Garnock's Buzzing

Since the second world war the UK has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows, not only does this deny us the joy of seeing an explosion of colour during the summer months, but it leaves some of our most precious bees, bugs and other pollinators without a home. The Garnock’s Buzzing project aimed to help change this and make the Garnock Connections landscape a haven for pollinators.

To do this the project created new wildflower meadows, planted pollinator friendly trees and establishied bee banks at community sites, such as at Irvine Beach Park, Kilbirnie Public Park and the Three Town Growers allotment in Ardrossan. We also have been working with communities to undertake pollinator identification events, get volunteers involved in habitat creation, and help local people undertake ecological surveys.

To deliver the project we have worked with our partners Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT), Buglife  and the Scottish Rural College (SRUC). SWT planted new meadows and Buglife helped local landowners to plant new meadows on their land.

By carrying surveys and engaging with schools SRUC helped our communities appreciate the importance of their roadside verges in providing important refuges for our pollinators. The report written by SRUC on the importance of these roadside verges was part of the projects drive to raise awareness about insect pollinators and the importance of enhancing greenspace habitat in our towns. As part of this process we have used interpretative signage, engaged with community groups, and - perhaps most importantly - worked with local schools to help the next generation understand why these habitats are so important - and maybe get them eating  more fruit!

Click here to see the presentation which Gill Smart delivered at our Year Two Celebration event in July 2020. Gill is the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Reserves Manager for Southwest Scotland and one of the project leads on Garnock's Buzzing.