Culloden Community Council kicks off Nature Restoration Fund initiative with tree planting day
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A COMMUNITY in Inverness has joined forces to step up their plans plan to boost biodiversity in a local park.
Culloden Community Council and a group of volunteers are taking forward their Eco-Initiative plans after a successful application for funding from the Nature Restoration Fund.
With some planting done earlier in spring shortly after receiving the £3,500 grant in March this year, the group aims to encourage a wider range of wildlife such as birds, bees and butterflies to Culloden Park, which has been altered as part of the Culloden and Smithton Flood Prevention Scheme.
Secretary of Culloden Community, Barbara Lennox, said: "Increasing biodiversity is not just about wildlife. By increasing the biodiversity of this part of Culloden it will also provide the people of Culloden, Smithton and surrounds with an attractive outdoor space in the heart of their community. "New housing developments are planned at Stratton and Balloch/Chapelton and this urban sprawl needs to be tempered with more healthy green spaces for people and wildlife.
"Where we now have boggy areas the plan is to plant bog-friendly plants to provide colour and interest for wildlife and people. The picnic benches have been relocated to higher ground so that it is no longer necessary to picnic in your wellies!
"Around the pond Marsh Marigolds are already in flower and a variety of other species such as Cuckoo Flower, Ragged Robin and Birds Foot Trefoil will be added soon. The ‘banked’ areas around the paths lend themselves to the planting of spring bulbs and wildflowers that come into bloom later on, to provide an on-going pollen source."
Last year, the community council and volunteers planted six fruit trees on the edge of Culloden Park to mark the start of their Eco Initiative.
Councillor Trish Robertson has been supportive of the project. She said: "The Nature Restoration Fund was an excellent opportunity to further develop the Flood Defence Area. In a short space of time the application was prepared and submitted due to the volunteers taking the initiative. The extra planting will give the community an interesting place to spend time. The edible hedge will certainly encourage the wildlife."
Landscaping work already in place has provided paths for people of all abilities to enjoy the park and the addition of flowers and trees will further add to the experience and aiming to attract pollinators.
In another area of the park, Culloden Community Council and Incredible Edible Inverness have already added to the six fruit trees by planting more fruit bushes, among which are blackcurrants, raspberries and quince to make it a ‘pocket orchard’ for the community.
Gail Duff of Incredible Edible Inverness said: “It is encouraging to see the community coming together to improve nature and wildlife in the Culloden Park. The pocket orchard will provide free fruit for local people to take advantage of when it becomes available as well as encourage pollinators.”
The Woodland Trust has supplied free edible hedging, with rosehips, blackthorn, hazel, dog rose and many more wild berry bushes.
According to volunteers, given the current state of biodiversity, the chosen plants will have a beneficial impact on the local environment and, hopefully, beyond.
Ms Lennox added: "The Scottish School of Forestry has given invaluable support with the planting of trees, edible hedging and carrying out remedial work to some of the trees which were already there but are struggling due to boggy conditions and compacted ground.
"Advice was given by the company Higher Ground who have the contract for the UHI grounds. Where possible we have sourced plants from local garden centres and nurseries: Highland Liliums, Poyntzfield, Abriachan and others have been very helpful and given excellent tips on how to get them off to a good start.
"As with any garden, it will take some time for the vision to fully develop but Culloden Community Council and the residents involved are excited to be playing a part in looking after our part of the planet and to add to it over the next few years.
"There will be trees such as rowan, crab apple and flowering cherry which will blossom and fruit at various times throughout the year and, of course, do what trees do best: clean the air. Similarly, the flowers, will spread the benefit throughout the year for the pollinators. The planting around the pond has been selected to encourage wildlife. As the new trees mature, with the input of specialist knowledge, it is hoped to put up bird and bat boxes. But, of course, the trees will also provide a habitat for bees and butterflies to overwinter.
She said that an idea is to have a regular social/gardening meeting in the park to divide and spread plants and find a home for plants that have been grown from seed, to check health of plants and unfortunately to pick litter. Involving pupils from local schools in the planting would be great to encourage any keen young gardeners and maybe create an interest in the importance of plants, butterflies, pollinators and wildlife generally."
"We believe that our project ties in with the objectives of the Highland Nature: Biodiversity Action Plan 2021-2026," she said. "It plays a part in the aim to 'make Scotland more pollinator-friendly, halting and reversing the decline in pollinator populations’.
Those interested in getting involved with the initiative can contact Culloden Community Council: cullodencc@gmail.com and look out for Social Media postings on Culloden Community Council’s Facebook page.
