#scottishwildlifetrust

Much of the grassland in Ayrshire can be classified as agriculturally improved grassland, meaning it has been significantly modified through farming practices such as fertiliser application, drainage and pesticide application.

The Stinchar Valley has a range of different types of grassland which are dependent upon the underlying geology. Places like the north side of Knockdolian Hill where there are thin soils over outcrops of limestone or serpentine result in base rich or calcareous grassland that supports a very high diversity of flowering plants.

Semi-natural or unimproved neutral grasslands are grasslands that have had little agricultural improvement and are usually managed as pastured or hay meadows. Places like Feoch Meadows near Barrhill are grazed by traditional whitebred shorthorn cattle to encourage a species rich sward with a large number of flowers in the summer months.  Ten varieties of orchid, including the fragrant orchid pictured, have been recorded in the meadows which are also a great place to see grasshoppers, bees and butterflies.

Feoch Meadows is a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve find out more here; https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/feoch-meadows/

I'm very excited to say that #30DaysWild is here for another year. This means I feel duty bound to pick up my blog once more (secretly, I'm excited to have an excuse). 

Things have changed a little since last year. A house move has seen me move from Bishopthorpe back into town (aka York). A lovely house and great to be in the centre of things, but no longer do I have a sweet back garden but a yard, so I’ll be trying my best to turn that into a wildlife haven... 

Also, I'm no longer Communications Officer at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, but have moved onto pastures new: these days I work as Communications Manager for the IUCN UK Peatland Programme. It was very sad saying goodbye, although in truth it wasn’t a final farewell, as the programme is hosted by Yorkshire and Scottish Wildlife Trust.

My new role means I don’t get out and about ‘in the field’ quite as much as I used to (despite quite a bit of UK travel), although the odd visit to a peat bog does arise. These days I’m focussed on promoting peatland restoration in the UK for the multiple benefits this extra-special habitat provides us all - a carbon store (helping to keep climate change in check), a drinking water filter, a haven for rare and intriguing wildlife, a place to slow the flow of water into streams and rivers after heavy rainfall etc... These are just some of the services peatlands offer us all.

On the third day of Christmas, we are celebrating working in Cumbernauld.

As part of the #LivingWindow project in 2014, six green spaces within the Cumbernauld Living Landscape area were chosen to be celebrated in contemporary artworks created by three talented young artists in Scotland. They were installed in the Antonine Centre and Cumbernauld Centre ; bringing the outside into big indoor public spaces.

More recently, we have been working on #GreenRoutes project in working with Collective Architecture to look at the transformation of the centre of Cumbernauld and its links to surrounding communities by creating green routes which are accessible, safe and enjoyable. 

Cumbernauld Green Routes is a feasibility project part of the Cumbernauld Living Landscape program . It is looking to transform the centre of Cumbernauld and its links to surrounding communities by creating green routes which are accessible, safe and enjoyable. The feasibility project is investigating at the quality of the existing routes and how they could be improved for people and wildlife.

We are excited to be working with Collective Architecture, Scottish Wildlife Trust, and AECOM on the project.

Collective Architecture was established to pursue themes of participation and sustainability in architecture. Our output is highly varied, ranging from intimate community installations to large scale urban regeneration. Over the past 18 years we have successfully delivered a series of important projects spread across the UK.

For 50 years, the Scottish Wildlife Trust has worked with its members, partners and supporters in pursuit of its vision of healthy, resilient ecosystems across Scotland’s land and seas.The Trust successfully champions the cause of wildlife through policy and campaigning work, demonstrates best practice through practical conservation and innovative partnerships, and inspires people to take positive action through its education and engagement activities.The Trust manages a network of 120 wildlife reserves across Scotland and is a member of the UK-wide Wildlife Trusts movement.

AECOM apply creative vision, technical expertise, interdisciplinary insight, and local experience to address complex challenges in new and better ways.They help clients deliver critical resources and services, improve the places where people live and work, and sustain a world in which we can all flourish. They are the ecologists on the project.

Our research into Cumbernauld’s Green Routes began on the ground. Earlier this week, we accompanied local walking groups along three key routes, using their knowledge and experience to gain an understanding of how the Green Routes are used currently.

Through October and November there will be several wee green boxes around the town just waiting to hear your views.  

Get your hands on one of our postcards and tell us about your green routes alternatively download the post card and send it to [email protected] 

Next week, on Tuesday 27th October, we will also be holding a launch event. Come join us at the launch event in Cumbernauld Town Hall between 5-8 pm on Tuesday 27th October and get the conversation started. There will be a number of creative workshops for you to get involved in and fun games for the kids. 

Following on the launch event, we will be working with several community groups to explore in more detail the key themes raised by the local people of Cumbernauld about the Green Routes.  If your or your group would like to be involved contact [email protected].

Rounding up the consultation process, the charrette will involve local stakeholders and members of community in a series of design-led workshops. Held on the 1st December this collaborative process is an opportunity to visualise what Green Routes might look like in the future.

New Post has been published on http://www.covergap.com/?p=136307

National Juniper Day

Experts and volunteers at the AJRP donned masks on National Juniper Day to highlight the juniper’s historic role as a deterrant against bubonic plague. Italian doctors would wear venetian masks filled with juniper berries in a bid to immunise themselves from the disease.