Celebrate Glasgow's Botanic Gardens

I visited the Orchid Fair in the Kibble Palace at the Botanic Gardens and enjoyed a walk around the stalls which featured an amazing array of orchids and cacti.

Just as I was about leave to get back out into the sunshine, I noticed an information desk with publications available and decided to have a closer look.

I picked up a brochure published by Plantlife, "The Ghost Orchid Declaration - Saving the UK's Wild Flowers today" which promotes protection of our plants and asks for everyone in the UK to take action to ensure that plant conservation reaches the top of the sustainable development agenda.

"One in five wild flowers in Great Britain today is at risk of extinction"

The rare Ghost Orchid is seen as a emblem of wild flowers that are threatened with extinction. It was thought to have died out but re-appeared after 23 years. It's return has been an amazing boost to the botanical community.

There are three key issues highlighted in the 24-page report. We must invest in plants as wild plants are poor relations of the wildlife world. Protection for plants is needed as evidence shows the network of protected sites are unable to conserve plants and fungi adequately. Working landscapes require to support wildlife. Currently, farmland and woodland landscapes are generally hostile to wild plants. Full details of the report can be found at: http://www.plantlife.org.uk/

I believe that cities such as Glasgow can made a significant difference to the protecting our wildlife. Educational activities and special events are very important to ensure that the general public get to know about wild plants. We need to encourage the next generation of wild flower enthusiasts and fungi experts. 

We must endeavour to help in conserving wildlife and restoring habitats.

I fully support the following statements:

1. Scotland's wildlife and landscape defines who we, the people of Scotland, are.

2. Investing in the conservation of our wildlife today secures a sustainable environment on which our cultural and economic future depends.

3. Conserving wildlife is an effective way to build Scotland's resilience to climate change.

4. Parliament should scrutinise the delivery of wildlife conservation to ensure its success.