Further biodiversity progress in city set out

Progress made over the last year to enhance Dundee’s biodiversity is set to be put before city councillors next week in a new report.

In common with other Scottish local authorities, Dundee City Council has a legal duty to further the conservation of biodiversity. Dundee’s Biodiversity Action Plan describes how the Council fulfils this duty.

Dundee’s Biodiversity Action Plan seeks to protect and enhance the city’s biodiversity thus helping to reduce and mitigate against the effects of climate change. The Plan focuses action on valuable urban ecosystems, habitats & species and ensures the prioritisation of resources at a local level.

Highlights in the report from the past year include:

• In 2024/25, over £100,000 was allocated to six projects through the city’s Climate Fund with three projects specifically benefiting the city’s biodiversity, namely Campy Growers, Creative Gardens and Dawson Park Community Garden (Scottish Association for Mental Health). This builds on the previous £750,000 distributed between 2022 and 2024;

• Biodiversity profiles have been developed for all of Dundee City Council’s wards, with a Story Map created to display the information;

• Trees for Cities funding enabled the planting of over 2,200 native trees in Templeton Woods and 20 standard trees in Baxter Park;

• Revitalised planting schemes were implemented to support biodiversity and climate resilience at V&A Dundee;

• Enhancements at Stobsmuir Ponds, which included the installation of vegetation rafts;
• New planters at Lochee, sheltered housing in Dryburgh and along Princes Street which incorporate planting for biodiversity.

Climate, Environment & Biodiversity Committee Convener Cllr Heather Anderson said: “The progress that continues to be made in the city towards enhancing biodiversity is down to the great work being carried out by Council officers, community groups and partner organisations.

“Despite the absence of Nature Restoration Funding (NRF) for 2024/25, Dundee continues to lead on urban biodiversity enhancement by delivering a wide range of projects committed to protecting and improving Dundee’s natural environment.

“This is in no small part down to the positive levels of engagement from the community, including an estimated 1,377 participants took part in 77 litter picks and around 389 children from 26 schools were involved in Countryside Ranger Service environmental education initiatives last year.

“Looking ahead, the Council plans to proceed with a full review of the Biodiversity Action Plan in 2026, incorporating updated legislation and community input.

“The reinstated NRF for 2025/26 aligns with new projects in the city, such as the Dighty Restoration and St Mary’s Drainage Strategy which aims to improve biodiversity, flood resilience, and community wellbeing.”

The report also mentioned the following achievements in 2024/25:

• Previously seeded grassland areas along Lochee Road and the Esplanade in Broughty Ferry have successfully flowered, creating visually striking displays while providing valuable habitats for pollinators;
• Wildlife monitoring confirmed the presence of pine martens, badgers, and beavers within the city, demonstrating the effectiveness of Dundee’s developing Nature Network;
• All seven Green Flag sites were assessed, and all retained their Green Flag status;
• Broughty Ferry Beach was successful in achieving the Keep Scotland Beautiful Beach Award, retaining an excellent standard of bathing water quality, as measured by SEPA;
• Resurfacing works of the Templeton Woods car park also took place, improving visitor access to this important biodiversity site.

The annual progress report will go to the Council’s Climate, Environment & Biodiversity Committee on Monday 18^th August 2025 and can be viewed in full on the Dundee City Council website.