The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to have profound impacts on how we go about our lives as individuals and as a society. In the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative the health, safety and welfare of our volunteers, staff and wider public is our top priority and we follow the latest Scottish Government advice as to what we should and should not be doing as part of the collective effort to manage the containment of the virus and support the transition out of lockdown.

The Scottish Government has published “Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis” which will guide us through a phased approach out of the lockdown restrictions. We have produced the information below as we move into Phase 1 of the route map which permits outdoor workplaces to resume with physical distancing and other protection measures in place. 

Outdoor conservation work

Our conservation work to control invasive non-native species will be restarting gradually from 01 June - with appropriate adjustments made to enable us to operate safely and in accordance with the current guidance. 

At this stage invasive plant control work will only be undertaken by our own staff and appointed contractors.

We recognise that outdoor volunteering has many positive benefits for both physical and mental wellbeing and we will continue to assess our position regarding volunteer opportunities in invasive plant control.  If, and when, we are able to safely do so we will provide opportunities for volunteers to recommence work with us – currently, however, this is not possible.

We are also able to recommence our work on mink control and will contact volunteers directly about this.  For some this may be something they wish to restart whilst for others this will not be possible.  There is no obligation for any volunteer to restart their involvement with us – we appreciate and value all who volunteer with us, their contributions to our work and the choices they make to help us. 

Group activities, events and outreach work

We must continue to operate in a socially responsible way and not put ourselves or others at potential risk.  So, at the current time, we will not be running any group events or activities, such as school groups, talks, guided walks, meetings or training events.  

Keeping up to date

As and when the Scottish Government confirms that we are moving to the next phase of the route map we will review our position and update our activities accordingly.

You can find our latest response to the coronavirus on our website www.invasivespecies.scot/news

You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Updated; 01 June 2020