COUNCIL bosses have issued a call to help improve Glasgow's natural habitats.

The council is currently seeking the views of the public to support the work of the Ecological Emergency Working Group, which has been convened to find ways to enhance and protect more than 6000 species in the city.

With just over seven days to go until the public consultation closes on March 20, chairwoman of the working group, Councillor Martha Wardrop, is calling upon Glasgow citizens to help shape the city’s response to the emergency.

She said: “Whilst there is an existing green network of nature reserves, woodlands, greenspaces, and public parks which supports protected species, these areas could be enhanced alongside our derelict land, which has become naturalised.

"The findings of the consultation will be crucial in the development of plans to increase partnership working with communities to plant pollinator friendly wildflowers and support nature conservation."

As part of the wider recognition of the climate emergency, the council declared an ecological emergency in May 2019 in the knowledge that up to one million species across the world face extinction because of human actions.

According to the report by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, the loss of pollinating insects and other ecological disasters are no lesser a threat than climate change

The council currently supports the city’s ecology through various initiatives such as the Local Biodiversity Action and Pollinator Plan, the Glasgow Open Space Strategy, Land Management and State of Nature plans.

The effectiveness of these plans in the context of the ecological emergency will be assessed as part of the working group’s remit.

But to assist with the development of any recommendations, Ms Wardrop is seeking people’s suggestions on what actions are needed to enhance habitats for nature and wildlife in Glasgow.

Through the consultation, she is hoping the working group can source the public view on the approach to take to the ecological emergency, how ambitious the working group should be in its outlook and what resources we can draw upon.

Details of the consultation can be found at: tinyurl.com/sj9z9et