Day: May 23, 2025

ScottishPower Foundation celebrates Citizen Science on the shores of St Andrews  

St Andrews Rock pool BioBlitz, SPEN

Hermit crabs and sea hares were among the first finds within St Andrews’ rock pools as a community-driven initiative, part funded by the ScottishPower Foundation, hosted its debut Scottish BioBlitz event.   

The Big Rock Pool Challenge blends citizen science with coastal exploration to protect and celebrate marine biodiversity. Delivered by The Rock Pool Project, the initiative has received support from the ScottishPower Foundation, which will award up to £600,000 over the next three years from its Marine Biodiversity Fund.  

St Andrews Rock pool BioBlitz, SPEN

Coinciding with UK Invasive Species Week, hermit crabs and sea hares were amongst the top discoveries by the team of volunteers and locals from the community on the shores of East Sands Beach, as the project begins to build a snapshot of what animals and plants call the nation’s rock pools home.   

One of four events taking place across the UK, the Big Rock Pool Challenge: National BioBlitz 2025 is encouraging local communities to visit their local rock pools as part of UK Invasive Species Week, from 17 to 25 May, and into the summer months to uncover the marine life hidden there, and log their findings on the iNaturalist app.  

This real time data is enabling the Rock Pool Project – in partnership with the Marine Biological Association – to monitor species along the nation’s coastlines, helping scientists to understand how invasive species are spreading and how to better protect native wildlife by taking action sooner.   

St Andrews Rock pool BioBlitz, SPEN

Melanie Hill, Executive Officer and Trustee at the ScottishPower Foundation, said: “It’s been fantastic joining The Rock Pool Project team in St. Andrews for the first official event in Scotland.   

“The project is one which truly encapsulates the ethos of the Marine Biodiversity Fund, bringing communities together and inspiring and educating people across the country to strive to leave the environment in a better place for generations to come.”  

Established in 2021, the Marine Biodiversity Fund was created as a lasting legacy of COP26, the environmental climate conference, which was hosted in the ScottishPower Foundation’s home city of Glasgow.

St Andrews Rock pool BioBlitz, SPEN

Offering multi-year support to a project which contributes to the broader global agenda for environmental sustainability, the fund aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and aims to leave a positive legacy for future generations.   

The Rock Pool Project is the second initiative to be supported by the fund and will focus on UK coastal wildlife conservation through volunteer-led monthly local marine wildlife events across the country to foster communities with a passion for local marine conservation.

The project will provide comprehensive training and support to enable volunteers to lead these events, building capacity and community ownership.  

St Andrews Rock pool BioBlitz, SPEN

Dr Ben Holt, CEO of The Rock Pool Project said: “As with many of the UK’s rock pools, we’ve found East Sands Beach to be teeming with fascinating marine life. There is, however, more to be done as much of the UK’s rock pools remain unrecorded.   

“The support from the ScottishPower Foundation is enabling the project to reach even more people across the country and to help us to build a vital snapshot of what’s living in our rock pools, and how that’s changing. Plus, it’s a great way to connect with nature while doing something that really matters.”  

St Andrews Rock pool BioBlitz, SPEN

Dan Lear, Head of Data and Information at the Marine Biological Association said: “The data captured and shared at the events running in St. Andrews and across UK Invasive Species Week increases the available evidence to support our stewardship of the marine environment.  

“All the data is shared with UK, European and global agencies, showing how a single species record can contribute to international policy development.”  

The national campaign continues across the UK between 20 – 26 May with events in Plymouth, Falmouth and Brighton, all open to the public with more information on how to take part here: https://www.therockpoolproject.co.uk/national-bioblitz  

Ahead of the summer months, The Rock Pool Project is encouraging communities to join its volunteer-led monthly local marine wildlife events across the country with more information here: https://www.therockpoolproject.co.uk/   

First Minister calls for national mission to raise living standards

Swinney says Winter Fuel Payment must be restored

The UK needs a national mission to raise living standards and provide people with hope that things will get easier, starting with the restoration of a Winter Fuel Payment to all pensioner households, First Minister John Swinney has said.

Speaking ahead of talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in London, the First Minister said he will press for action to help people struggling with the ongoing cost of living crisis, amid increasing inflation and international economic instability.

Mr Swinney said the first action of the UK Government must be to accept the cut to the Winter Fuel Payment was wrong and announce a restoration so all pensioners get a payment.

The First Minster said people need to believe things can get easier and that he plans to raise specific concerns relating to Scotland’s economy with the Prime Minister which could help accelerate economic growth.

This includes the impact on Scotland of the recently announced UK-US trade deal, the agreement reached with the European Union, Carbon Capture and the case for a bespoke migration policy for Scotland.

Mr Swinney will be in London for a programme of meetings, including a bilateral with the Prime Minister, a multilateral with the First Minister of Wales, First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, and a plenary session of the Council of Nations and Regions.

First Minister John Swinney said: “People across the UK are living through a period of huge uncertainty and for some, that is undermining the trust they have in government.

“Cutting the winter fuel payment saw the UK Government breaking promises and removing vital financial support for some of the most vulnerable in our society. Having effectively conceded the argument by announcing a partial U-turn, the Prime Minister should accept the cut was wrong and restore a universal winter fuel payment.

“In Scotland, we are introducing universal winter heating payments through our Cost of Living Guarantee. This will see payment made to all pensioner households, with the poorest receiving the most support which is fair amid ongoing pressures.

“If the UK government want to provide people with hope that things will get easier, the Prime Minister should restore the winter fuel payment as part of a new national mission to raise living standards.

“I will raise this issue with him alongside other critical issues, including our proposal for a Scottish Graduate Visa, Carbon Capture and what impacts recent trade deals will have on Scottish producers and businesses.

“We are willing to work with him and the UK Government, but the question is whether he is willing to work with Scotland and give people hope that a better future is possible.”

The First Minister will hold bilateral talks with the Prime Minister in London today – Friday 23 May.

The First Minister is then due to join the First Minister of Wales, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland for further talks, before joining a meeting of the UK Government’s Council of Nations and Regions.