TCV Scotland Network Bulletin Spring 2016

www.tcv.org.uk/scotland

netw rk bulletin spring 2016

for TCV Scotland’s community Network

Active in Alva Glen – more inside

Illuminating Alva Glen

By Claire Templeton, Alva Glen Heritage Trust

www.facebook.com/AlvaGlenHT TONY MAINWOOD/BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION SCOTLAND

Thinning ash to improve the habitat for the Northern Brown Argus.

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lva Glen is located in Alva, Clackmannanshire, at the foot of the Ochil Hills. Formerly a mill town, Alva has a population of around 4,700, with a good range of local shops and cafes. It’s a popular destination for visitors looking for easy access to the stunning landscape and views of the Ochil Hills. Caring for this green gem is the aim of local people belonging to the Alva Glen Heritage Trust.

In the lower area of the glen known as McArthur Braes there are picnic tables and interpretation boards and some interesting and unique installations, including ‘Alvor’

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In 2003 a group of local residents got together with a plan to re-establish the Alva Glen Illuminations – a fabulous show of lights strung from tree to tree in the lower glen. An annual event which was first undertaken in 1937 to celebrate the coronation of King George VI, the event’s popularity eventually led to its demise in 1954 as Alva struggled to cope with the many thousands of visitors it attracted. The

Alva Glen Illuminations were re-introduced 50 years later in 2004 by the group that developed into Alva Glen Heritage Trust, now a registered charity since 2005.

The Illuminations are now a bi-annual event attracting 3000 or more visitors to an evening dedicated to celebrating the glen and the community. Volunteers are crucial to the success of the event and it can’t be stressed enough how important it is for people to come forward and sign-up to help out for a day or an hour – whether before, during or after the event. The 2016 Illuminations are occurring on Saturday 17th September, so mark it in your diary, and if you do fancy helping out, email me at Claire83a@aol.com AGHT

For most visitors their starting point to Alva Glen is the car park on the northern edge of the town. From here paths lead through the lower area of the glen on both sides of the Alva Burn, converging at the first waterfall which is just minutes from the entrance.

Above the waterfall the path leads up into the wilder glen gorge before opening up again as the path zig-zags up the hill side. This area is open and sunny and is a breeding site for the locally rare Northern Brown Argus butterfly, a Priority Species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Smugglers cave is not far from the top of the zig-zag path, where in days gone by an illicit trade in whisky made the hills a hive of activity.

Access to the hill tops couldn’t be easier and whilst some return by the same route, others take a circular route down the front of the hill. And some folk head off through the hills heading north, or cut across the front of the hills to the Silver Glen.

the chainsaw-carved representation of a Neolithic former resident of the glen, and the huge sensory Cybergongs! Through years of hard work and with funding from various organisations, volunteers from Alva Glen Heritage Trust (AGHT) have brought this area back to life.

The Northern Brown Argus – one of the specialities found in Alva Glen.

The Alva Illuminations in the good old days.

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AGHT

Time for tea.

Claire Templeton sorting seed bombs.

Volunteers can get involved with the Trust in a number of different ways – some just like to help out at the Illuminations, whilst some prefer to get stuck in doing jobs such as scrub clearance, planting and path maintenance during our regular workdays held on the first Sunday of each month (11am till 1pm). Others like researching the history of the glen, or help support the Trust’s future by working on strategy or funding. A new website is under construction, but for current details of events, workshops and training, head to our Facebook page (above).

Training is available for all our volunteers and can be carried out in the glen, organised by AGHT, as in the case of our recent dry stone walling training, or at other venues through organisations such as TCV. I’ve attended many training events delivered by TCV, including workshops on Lichens and Ponds & Wetlands, and How to Involve Young People. Passing on what we’ve learnt is key, allowing us to care for the glen and its flora and fauna, such as the previously mentioned Northern Brown Argus butterfly, and the Sticky catchfly plant, which is classified as ‘Near Threatened’.

As partners in the Ochils Landscape Partnership, a project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, we have completed a variety of projects in the glen, not least of which was to preserve and interpret the Mill Lade, one of the few remaining structures relating to the glens’ industrial past. Our

Spring 2016

Alva Burn flowing through the glen.

volunteers learned a great deal from these projects and gained great satisfaction from seeing the substantial improvements we were able to make.

Last year, AGHT in association with Alva Community Council, were awarded £4000 by the Big Lottery Fund and Grow Wild to work in partnership with Ochil Community Garden and Clackmannanshire Youth Services to celebrate and plant Scottish wild flowers and native plants. Seeds and plants grown-on at Ochil Community Garden were planted in Alva Glen and along a new cycle/leisure path. We will continue this work, gathering and sowing more seeds from year to year.

Some projects simply continue whilst others are short-lived, with the results being achieved fairly quickly. Others like The Ochil Landscape Partnership has developed into another entity, now known as EPIC – ‘Enabling Projects in Clackmannanshire, Supporting Communities’ Looking forward, Alva Glen Heritage Trust will continue its conservation and environmental work. We’re looking to build on the success of our partnership working, facilitating the engagement of younger age groups and developing new ideas for a sustainable future for the Trust and for Alva Glen.

Clearing gorse beside the path in the upper glen.

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JOHN McFARLANE

Developing Natural Networks

The trainees enjoyed a day visit to Loch Goil in Argyll including tree planting – see opposite.

By Tim Lewis, Team Leader

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Commenced in January 2015, Natural Networks is providing 32 year-long and work-based training placements with partner organisations in locations across the UK. The programme is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and during each placement the trainees learn skills in: • The development of green networks • Surveying, managing and improving local greenspace for biodiversity • Engaging and supporting local and ‘under-represented’ communities to understand, enjoy and protect their green places Nine of the 2016 intake of trainees are working in Central Scotland: • Carolyn McFarlane is based in Kilmarnock and is delivering TCV’s Natural Learning Programme to schools in East Ayrshire. (c.mcfarlane@tcv.org.uk)

Tim Lewis

n early 2016 a fresh batch of trainees were appointed to TCV’s innovative Natural Networks training programme which supports communities to understand, value and protect their greenspaces, and develop them as a valuable part of local and national ‘green’ networks.

At the start of their placements the new trainees from the Natural Networks and Natural Talent programmes met at TCV Edinburgh for an induction session.

• Emma Straughan is based with Glasgow & Clyde Valley Green Network and is working alongside them to provide opportunities to enhance greenspace in their Strategic Delivery Areas. (e.straughan@tcv.org.uk) • Paul Barclay is based with the Scottish Wildlife Trust as part of the Cumbernauld Living Landscape project. Paul’s role is to build on the work of previous TCV trainees to demonstrate how engagement with the green network can be used as a tool to improve health and wellbeing. (p.barclay@tcv.org.uk)

• Jenny Holmes is also based in Kilmarnock delivering the Natural Learning Programme to schools in East Ayrshire. (jennifer.holmes@tcv.org.uk)

• Giovanna Bisoni is based with the Central Scotland Green Network Trust in Shotts and is using spatial analysis to target those communities most disadvantaged in terms of access to greenspace. (g.bisoni@tcv.org.uk)

• Stephen Porch is based at Pollok Park in Glasgow and is working alongside Glasgow City Council staff to raise awareness of the biodiversity value of the White Cart Water and its tributaries. (s.porch@tcv.org.uk)

• David Walsh is based with Buglife in Stirling and is working to promote Fife’s Buzzing – a wildflower meadow creation project to community groups and schools across Fife, with a focus on deprived areas. (d.walsh@tcv.org.uk)

• Jess Owen is based in the TCV Glasgow office and is focussing on Citizen Science in woodlands. Jess will split her time with the Forestry Commission Scotland later in the year. (j.owen@tcv.org.uk)

• Lucy Graham is based in the TCV Edinburgh office and is focussed on developing and sharing experience of projects centred on ‘green health in later life’. (l.graham@tcv.org.uk)

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So, all of the Natural Networks trainees will be busy in the months ahead developing their particular projects. For further information about any of their placements, contact the relevant trainee, or Tim Lewis, Team Leader, at t.lewis@tcv.org.uk

Developing Natural Talent In addition to Natural Networks, TCV also runs the Natural Talent programme which aims of increase expertise across the UK to protect our lesser known species and other aspects of the environment. Natural Talent is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and currently has two Scottish based trainees: • Rebecca Cairns is based in Edinburgh with the Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA). Rebecca is primarily learning how to identify aphids which are vectors (carriers) of plant viruses, some of which can seriously damage seed potatoes which are an important part of Scottish agriculture. (r.cairns@tcv.org.uk) • Katherine Whyte is based at the National Museums of Scotland in Edinburgh and is working on increasing the knowledge and awareness of conservation efforts of saline lagoons. These are a relatively understudied habitat found around our coastlines, particularly the Scottish islands. (k.whyte@tcv.org.uk) More information about Rebecca and Katherine’s traineeships can be found at blogs.tcv.org.uk/natural-talent

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Tree-mendous effort in Argyll

The Argyll planting took place on the hill tops and slopes above Carrick Farm, by Loch Goil, and was the largest single scheme in the 2015/16 I Dig Trees Programme. The project was very much a partnership and involved the landowner, Tilhill Forestry, plus specialist woodland charity Highland Birchwoods, whose staff also supported us throughout the planting period. The trees were all native species of local provenance and included a mix of Downy Birch, Goat Willow, Rowan and Oak.

Golden Eagle: CC Tony Hisgett. Main picture: Graeme anderson. left: CLARE STREET

A hardy group of TCV staff and volunteers braved some atrocious winter weather in January and February to plant 11,000 trees in Argyll. Their fantastic efforts were part of the TCV ‘I Dig Trees Programme’ organised with OVO Energy, which saw 157,000 trees planted at locations throughout the UK.

Graeme Anderson, TCV Scotland Operations Leader, said:

“Thanks to everyone who was involved in this demanding project. The 11,000 new trees will help create a patchwork of glades and open areas enhancing the upland woodland fringe. Loch Goil is regarded by many as the most scenic area in Argyll and, some would say, in Scotland.

This is Golden Eagle country and we’re delighted to add to its beauty and biodiversity.”

photos: Graeme anderson

Spring 2016

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Wall to wall

Find out more TCV publishes a comprehensive handbook on the history and practice of drystone walling.

Dry Stone Walling – a practical handbook is available from TCV’s official handbook stockist Summerfield Books at www.summerfieldbooks.com In future TCV intends to have all of our practical handbook series, including Dry Stone Walling, available as downloads from the TCV website.

The Dry Stone Walling Association produces some free walling leaflets and stocks a selection of DVDs and walling books, including TCV’s walling handbook. Details at www.dswa.org.uk

A lichen covered dyke.

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ne of the most familiar features of the British landscape are the thousands of miles of drystone walls which bound our farms and forests, and snake over our moors and hillsides.

Drystone walls, or drystane dykes as they are usually known here in Scotland, have been used as field boundaries for hundreds of years, most having been built between 100-300 years ago. But this construction technique goes back far further than that.

Many of our ancient monuments such as the impressive brochs found mainly in the northern Highlands and Islands, were built using drystone techniques approximately 2,000 years ago.

As the term suggests, drystone walling doesn’t use cement or mortar to bind the stones together. Rather, it is the weight and careful positioning of the stones which create a stable structure. The advantage of a drystone wall is that it is strong and durable and so can withstand livestock, whilst providing them with shelter from wind and snow. The disadvantage of drystone walls are the time and cost required to build them. So, in recent decades most new field boundaries have been of post and wire fencing which is far quicker and cheaper to erect. Today, most drystane dyking is concerned with repairing damaged or neglected sections of existing walls rather than erecting new dykes, although there are exceptions (see opposite).

and has approximately one tonne of stone for every metre length. There are many regional variations and styles of wall found throughout the UK, which largely depends on the type of stone found locally.

The basic equipment required for dyking is very simple – a walling hammer to shape or ‘dress’ stone edges, a sledgehammer (and goggles) to break up larger stones, plus a batter frame with string and walling pins.

And ideally a pair of steel-capped boots if (when!) a stone is dropped, plus a First Aid kit with plasters for the inevitable minor nicks and cuts.

Not just field walls In addition to regular field and boundary walls, drystone techniques are also used for retaining walls, raised planting beds, seating and other features. In recent years walling has been given a contemporary twist as skilled craftsmen and women have created striking new drystone features

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Home sweet home The many crooks and crannies of a drystone wall mean it is an ideal habitat for a wide range of insects, small mammals, reptiles and birds, all of which can find food and shelter. And old wall faces can host a variety of lichens and mosses, whilst wildflowers and other plants can find a foothold in many a wall crevice.

Try your hand If you would like to have a go at drystane dyking, you can pick up the basic techniques on one of the courses run by the Dry Stone Walling Association (above) which has regional branches across the UK. And TCV Scotland occasionally runs drystane dyking training courses. Our course in April is fully booked but we may hold another one in the autumn. You can keep in touch with any courses coming up through our monthly ebulletin – see back page.

Today there are a small number of professional wallers keeping this traditional countryside craft alive, which is also the aim of the Dry Stone Walling Association.

And in recent years walling has been a popular activity for conservation volunteers keen to solve this puzzle in stone.

A dry stone wall usually stands approximately 4.5 to 5.5 feet in height

for gardens and public spaces. And community and environmental groups such as Alva Glen Heritage Trust (page 2-3) are increasingly getting involved with dyking projects. Stone is also one of the natural materials used by artists and environmental sculptors such as Dumfriesshire based Andy Goldsworthy who responds to the landscape and materials that he encounters. It’s difficult to describe the range of Andy’s work, so it’s well worth a Google!

On-site training

A dyke of rounded boulders at Muir of Dinnet, Aberdeenshire.

If your community group or project has a dyking project in mind, TCV may be able to co-ordinate a dyking course for your members and volunteers at your site. To discuss the possibilities contact Tricia Burden: t.burden@tcv.org.uk

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The Kinneil dykers (from left to right): Reiss Geary, Dee Ross, Marco Johnstone, Daniel Morgan, Connor Montgomery, Mason Scobbie and Kyle Craigie.

The young ones A group of seven young lads are currently taking part in a training programme to teach them the basic skills of drystane dyking. Commencing in January 2016 the trainees, all aged between 16 and 19 years old, are spending six months on the project which is located at the Kinneil Estate, between Grangemouth and Bo’ness, close to the Firth of Forth.

Here the trainees, under the supervision of Bo Couch, Senior Project Officer, are building a 100 metre stretch of drystone wall. The group is also benefitting from the experience of rural crafts instructor Peter Holmes who joins the project at regular intervals to work with the trainees and assess their progress.

Supervisor Bo Couch with trainee Reiss Geary.

Dee Ross adjusting the string line.

Spring 2016

The programme is funded by Falkirk Council, Falkirk Environment Trust, Heritage Lottery Fund and the Inner Forth Landscape Initiative. An unusual aspect of the project is that the group are constructing a completely new stretch of wall rather than the more usual repair job

undertaken by professional wallers and agricultural contractors. And the trainees will try their hand at special wall features such as a lunky hole, steps, and shelves for bee ketches.

As the programme progresses the trainees are working towards a Drystone Dyking Level 1 Certificate, and at its conclusion they will also receive an Employability Award. The programme’s main aim is to improve the trainees’ job prospects in the conservation and land-based sectors.

Comments from seventeen year old Reiss Geary were typical of the trainees: “When I heard about this, the course sounded good. I like doing practical stuff outdoors so this is good experience. After this I’d like to get an apprenticeship.”

At the end of the programme the trainees will have left behind a fine example of the countryside craft of drystane dyking for all to see, and provided themselves with better prospects for the future.

Instructor Peter Holmes and Connor Montgomery solving the stone jigsaw.

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photos: Three Hares Community Woodland

First steps for the Three Hares

By Jess Raine, Co-founder, Three Hares Community Woodland

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hree Hares Community Woodland is located on Crown Estate land between Roslin and Auchendinny, in Midlothian. The 18 acre site is bordered by the North Esk and an old railway, now a much used public walkway. Three Hares Woodland CIC* has, for a peppercorn rent, secured a lease for at least five years, with the intention of setting up a Community Woodland dedicated to improving biodiversity, education, and health.

This is a project that is very much in its early stages, with jobs like improving access, creating pathways and tree planting high upon the ‘to do’ list. A Permaculture Woodland Design course, led by Cofounder James Chapman, took place over two weekends in December and January to get the design process started. This included identifying a great many ideas of what could potentially happen on the land, what could be planted, what activities could take place and what kind of shelter may be required. A tree and wildflower scheme was created, as were plans for coppicing sycamore, hazel and willow.

A frosty day in December also hailed the first Three Hares Annual General Picnic, where people who were interested in becoming members could come along for a site tour, find out about the project, chat about how they could be involved, and generally get inspired. It was a much enjoyed day, with a great turnout of 80

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people, with fire and music to help keep everyone warm!

It is hoped that the Three Hares Community Woodland will become an invaluable asset to the local communities.

The aim is to engage with local schools with a focus on environmental education and to get local people involved to help instill a sense of stewardship of the land.

This in turn can also lead to better physical and mental health, by spending time in green space, as well as creating a positive impact on the environment.

The Three Hares organisers intend to compile an events list for the future that will include; walks and talks with topics such as foraging, tree and plant identification; identifying herbal medicines; bushcraft; storytelling and music; green woodwork and crafts; permaculture and regular volunteer days. By getting in touch with Three Hares it may also be possible for your event to be held on the land. With the Community Woodland being such a short commute from Edinburgh, it is easily accessed for those who wish to get out of the city for a day or weekend and volunteer, attend a workshop, or just enjoy the space.

The project will at first be fully dependent on funding, until it manages to generate some income that will go directly back into the woodland. Three Hares have been

awarded some funding from the Chestnut Fund, through TCV, which has helped pay for public liability insurance and has enabled the purchase of some tools. This has been a good starting boost to get the Community Woodland up and running.

A planning meeting was held on 13th March on the land, where members had the opportunity to be involved in the initial planning stages of the woodland, with identified ‘clusters’ or groups of jobs that required consideration, inspiration and implementation. This was a unique opportunity to be involved in the shaping of a community woodland. The next event at the woodland will be a tree planting day, details of which will be put on our website when the date is confirmed.

If you would like to find out more about Three Hares Community Woodland, or become a volunteer or member, please visit www.three-hares-woodland.org *Community Interest Company

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CLAIRE MCINTYRE/WITCH CREATIONS

The Lesser Spotted Nurdle

By Madeleine Berg, Projects Officer, Fidra

Nurdles collected on North Berwick beach, with the famous Bass Rock in the background.

What is a nurdle?

Nurdles are small plastic pellets, about the size of a lentil. They are the raw material for virtually all the plastic products we use, melted down to form anything from plastic bottles to bins. Because they are so small and lightweight, nurdles can easily be spilled accidentally as they are produced, transported and processed by industry, and can find their way quickly down the drain and into our marine environment.

Once in the sea, nurdles are quick to cause trouble. Their similarity in size to fish eggs means they are often eaten by marine animals including mammals, birds and fish.

The pellets get trapped in their stomachs making them unnaturally full and stopping them from eating real food1,2. The plastic pellets attract pollutants found in sea water to their surfaces, which can concentrate these toxins to levels millions of times higher than the surrounding water3. These can be released back into the animals that eat them, building up to toxic levels and having the potential to transfer up the food chain4.

What can we do about it?

Although we can’t hope to collect all the nurdles that have already been spilled, we can stop more nurdles entering the sea.

That’s why Fidra has been talking directly

Spring 2016

CATHY SEXTON

Have you ever spotted a nurdle?

Tiny and elusive, yet sadly common around our coastline, they can be found in their millions on beaches around Britain...

Nurdles close up, only 2-5mm in diameter.

with industry to ask them to commit to ending further nurdle pollution into our seas. But we need your help to show industry the scale of the problem.

Join The Great Nurdle Hunt!

We need volunteers to hunt for nurdles on beaches around Britain, to populate our online nurdle map and highlight nurdle hotspots. Together we can show where the hot spots are and demonstrate that we’d like to see a change. You can hunt for nurdles when you’re out walking the dog, as an activity with your local community group, or as part of a big beach clean. You don’t need to collect them! All we need to know is where you hunted, how long for, and how many nurdles you found. As a warning to you – nurdle hunting can be addictive – you may all be nurdle nerds before too long!

To find out more about nurdle pollution and how you can get involved, visit www.nurdlehunt.org.uk. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

1 2 3

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Tips for your hunt: Nurdles are hard to spot!

Slow down and get close to the ground.

Look among seaweed and small pieces of plastic above the tideline.

Other places to look are on sheltered paths and amongst vegetation at the top of the beach.

It’s easier to hunt on sandy beaches.

Avoid beaches that are mechanically cleaned.

If you do choose to collect your nurdles, please use gloves and/ or tweezers, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

The Great Nurdle Hunt is run by Fidra (an SCIO and Scottish Registered Charity SCO43895).

Azzarello and Van Vleet (1987) Marine birds and plastic pollution, Marine Ecology – Progress Series Vol 37: 295-303.

Derraik (2002) The Pollution of the marine environment by plastic debris: a review. Marine Pollution Bulletin 44: 842-952 Rochman et al (2013) Ingested plastic transfers hazardous chemicals to fish and induces hepatic stress. Scientific Reports 3, article number 3263.

Browne et al (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms, reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity. Current Biology 23, 2388-2392.

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Bringing back Scotland’s urban butterflies

A few of the butterflies you may come across in Central Scotland’s urban environments:

Volunteer recorders wanted The Urban Butterfly Project will be supporting new butterfly recorders by running a series of training workshops in central Scotland over the next three years.

These workshops will train volunteers how to identify and record all of the common species of butterfly found nearby.

Volunteers will be encouraged to survey a local area two or three times through the spring and summer, using the handy identification (ID) guide produced for this project. Unlike some of the other types of butterfly survey, this one is fairly quick to conduct, taking only an hour or so for each survey. You could even do it on your lunch break!

Common Blue

ID training workshops are taking place in Glasgow, Stirling, Falkirk and Fife this May and June, but visit the project website below to find out if there’s anything else happening near you. If you aren’t able to make it to one of the workshops, you can still use the free ID guide and recorders’ pack that Butterfly Conservation can send to anyone interested in helping.

Groups such as ‘Friends of..’, parks groups, gardening clubs, and any others are also

very welcome to take part.

The records gained through this project will be used to inform the charity’s conservation work in Scotland. By understanding which species are using which urban spaces, work can be done to improve those sites for butterflies by planting wildflowers or managing the vegetation.

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Small Tortoiseshell

ROBERT THOMPSON/BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION SCOTLAND

Urban areas can be surprisingly good places to see butterflies, which make their homes in greenspaces such as parks, gardens, allotments and local nature reserves. Even ‘brownfield’ sites which are often seen as derelict can be fantastic places for butterflies as they can be rich in wildflowers and have plenty of space for butterflies to bask in the sun.

These areas may

be more important for butterflies than ever, as Butterfly Conservation’s ‘State of UK Butterflies 2015’ report has recently revealed that some of our commonest species have declined greatly in the countryside over the past decade.

IAIN COWE/BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION SCOTLAND

How many species of butterfly can you name? Most people are aware of the ‘white butterflies’ that can be found in gardens, or may have found a hibernating Small Tortoiseshell in their homes or garden shed.

But Scotland has 32 species of resident butterfly, and the Glasgow area alone has more than 20 species. Now Butterfly Conservation Scotland wants your help to find out which species are making their homes in your area with its new Urban Butterfly Project.

BRIAN PARK/BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION SCOTLAND

TCV Scotland’s Head office in Stirling is home to several environmental tenants, including Butterfly Conservation Scotland which has an exciting new project as outlined here by Anthony McCluskey, Urban Butterfly Project Officer.

Orange-tip

The Urban Butterfly Project is supported

by Scottish Natural Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

To find out more visit www.butterflyconservation.org/urbanbutterflies

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Culloden and Smithton Local People Programme

Facebook: Culloden and Smithton – Local People Programme Twitter: @Cull_Smith_LPP Streetlife: Culloden and Smithton Local People Programme ULLIE WENZEL

LITA LESLIE/HIGH LIFE HIGHLAND

Ullie Wenzel (right) with members of the Culloden Youth Forum and their ‘tree of local knowledge’, based on what they liked about the area, and what could be different.

Our first Community Get-Together.

ULLIE WENZEL

By Ullie Wenzel, Community Engagement Officer.

As a people-focussed organisation, TCV engages with individuals, groups and communities in many different ways, from running volunteer conservation projects to organising training courses and networking events. Another approach is happening in Inverness through the Culloden and Smithton Local People Programme, a three year project funded by the People’s Health Trust.

The aim of the programme is to help people in the Culloden and Smithton areas to come together to talk about what makes healthy, happy communities and then work together to improve their own neighbourhoods. By empowering local people to have genuine control over the design, delivery and evaluation of activities or actions which address local issues, the programme will create longer term benefits for the area, in particular for the health and well being of the local community and its residents.

So far the project team has been conducting ‘community conversations’, by attending local groups, and by pitching our ‘headquarters’ (a bright orange gazebo!) at key places within the community. In early March 2016 we also held our first Community Get-Together, which attracted almost 50 residents of all ages – an opportunity to share views and ideas, and for the youngsters to get crafty and creative. We have also held

Spring 2016

Smithton community in Inverness. ‘doorstep conversations’ in an attempt to meet people who are less able to get out and about, and so ensure their views are included. Through these various means there have been many very positive chats, a substantial list of suggestions of what would make the community a better place to live in, and most importantly a good number of keen local people have come forward to be more actively involved.

In addition, the programme’s Community Fund is available to support local projects eg it can help with the creation of groups, networks or campaigns to enable these important conversations to continue. A group of residents will give their views on the applications received and decide

what to spend money on. Amongst the first ideas to receive funding are a new creative activities club for primary aged children, and a group of local people wishing to improve their play park. Other ideas being discussed are a bushcraft club, a series of community get-togethers, and friendship benches being placed around the community.

After a slow start, things are very definitely beginning to gather momentum – so watch this space for lots more community action within Culloden and Smithton! If you would like to find out more about the programme, please get in touch with me (Ullie) at u.wenzel@tcv.org.uk

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NATUREFEST 2016

Where to find us TCV Scotland Head Office

24 Allan Park Stirling FK8 2QG T 01786 479697 F 01786 465359 E scotland@tcv.org.uk

Nature-Fest is the Falkirk area’s wildlife festival and takes place each year over the month of May. The idea behind Nature-Fest is that by pooling promotion and marketing, local ‘green’ groups can get more people along to their events than if each group tried to do so by themselves. It is also hoped that a festival creates a “buzz” and that events can feed off each other.

c/o Highland Birchwoods Littleburn Road Munlochy Near Inverness IV8 8NN T 01463 811 967 E inverness@tcv.org.uk

vimeo.com/ conservationvolunteers

In 2015, 40 events were held by 18 different local groups with a total attendance over the festival of almost 1,000 people of all ages. The Conservation Volunteers is taking part in the festival and will be running a number of events including Rhododendron clearing at Muiravonside Country Park, a guided birdsong/nature walk at Callendar Woods, and several citizen science workshops.

twitter.com/tcvscotland #JoinInFeelGood

The full line-up of Nature-Fest events and activities should have something for everyone

The Network Bulletin is produced three times annually and contains news and features on Community Network member groups, plus TCV Scotland projects, programmes and volunteers.

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including guided walks, nature identification training and conservation activities. There will also be a major event to celebrate nature at The Helix – Falkirk’s award-winning new public space.

Watch out for the brochure or check out the festival’s Facebook page – Falkirk NatureFest and the website www.nature-fest.co.uk. It would be great to see many of you somewhere in the Falkirk area during May!

facebook.com/tcvscotland The Network Bulletin is published by TCV Scotland.

Views and opinions expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or of The Conservation Volunteers.

Editor Graham Burns E g.burns@tcv.org.uk T 0141 552 5294 ©The Conservation Volunteers 2016. Charity registered in Scotland SC039302, and England 261009. Green Gym is a Registered Trade Mark.

www.environment.scotland.gov.uk The gateway to everything you need to know about Scotland’s environment.

Keep up to date... ...with news of TCV Scotland training courses, networking opportunities, funding, environmental events etc – through our monthly ebulletin. Subscribe at www.tcv.org.uk/scotland/signup-for-our-newsletter

Unit M1 143 Charles Street Glasgow G21 2QA T 0141 552 5294 F 0141 552 0418 E glasgow@tcv.org.uk Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre Wood Street Grangemouth FK3 8LH T 01324 471600 F 01324 471600 E jupiter-nursery@tcv.org.uk St Joseph’s Academy Grassyards Road Kilmarnock KA3 7SL T 01563 544304 E scotland-education@tcv.org.uk The Granary 44 Mortonhall Gate Edinburgh EH16 6TJ T 0131 664 6170 F 0131 664 0583 E edinburgh@tcv.org.uk TCV UK Head Office Sedum House Mallard Way Doncaster DN4 8DB T 01302 388883 F 01302 311531 E information@tcv.org.uk

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TCV Scotland’s community, health and environmental volunteering activities are supported by:

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