas of peat land.
Charlie Woodward, Regional Park Manager said ‘We hope this competition will inspire people to explore and appreciate the Regional Park’s natural environments, rural landscapes and its bounty of wildlife species, from birds and mammals to insects and marine life. We all have a part to play in safeguarding our environment for future generations, I believe the Park can provide many good examples of this and hope this photographic competition will inspire people to think about and look after their planet at a local level. Some of the best images from the competition will form a touring exhibition at Clyde Muirshiel this winter.”
The competition is open to all ages and abilities and has a £250 cash prize. More information including details of the different categories and an entry form can be picked up at a Regional Park visitor centre or follow the link on the homepage of our website www.clydemuirshiel.co.uk.
There are lots of inspirational events taking place throughout the year in the Regional Park, look on our website for events including family friendly summer activities with the Rangers and outdoor activity courses with the Activity Instructors. Photographs from a previous competition are on display at the Castle Semple Visitor Centre until 17 June. They will then be at the Greenock Cut Visitor Centre from Sat 19 June until Thurs 1 July and then at Muirshiel Visitor Centre from Sat 3 July until Fri 16 July.
ENDS
PHOTOS
Contact us if you would like an additional image to support this story.
NOTES TO EDITORS
2010 International Year of Biodiversity "We are increasingly risking the loss of the very foundation of our own survival. The variety of life on our planet – known as ‘biodiversity’ – gives us our food, clothes, fuel, medicine and much, much more. You may not think that a beetle in your backyard or grass growing by the roadside has a fundamental connection to you - but it does. When even one species is taken out of the intricate web of life, the results can be catastrophic." For this reason, the United Nations has declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity. It is an opportunity to stress the importance of biodiversity for human well-being, reflect on our achievements to safeguard it and encourage a redoubling of our efforts to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss."
The Renfrewshire Heights ‘Special Protection Area’ designated in 2007 by the Scottish Government to recognise the important concentration of breeding Hen Harriers in the central moorland area of the Regional Park. This is the highest level of wildlife protection in the UK. It is based on European Commission legislation. This designation highlights the importance of the natural environment and the uplands of Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. The area covered extends from Muirshiel Visitor Centre over Duchal Moor to the Greenock Cut Visitor Centre and Leap Moor and includes Burnt Hill and Waterhead Moor in North Ayrshire. This puts Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park’s core moorland area on a par with Ben Nevis, the Isle of Rum and ancient woodlands in the Clyde Valley in terms of habitat value for wildlife.
Castle Semple Visitor Centre, Lochlip Road Lochwinnoch PA12 4EA tel 01505 842 882 is open Mon-Sun 10.00 – 17.00 hrs in summer, Greenock Cut Visitor Centre, near Inverkip PA16 9LX tel 01475 521 458 and Muirshiel Visitor Centre, near Lochwinnoch, PA12 4LB tel 01505 842 803 is open Mon-Sun 11:00-16:00 hrs in summer and Sat&Sun in winter providing Countryside Ranger events plus information on walks, wildlife as well as refreshments and a gift shop.
The Clyde Muirshiel Park Authority is a joint committee of Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and North Ayrshire Councils.
Clyde Muirshiel is a member of
AVAA - Ayrshire Visitor Attractions Association, a partnership group working together to develop best practise and promote the wide range and variety of attractions in the area for the benefit of locals and visitors, look out for the ‘Great Days Out Ayrshire’ leaflet or on the website www.greatdaysoutayrshire.com for details of members.
Visit Renfrewshire.com and a great place to find information and good deals on local accommodation, places to eat and other local attractions.
Discover Inverclyde.com This newly launched website provides a one stop location for information on attractions, activities, offers and events for visitors and local alike in the Inverclyde area.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
FIONA CARSWELL Development & Marketing Officer, CMRP tel 01505 614 791
