PICTURES: Wildflower meadow plans seek Highland communities' help
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AMBITIOUS plans to create dozens of new wildflower meadows in the Highlands in a bid to halt the habitat's shocking decline are gathering pace.
High Life Highland's countryside rangers hope to create at least 60 new wildflower meadows this year in a bid to reverse a decline in nature which has seen wildlife fall 24 per cent in 30 years.
To that end they are hosting a string of wildflower planting sessions in Highland communities.
This week they have been holding sessions to create new meadows in Dingwall, Kinlochewe, Aultbea and Gairloch.
And in the coming weeks they will hold many more, with the likes of North Kessock, Bught Park in Inverness, Lochinver, Ullapool, Invergordon and Wick, among others.
Related: Andy Summers: Creating a Highland-wide wildflower meadow mosaic
"Wildflower meadows have seen a decline of 97 per cent since the 1930s and this is catastrophic for many species as well as our own," said a spokesman for the ranger service.
"Hundreds of pollinating insects rely on wildflower meadows for food, and we rely on pollinators for much of our food. Wildflowers are very important ecologically and a beautiful sight, which is why the High Life Highland Countryside rangers are creating wildflower areas with communities and schools all over the Highlands this year."
To find out more about these and other events on the Countryside Rangers' calendar, visit www.highlifehighland.com/rangers/upcoming-events.
The sessions will involve removing some grass and defining the area "so there will be lots of digging". Participants are advised that although the ranger will have a few tools available, those who can should bring their own spades and gloves in they wish.
The projects are supported by funding from the Nature Restoration Fund.
Andy Summers, who is senior countryside ranger for North Highland, and recently urged readers of the Inverness Courier to get involved, said creating wildflower havens at home or in the community can have a big positive effect on the region's wildlife.
He said: "So many of our green spaces today are dominated by closely cropped grass, while the base of trees are strimmed to within an inch of their life. Any stray butterfly has to work very hard to find any flowers to feed on.
"We are in the midst of a full-scale nature crisis, but we all have the power to do something. Why not join our efforts in creating a wildflower mosaic?
"The High Life Highland ranger service has set an ambitious target this year to create at least 60 new wildflower meadows in a mosaic all over the Highlands, with the help of communities and volunteers.
"Think about turning over part of your garden or community area to a small wildflower meadow patch. We can help. We will be running workshops on this and woodland wildflowers."
