Wilding our Parks case study - Glasgow report

Working with volunteers and third sector to enhance species rich grassland, wetland and woodland habitats in Auchinlea Park, Easterhouse

Site: Auchinlea Park
Location: 55.871293, -4.130864
Site type: Public parks and gardens
Secondary type: Amenity greenspace, green corridors/networks
Management responsibility: Seven Lochs Project
Naturalisation type: Grassland naturalisation, Native flower meadow, Woodland enhancement, Wetland enhancement.
Project partners: Glasgow City Council, TCV Scotland
Other groups involved in wider SpRiNT project: North Lanarkshire Council, Northern Corridor Community Volunteers, Cumbernauld Living Landscapes.

Links

• Seven Lochs Wetland Park information  
• Cumbernauld Living Landscape information
• Glasgow City Council Biodiversity information and Glasgow Pollinator Plan

Tags/Themes

Grassland naturalisation, Native flower meadow, Woodland, Wetland, Public parks and gardens, Amenity greenspace, Biodiversity, Volunteers, Employability

Thumbnail introduction

Auchinlea Park is one of 20 greenspaces in the Seven Lochs and Cumbernauld Species Rich Network Team (SpRiNT) project. The project created species-rich habitats in a public park and used delivery, management and monitoring to upskill the volunteer team.

Introduction

Auchinlea Park is one of 20 sites within the Seven Lochs and Cumbernauld Species Rich Network Team (SpRiNT) project. This will create and then monitor 20 species rich grassland, woodland, and wetland habitats in an urban network across north-east Glasgow and North Lanarkshire. A partnership between two local authorities, local charities and volunteer groups, the project prioritised training for local staff and skilled volunteer team to establish, manage and monitor the sites. The work at Auchinlea included the enhancement and management of 4 ha of grassland, woodland and wetland habitats.

The SpRiNT sites are all areas where past management (or lack of management) has resulted in areas of low value for biodiversity. The sites are located in a range of greenspaces from public parks to local nature reserves, a golf course, vacant and derelict land, a cycle route (former railway), amenity grassland, and community gardens. All sites, apart from the golf course, are publicly owned.

Initially a two-year project (now October 2019 – March 2022, due to covid) to deliver species rich networks for pollinator species, activities on each site include:

• site survey and development of habitat enhancement plans
• habitat creation and enhancement through new management, seeding and planting
• volunteer training to support the development of a skilled team of staff and volunteers  

Drivers for naturalisation

Drivers common across the 20 sites were:

• Council policies promoting improving greenspace sites and networks for biodiversity and pollinator species (including Local Biodiversity Action Plans and Glasgow City Council Pollinator Action Plan)
• Finding an evidence-based middle ground to enhance biodiversity where sites are either too intensively managed or not managed at all
• To draw in the skills and learn from third sector organisations and the community.

Auchinlea Park includes Provan Hall, one of the oldest surviving buildings in Glasgow. The park is being developed as a heritage visitor attraction and a hub for environmental and heritage learning, making it ideal to be one of the sites.

What has been delivered?

Within Auchinlea Park 4 hectares (ha) of grassland, woodland and wetland had their biodiversity improved through planting and habitat management, using:

• 5572 wildflower plugs
• 200m2 of nectar-rich wildflower earth
• 200m2 of shade-mix wildflower earth
• 1600 native bulbs
• Cut and lift of 1.5 ha of previously un-mown or close-mown amenity grassland

The relative performance of using wildflower earth versus using plug plants is being compared in grassland settings and also in woodland underplanting.

“Areas of woodland around the perimeter of the park have been cleared of non-native evergreens and underplanted with bulbs and wildflowers. As well as improving woodland biodiversity this has helped improve sightlines into the park, making it feel safer and more welcoming”
Scott Ferguson, Project Co-ordinator, Seven Lochs Project

Training was delivered to staff and volunteers. The Seven Lochs Volunteers and Seven Lochs Employability Project completed 30 days of habitat enhancement, delivering over 100 volunteer days. In the first two years, 26 LANTRA qualifications in use of machinery was delivered to 11 trainees, with 8 volunteers completing survey skills training.

The area is also home to a unique and significant population of grassland water voles, a protected species. It is illegal to disturb their burrows without a protected species licence form NatureScot; this includes machine mowing of grasslands occupied by water vole. Future grassland management will be informed by a water vole grassland management trial currently underway with the University of Glasgow.

How was it done and by whom?

Delivery partners across the 20 sites supported the project in a range of ways:

• Seven Lochs Project - project management, co-ordination of partners, management of funds
• Seven Lochs Volunteers – an open practical conservation volunteering group running weekly operated by TCV Scotland
• Seven Lochs Employability Project – a two-day per week programme for unemployed people that delivers accredited training in employability and practical skills; delivered by TCV Scotland
• Northern Corridor Community Volunteers – a community group working in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council and others to improve places for people and nature
• Cumbernauld Living Landscapes Nature Ninjas - an open practical conservation volunteering group running up to three days per week operated by TCV Scotland.

The activities at the Auchinlea grassland, wetland and woodland habitat areas included:

1. Site survey and development of habitat enhancement plans

Initial surveys identified existing habitats and were used to develop site management plans. These focused on increasing species diversity through habitat enhancement and changes to site management; they are updated annually. Scribble Maps were used to share information and site management plans between partners.

2. Grassland habitat creation and enhancement through new management, seeding and planting

A variety of approaches were used for ground preparation:

Cutting and lifting the long grass. The best ride-on mower for cut and lift used was an Etesia Hydro. This rotary mower proved very capable on all sites and was able to cope with very thick vegetation, slopes, and soft ground. Where work was being carried out by volunteer groups, it was possible to cut and lift quite large areas with strimmer, brush-cutter and hand tools (scythe/rake). Arisings from cut and lift were deposited on site. Although quite large piles at first, these were found to shrink quite quickly. Care is needed to ensure that the area for depositing arisings does not result in damage to existing species-rich habitats or leaching nutrients into water bodies.

Scarifying / turf stripping prior to seed sowing: This was more challenging. The project tested a ride-on mower / scarifier, a tractor-mounted box rake / scarifier, and a small pedestrian scarifier. Problems were found with all three, primarily due to many of the sites having ‘made up ground’ with a high number of stones and brick that risked damage to any light machinery. For small sites with an existing sward that was not too thick or thatched, a walk-behind scarifier did a reasonable job, but needed several runs and was slow work for larger areas.

An alternative approach to ground preparation for seed sowing was to use a pedestrian turf-cutter to remove turf strips to expose topsoil. It was slow and heavy work for volunteers, especially on sites where the turf layer is thick and includes a high proportion of perennial ryegrass and creeping grasses. It also requires a suitable area on site to dispose of the cut turf. This method was found to be only suitable for small sites with a lighter turf layer.

On cut and scarified areas, the wildflower seed mix was bulked by the project staff with dry sand/spent mushroom compost.

Where there were cut turf strips or bare ground, pre-mixed bespoke wildflower earth mix was used. This is more expensive, as it involved working with Wildflower Turf who took bespoke seed mixes and mixed them with a growing medium. This is more expensive than the sand and seed but was found to be more successful. It gives higher density planting than plug planting. Both seed mixes are broadcast by hand.

Plug planting into cut grassland: Plug planting with 65cc plugs planted by hand using dibbers. Groups of 6-10 plugs of a single species were planted into cut area at a density of approx.10 plants per m2.

3. Woodland habitat creation and enhancement

Clearance of non-native shrubs (mostly laurel) and planting with plugs, bulbs and wildflower earth.

4. Training to support development of a skilled team of staff and volunteers able to manage these habitats for the future

All habitat works were delivered by volunteers or employability trainees working with experienced project officers. A comprehensive training programme was delivered to develop skills and knowledge in the creation, enhancement and management of more species-rich habitats. This focused on practical skills needed to carry out habitat works, knowledge of habitats and their management, and skills in survey and monitoring.

Skills training included:

• accredited training in the use of strimmers, brush-cutters, ride-on mowers, woodchippers, and tractor driving linked to delivery of habitat management and enhancement works
• habitat management, plant identification and habitat survey training was incorporated into the practical habitat management activities (due to covid restricting classroom training)
• on-line training course on grassland water vole ecology, followed by on-site session on field signs and survey

Over the 3-years of the project, the work programme involved:

Year 1

• cut and lift previously un-mown areas

Year 2

• cut and lift 3 areas of amenity grassland
• wildflower plug planting in grassland and wetland
• clearance of non-native trees and scrub in woodland

Year 3

• wildflower plug planting in grassland
• turf cutting and seeding with nectar-rich wildflower earth in grassland
• wildflower plug and woodland bulb planting in woodland
• seeding of cleared woodland areas with shade-mix wildflower earth
• cut and lift of seeded / planted areas

Appendix 1 provides a list of the mix of species in the seed mixes, earth mixes and plant plugs used in grassland and woodland habitat creation.

Communication and engagement

Community consultation was ongoing through local partners, volunteers, on-site information and social media. The existing management structures for the Seven Lochs Project and Cumbernauld Living Landscape project include elected members. The training programme involved local volunteers.

There have been few objections, possibly because the residents already understand that the Seven Lochs Project delivers nature projects. The perception of what councils should deliver (neat and tidy parks) is often different.

Cost of the project

The 20 SpRiNT sites were funded through an additional £110,000 of grant funding: £70,000 from NatureScot (Biodiversity Challenge Fund) and £40,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This covered staff time, volunteer training, volunteer expenses, equipment hire and materials.

The project at Auchinlea Park cost £17,175, comprising (approx figures):

• £3,075 wildflower plugs and bulbs
• £2,600 wildflower earth
• £1,100 machinery hire
• £1,400 volunteer training (proportion of 20 site costs)
• £9,000 TCV staff time

In addition, the in-kind contribution from volunteer time was over £6,000.

The biodiversity benefits of the project could have been delivered using contractors and, if core staff time is included, this may have involved a saving or been cost neutral in comparison to involving TCV staff and TCV Seven Lochs Volunteers. However, there would not have been the legacy of staff and volunteers receiving training, learning from each other and their longer-term commitment.

How is it looked after and maintained?

There are twice-yearly or annual cut and collect for grassland sites. A ride-on cut and collect mower is used. For small sites, the arisings are left on site. In larger areas, a farmer is contracted to cut, bale and remove grass. Tree aftercare takes place in woodland sites.

The Seven Lochs Volunteers and participants of Seven Lochs Employability Project help with maintenance activities at their regular sessions. Habitat monitoring is undertaken by Seven Lochs Volunteers.

Benefits from the project

The most significant benefit at Auchinlea Park (which being developed as a hub for environmental and heritage learning) is being able to use the improvement to the park landscape and the creation of more natural, species-rich habitats to support outdoor learning, conservation volunteering and contact with nature.

Wider benefits of the SpRiNT project are:

• Use of volunteers alongside skilled staff increases capacity

• The ability of voluntary sector organisations, like TCV Scotland, to react quickly to changes in government guidelines, were critical to minimising impacts of COVID
• The guidelines for the long-term management of grasslands for water vole will be shared with other land managers, as people are becoming aware of similar populations further afield

Issues and challenges

There are a limited number of growers supplying plug plants using seed of Scottish provenance. The project approached several growers to commission bespoke plant plugs and worked with one which found some species more successful than others. Some bluebell bulbs supplied as native Scottish were found not to be and so had to be removed.

Finding the right machinery is a challenge - the search is still on for an electric mower that will do cut and lift with reduced emissions.

Third sector partners, like TCV Scotland, are key to this volunteer-led approach; their input and training requires ongoing funding for this project model to be sustainable.

Learning and advice

The project showed that with the right support and training from experienced members of staff, volunteers and employability trainees can successfully deliver habitat enhancement and management using a range of tools and equipment. This approach can help increase the capacity of public sector organisations to improve and manage land for biodiversity through partnership working with voluntary sector organisations, whilst also achieving wider benefits associated with volunteering, including increased awareness and engagement, skills development, and employability.

Placing council staff in a wildlife charity as part of their training and development into parks management provides an opportunity to learn how these charities manage their sites sensitively and effectively.

Next steps

Although funding for SpRiNT is ending, there will be ongoing partnership work within Auchinlea Park and across the network with TCV Scotland to deliver habitat restoration and enhancement linked to training and employability for people seeking employment in environmental conservation or grounds maintenance.

There is potential to explore the feasibility of establishing a nursery (possibly as a social enterprise) to grow plugs locally, and ultimately from seed collected within the network.

Project contact

Scott Ferguson, Project Co-ordinator, Seven Lochs Project.

Appendix 1: Wildflower seed and plant mixes used in grassland and woodland habitat works

Meadow wildflower plugs	Cowslip, devil’s-bit scabious, yarrow, field scabious, lesser knapweed, cats-ear, self-heal, bird’s-foot trefoil, meadow vetchling, tufted vetch, ladies bedstraw, field geranium, melancholy thistle, agrimony, lady’s mantle, common sorrel, autumn hawkbit, white / red clover, germander speedwell, oxeye daisy, sneezewort, square St John’s wort
Wetland wildflower plugs	Purple loosestrife, flag iris, meadowsweet, marsh marigold, ragged robin, water avens
Woodland wildflower plugs	Primrose, bluebell, foxglove, white dead nettle, red campion, betony, wild strawberry, wood avens, hedge woundwort, wood sage, bush vetch, common valerian, herb bennet, herb robert
Water vole seed mix	Lesser knapweed, field geranium, cats-ear, oxeye daisy, bird’s-foot trefoil, ribwort plantain, self-heal, meadow buttercup, common sorrel, autumn hawkbit, devil’s-bit scabious
Wetland seed mix	Scotia seeds pond edge mix
Meadow seed mix	Scotia seeds Mavisbank mix
Shade-mix wildflower earth	Scotia seeds hedge meadow mix (wildflowers only)
Nectar-rich wildflower earth	Scotia seeds ‘get nectar-rich quick’ mix
MG5 wildflower earth	Scotia seeds MG5 meadow mix (wildflowers only without ribwort plantain and meadow buttercup)
Woodland bulbs	Wild garlic, wood anemone, lesser celandine, wild daffodil