Buglife Scotland has received funding for the Garnock’s Buzzing project from National Lottery Heritage Fund, through the Garnock Connections Landscape Partnership that will transform amenity grassland in Kilbirnie for pollinators.
Our pollinating insects include bees, hoverflies, butterflies, moths and more! Our pollinators are in trouble through the loss of habitat that includes areas of species-rich grassland and flowering shrubs and trees. The Garnock’s Buzzing project is a partnership project between Buglife, North Ayrshire Council, Scottish Wildlife Trust and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).
Through this project we aim to transform amenity grassland and road verges into havens for wildlife! Two parks in Kilbirnie have been selected that through this project will better connect habitat for pollinators and other wildlife to move through the area. The addition of colour to the landscape will also enrich the lives of people who regularly use and visit these transformed parks. Areas selected for this project include an area at the east of Kilbirnie Public Park and at Lochshore. The areas will be created in autumn 2019 and pupils from Garnock Community Campus will be invited to help in their creation and to learn about the importance of our pollinators in food production and what we can do to help them!
Suzanne Burgess, Buglife Scotland Manager said: ‘We are thrilled to have received this support for a meadow creation project in North Ayrshire thanks to National Lottery players and to the Garnock Connections project. This project will not only create vital habitat to boost our pollinator populations but will also benefit local communities, who will be able to enjoy the enriched green spaces and improve their health and wellbeing as a result’.
Alyson Hunter, Project Manager, Garnock Connections: “It’s great to see successful partnership working in action, engaging and involving local communities to help create vital habitat for our pollinators and raising awareness in young people. Communities will benefit not only from an improvement in their natural environment, but also their own wellbeing, as a result of working alongside Buglife Scotland and North Ayrshire Council’s Streetscene on what will be another successful Garnock Connections project. Not forgetting that the bees will love it too!”
Councillor Jim Montgomerie, North Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, said: “We are proud to be working with Buglife on this fantastic project and look forward to seeing biodiversity gains in these carefully selected areas.
“We will ensure that these meadows are left to develop naturally, and hope that the project helps to raise awareness of the importance of looking after our pollinators.
“We also hope that residents enjoy these green spaces and the colourful wildflowers that will thrive there in years to come.”
