Nature and wildlife conservation
East Ayrshire has a rich diversity of flora and fauna with lots of important sites for biodiversity, many of which have been given official land designations, which are awarded to protect areas containing or representing the best of Scotland’s biodiversity.
Sites of Specific Scientific Interest
Sites of Special Scientific Interest represent the best of Scotland’s natural heritage. They are ‘special’ for their plants, animals or habitats, their rocks or landforms, or a combination of these.
There are 21 SSSIs in East Ayrshire including Dalmellington Moss, Ness Glen and Glenbuck Loch.
Special Protection Area (SPA)
A Special Protection Area (SPA) is a site designated under the Birds Directive. These sites, together with Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), are internationally important for threatened habitats and species. SPAs are home to a number of rare, threatened or vulnerable bird species and regularly occurring migratory species.
East Ayrshire contains one SPA, the Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands SPA. This designation was awarded to protect its variety of blanket bog, wet and dry heath and upland grassland and for its international importance for the breeding of hen harrier, short eared owls, merlin, peregrine and golden plovers.
Special Conservation Area (SCA)
There are two Special Areas of Conservation designated within East Ayrshire at Airds Moss and Merrick Kells.
Conservation projects with East Ayrshire Countryside Rangers
East Ayrshire Countryside Rangers work with schools, groups, nurseries and the public on various practical conservation tasks throughout the year including habitat creation and tree planting.
Cultural and Countryside Services
The Palace Theatre
9 Green Street
Kilmarnock
East Ayrshire
KA1 3BN