Climate Week events and stories

 For Climate Week, our Climate Action Hub was excited to welcome Amy Kenn from the Forth Valley YLAG group as a funded intern. During her time with us, Amy focused on communication skills, exploring fundraising, and deepening her understanding of Climate Action and environmental themes. It was a delight to have Amy capture our events in this blog and gallery of photos and we hope to work with her again soon, thank you Amy!

During this year’s Climate Week, FEL hosted four events across the week partnered with some other great organisations, two of which were learning exchanges supported by funding provided by the Scottish Community Alliance. With theme of Scotland’s Climate Week this year being ‘Stories of Change’, these learning exchange opportunities encouraged all involved to share and exchange stories on climate action involvement.

Natural Flood Management at Pool of Muckhart

The first event of the week took place in Muckhart, where we were joined by Forth Rivers Trust for a learning exchange visit to their project site at the Natural Devon in Pool of Muckhart. This provided a great opportunity to learn about the use of natural flood management in an area that has previously experienced damage due to flooding. Forth Rivers Trust has worked closely with the local community on this project as well as involvement from Church of Scotland and funding from Nature Scot to push this project forward.

Using natural methods of flood management such as introducing overflow channels, leaky dams and creating natural wetlands have not only been successful for flood management in the area but have also increased biodiversity in the area! By boosting habitats through the creation of open water areas and sowing wildflowers seeds with the local community has created the opportunity for more wildlife to thrive.

After the site visit and learning about the project from Forth Rivers Trust, we learned about the incredible work taking place with The Conservation Volunteers Scotland in Clackmannanshire who are working hard towards improving biodiversity and supporting community flood resilience, sharing the importance of community involvement and engagement in moving forward with projects of climate action!

To find out more about the work of Forth Rivers Trust and The Conservation Volunteers and other projects they are involved in please visit their websites.

River Restoration in the River Goil

 Later in the week, Forth Valley Climate Action Hub hosted a second learning exchange event in partnership with Argyll and Bute Climate Action Network. We ventured out of Forth Valley to Argyll and Bute to visit the Lochgoil Community River Restoration Project, which is a brilliant story of change as a result of taking climate action in their local area.

The Lochgoil Community Trust have worked alongside Argyll Fisheries Trust to restore the River Goil through nature-based solutions. Beginning the restoration project back in 2020, they have created green revetments along the riverbanks using willow to help protect the river and the surrounding area from flood and storm damage.

Lochgoil Community Trust explained how their work on this project held a strong focus on trying to improve the river for the fish, and not for fishing. Not only has their work been crucial to managing floods and protecting the surrounding environment, but it has also been very important in the improvement of the River Goil as a habitat as it is a key spawning ground for Endangered Atlantic Salmon and Sea Trout.

With the amazing work that has been done on this project by the trust and their volunteers, the riverbank is no longer eroding and due to the green revetments, the biodiversity in the habitat has been increasing!

To find out more about the work and projects happening in the Lochgoil community and surrounding areas please visit their websites linked above.

Scotland’s Climate Week provides an opportunity for raising awareness of climate change but also encouraging people to learn about different ways to engage on climate action. FEL organised events that encouraged sharing stories and knowledge with one another, with the aim of learning from each other.

Stories of Soil Symposium 

In the spirit of storytelling as this years theme of Scotland’s Climate Week, FEL collaborated with some amazing speak from the Forth Valley area for Stories of Soil Symposium, held at the wonderful rewilding biodiversity site of Sauchie Home Farm.

Gathering around as a group, we heard stories from West Moss-side Organic Farm, Forth Climate Forest and Herbal Homestead to raise awareness and highlight the importance and many benefits of soil to life on Earth!

West Moss-side Organic Farm shared their story of being ‘Grounded by the Soil’, holding a strong connection with soil as it is the starting point for everything on the farm – from quality organic produce to the willow grown and used for weaving workshops.

The Forth Climate Forest is the largest tree planting initiative in the Forth Valley Area, working with land managers, communities and partner organisations with the goal to plant 16 million trees by 2033. The importance of maintaining quality and healthy soil is vital to achieving this goal!

Herbal Homestead shared their story of connecting with the soil in all aspects of their business and the importance of being educated on soil health and properties when establishing land-informed projects that benefit both local wildlife, ecosystems and people.

We also had the pleasure of participating in a willow weaving workshop from West Moss-side which was a lovely activity to end a great day!

Led Nature Walks and Pond Dipping at the Helix

FEL finished off a brilliant week of climate events with a stall at Falkirk’s first ever Climate Festival at the Helix, alongside stalls from various local groups and organisations working on climate action initiatives. FEL held led nature walks around the Helix and pond dipping activities run by The Conservation Volunteers(TCV) to share stories with participants and to learn about the local environment, habitats and wildlife!