Biodiversity
The Biodiversity Group is a subgroup of ACT. Auchencairn and its surrounding countryside is highly valued by locals and visitors alike, but concerns over the twin issues of climate change and biodiversity loss are as prevalent here as anywhere else, and one of the main causes for concern in this area is the intensification of
farming.
The issues often seem immense and overwhelming, and we recognised that providing opportunities to get out and do things and socialise is probably as important as any biodiversity gains. To that end we oversee the management of our community field which is a few acres belonging to Torr Farm. It now has some native trees as well as fruit and nut trees.
Lee Paton talks to visitors about the Community Field as part of a learning exchange with the Machars and Cree River Valley Climate Action Group (MAC-CAN).
We also have fireside gatherings at the Community Field picnic tables both for meetings and social events and a couple of times a year we invite the schoolchildren out to take part in nature-based activities.
The field is still cut for hay or silage and grazed occasionally with a view to increasing the botanical interest of the old pasture. In 2020 a plant survey was carried out with help from The Kirkcudbright Botany Group and around 80 plant species were identified. Every year we collect local tree seed and have established a small tree nursery in a nearby garden to bring out own seedings and take care of saplings grown by others. These are then distributed free to anyone who has space to create a small woodland or plant a hedge.
A few of us usually meet in the second Sunday or each month for nursery maintenance and other activities. We get by on a shoestring with our only needs being helping hands and an occasional bag or two of compost.
For more information please contact Lee Paton at oldtorrlee@farming.co.uk