A new project from the North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership (NESBiP) will brighten up Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray this summer by connecting local people with their native wildflowers.
The partnership - which is funded by The James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Moray Council, Scottish Forestry and Ithaca Energy - will host a number of workshops throughout the summer, focusing on wildflower collection and the benefits of scything.
Those who attend will get the chance to join experts as they ID native flowers, collect seeds and explain how to store, grow and care for the stunning native species which are crucial for Scotland’s biodiversity. Although the North-east has many wildflowers, research from conservation charity Plantlife has shown that the north of Aberdeenshire has the highest number of local extinctions in the UK. This presents a threat to biodiversity, as local populations may have distinct genetic differences which can be lost if seeds from these flowers are not collected.
At select workshops, attendees will also learn about the benefits of scything - a cheaper, more environmentally friendly alternative to mowing - from an experienced trainer.
No prior experience with gardening or wildlife is necessary - just a willingness to get your hands dirty!
The workshops have been organised in collaboration with CuramFyive and Outdoor & Woodland Learning Scotland (OWLS) and are free thanks to funding and sponsorship from TAQA UK. The first will be held at Aberlour Glebe Garden in Moray on Saturday 28 June from 1pm to 4pm. Events at other locations, including St Fittick’s Park, Tomintoul, Uryside and more, are arranged for the rest of summer and early autumn. Full details for all workshops can be found on the NESBiP website.
NESBiP Biodiversity Coordinator Abbie Ferrar said: “Over the last year, we have seen an increasing demand for these sorts of workshops. People want to do more for local biodiversity but are struggling to establish wildflower meadows. Unfortunately, the choice for pollinator friendly plants and seed bombs in shops and garden centres are not suitable for North-east Scotland. By attending these workshops, we are giving people the confidence and knowledge to collect and grow their own.”