Volunteers join forces to create Wick riverside wildflower meadow
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Volunteers have been praised for "giving something back to the community and to nature" after creating a new wildflower meadow at Wick's riverside.
They hope to enhance the area for wildlife by using native wildflower plants and seeds donated by High Life Highland.
A total of 41 volunteers took part in the planting session.
East Caithness countryside ranger Roz Summers said: “It takes hard work to create something special and the good people of Wick gave up a day of their time to help create something vital to the healthy biodiversity in the north of Scotland.
“In giving something back to the community and to nature, there was much fun to be had. After the children had done some digging, they helped to paint some butterfly decorations.
"We all felt rewarded. We look forward to seeing the colour this summer and the wildflowers teeming with bumblebees, butterflies and other pollinators.”
Wildflowers such as lesser celandine, foxgloves, snowdrops and red campion were planted in a woodland edge and an old flower bed was dug over and prepared for Noss Primary School children to sow wildflower seeds in the next few weeks.
Bumblebees, butterflies, wasps and a host of other pollinating insects provide a crucial ecosystem service but are increasingly showing signs of decline.
Roz added: “Pollinators such as bees allow plants to fruit, set seed and breed, including plants and crops that are important to humans. In the wild, this provides food and perfect habitat for a range of other creatures.
“The health of our natural ecosystems is fundamentally linked to the health of our bees and other pollinators and, of course, ourselves.
“Special thanks must go to the Wick Riverside Volunteers for their help and lovely cupcakes which kept us all going, and to Mary Legg for donating some of her wildflower plants.”
High Life Highland’s countryside rangers run public events and practical conservation projects throughout the region. These aim to encourage wildlife while raising awareness and encouraging appreciation of scenery, wildlife and heritage.
For more information, visit www.highlifehighland.com/rangers
