330 November 2022 - Gryffe Advertizer

Froif’s Sottis Gren thas
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Scotn Aar
Froglife’s Scottish Green Pathways Project (Scottish GP),
working across Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Falkirk, Fife,
Glasgow and Renfrewshire has been shortlisted in the Youth
and Education category at RSPB Scotland’s prestigious Nature
of Scotland Awards.
The Scottish GP project works with vulnerable and disadvantaged young
people aged 8-18 (or up to age 25 for those with additional support
needs) to improve their local greenspaces for wildlife through practical
and educational outdoor learning sessions.
We work with groups or individuals during a range of one-off or longer
term projects to improve young peoples confidence, social skills and
positive behaviour as well as their knowledge and appreciation of wildlife,
especially amphibians and reptiles and their transferable skills through
practical and educational projects such as pond creation and building
bog gardens and hibernaculum.
“We are honoured to have been shortlisted in the Youth and Education
category at the RSPB’s Nature of Scotland Awards this year. We are proud
of every young person we have worked with since the project began in
2017 and of all the improvements to local greenspaces we’ve been able
to help them make during that time. It’s amazing to be able to showcase
this through the Awards.” Said Louise Smith, Development Officer for the
Scottish GP project.
Scottish GP was announced as a finalist in the Youth and Education
category at a ceremony at the Scottish Parliament, the first in-person
celebration for the Nature of Scotland Awards since 2019.
On Thursday 17th November, the finalists will gather at the Edinburgh
International Conference Centre to enjoy a night of celebration, where
the winners of all 10 categories will be announced.
The awards ceremony, now in its 11th year and co-sponsored by
NatureScot, will be hosted by wildlife presenter Iolo Williams and radio
and tv presenter Arlene Stuart. They will recognise the individuals and
organisations making a difference in their local communities, businesses
and schools to support Scotland’s wildlife and special places.
Following the success of the public vote for Nature Champion of the
Decade in 2021, Nature-lovers are being invited to vote for this year’s
Citizen Science Award, which will honour those who engage with
volunteers to further our understanding of the natural world.
Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland said: “Chairing the judging panel
for the Nature of Scotland Awards is easily one of the best jobs I get to do
as part of my role as Director of RSPB Scotland.
“I am so inspired by the number of new, exciting projects we hear about
each year, working hard to conserve Scotland’s important habitats and
wildlife. The judging process seems to get harder and harder every year!
My fellow judges and I would like to thank everyone who took the time
to apply and we look forward to meeting and celebrating with everyone
from the conservation community at the ceremony in November.”
Mike Cantlay, Chair of Awards co-sponsor NatureScot, said: “We are
delighted to be the co-sponsor of the Nature of Scotland Awards with
RSPB Scotland. We are joined in our national endeavour to tackle the
biodiversity crisis in Scotland so that we can secure nature’s benefits and
deliver on net zero. This year’s shortlisted Nature for Scotland nominees
are the people, businesses, organisations and communities who work
tirelessly to take positive action for nature and we wish them every success
for November’s final.”
Anyone with an interest in Nature is welcome to attend the Awards, tickets
are available at https://rspb.org.uk/natureofscotlandawardsceremony
e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk |
RB ocinnch
Well, its November already and its dark
so early summer seems so far away, but to brighten your day why not visit
us at our reserve? You can come for a walk along our woodland trails, kids
can look for fairies on the fairy path, go wild on our adventure trail and
natural play area or bang out a tune at the acoustic play area.
If you are looking for a more relaxed visit why not take part in our “Wellness
in Nature Walk”, just pick up a free leaflet at the welcome desk. As you
walk the trail keep a look out for the wildlife that calls this reserve home,
you never know what you might spot. Then drop back into the centre for
a hot drink and a sandwich for just £3!
At this time of the year Autumn migrants have arrived, whooper swans,
teal, wigeon, goldeneye, pochard and goosander making the reserve
their winter home.
The reserve shop continues to sell all your bird feeding requirements,
fancy goods, binoculars, and telescopes. We have all our Christmas stock
in the shop, you are sure to find a unique gift for a loved one.
In November we have a few events the first is a guided wildlife walk on
the 13th, booking is essential, and an Autumn scavenger hunt for families
for all of November. On the 3rd December is the feel-good-photo walk,
please book online for this. For something different, fun, and unique
come and visit us for a family day out!
For more information about the reserve, please call: 01505 842663
or email us on lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk We are also on Facebook @
RSPBLochwinnochNR and twitter @RSPBLochwinnoch
Cle rsiel
With help from our volunteer groups, we have now
finished the pathing repairs to the Windy Hill path at
Muirshiel Country Park. We have also finished cutting
the two meadows at Johnshill and at the Lochwinnoch annex. Now that
we are heading into winter, we will be starting again to carry out cutting
and control of pontic rhododendron and sitka spruce within the park
sites. If you would like to get involved in helping us, we host an Adult
Volunteering session every Thursday from 12.30pm – 3.30pm. Tea and
coffee will be provided.
Now is the time of year to enjoy autumn colour in the Regional Park.
Parkhill Wood and Muirshiel Country Park are both great places to see
the changing colours of the leaves and the varied displays of fungi on the
woodland floor. There are many different species of fungi in the park and
while some are edible, many are not and some are poisonous. We ask
visitors not to pick any mushrooms in the park unless they are 100% sure
of the identification of edible types.
As the vegetation dies back, it is revealing litter dumped over the summer
months, particularly along the loch shore at Castle Semple. Please be
mindful of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code by being respectful of
other park users, the environment and to leave no trace. We would also
like to ask dog walkers to adhere to the Access Code by please keeping
their dogs on lead or under close control when near to farm animals and
sensitive wildlife. Thank you.
Join us online:
www.clydemuirshiel.co.uk;
Facebook:
www.facebook.com
Clydemuirshielregionalpark;
Twitter and Instagram:
@clydemuirshiel
#clydemuirshiel
Or call us on: 0300 3000 200
November 2022 43