West Lothian Wee Forest Biodiversity Corridors
West Lothian Wee Forest Biodiversity Corridors
Improve local biodiversity and help tackle the impacts of climate change as well as providing opportunities for people living in local communities to connect with nature.
ELGT will be delivering biodiversity improvements to 4 sites in West Lothian where there are existing Wee Forests which were planted by the local community in 2022 & 2023, all either adjacent or near local schools.
A Wee Forest is a tennis court-sized, densely planted and fast growing, native species-rich woodland in urban Scotland which combines the specific Miyawaki planting method with long term school and community engagement through outdoor learning, citizen science and volunteering. The Miyawaki Method of densely planting all the forest layers at the same time means that growth is accelerated, jump-starting the forest creation process. Wee Forests are a valuable stepping stone as part of Nature Networks in towns and cities.
Working with the 4 different local communities including the local schools by delivering 20 planting sessions. Activities will take place in Addiewell, Whitburn, Boghall & West Calder.
Funded by: West Lothian Development Trust, West Lothian Council
Outputs:
- Addiewell- Delivery 6 planting sessions with the local nursery and primary schools and 1 with the local community. Planting an area of 30m2 adjacent to the Wee Forest with snowdrops, crocuses, fritillara meleagris bulbs. Plant bulbs and wildflower plants in the woodland area of 95m2 opposite the Wee Forest including snowdrops, blue bells, wood anemone, Cowslip, Primroses and Red Champion. A fence around the planting area would be installed using canes & tape.
- Whitburn: Deliver 3 wetland planting sessions which include ground preparation of 167m2 through vegetation removal. Includes Ragged Robin, Cuckoo flower, Meadowsweet, Devils Bit Scabious, Hemp agrimony, Lesser spearwort, Valerian plants.
- Boghall: Deliver 3 bulb and 3 wildflower planting sessions with Bath Academy, St Columba RC and Boghall primary schools across 60m2 which include Hedge Bedstraw, Hedge Woundwort and Red Champion plugs.
- West Calder: Deliver 2 bulb planting sessions of Wood Anemone and Blue Bells along the Beech Wood with West Calder High School. 1 planting session of wildflower planting on the west side of the Wee Forest over 25m2 involving Common Knapweed, Birds Foot Trefoil, Cowslip, Lady Bedstraw and primroses and Red Champion working with Parkhead Primary school eco group. 2 school sessions planting 210 tree whips on the strip north of Wee Forest. 4 standard Alder trees planted along the path between the schools using contractors.
Outcomes:
- Help raise awareness of the key role woodlands play in supporting wildlife and increasing our resilience to climate change.
- Help people connect with nature close to home. To give young people the chance to plant and look after their own forest in their own neighbourhood.
- Help neighbourhoods become nature-rich and more resilient to climate change.
- Provide communities with the opportunity to help tackle the nature and climate emergency and contribute to Scotland’s tree planting targets.