Join local citizen scientists for an introductory talk at the Catstrand, a walk along the banks of Mill Burn and the Ken, and a water testing demonstration. 

New Galloway residents recently shared their experiences of living in a small rural community through the local place planning process. Water quality was voted a top issue. Concerns about sewage discharges are not new: participants spoke about the condition of the Mill Burn and the Water of Ken, and the knock‑on effects for wild swimming, and the Ken-Dee Marshes’ fragile ecosystem.

Water is our most precious natural resource. Concerns about water quality are being brought to the fore across the UK through the efforts of local people. Monitoring of water chemistry and aquatic life by citizen scientists has been successful in highlighting ways to reduce pollution.  

Citizen science is valuable not just for the data it collects, and not just for the experiences of the volunteers. Getting involved and seeing results from water that you have sampled can be much more meaningful than reading a report. 

Loch Ken Trust - in partnership with local residents, the New Galloway and Kells Community Council, and Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere – has secured a small grant to support local citizen scientists. 

Regular collection of data through summer 2026 will help to better understand the health of the Water of Ken and surrounding marshes. As citizen scientists, local volunteers will be taking an active role, generating evidence to support constructive dialogue with partners and regulators. 

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