Glenkens Nature Networks
Funded by Inspiring Scotland, Dalry Community Council is exploring the possibility of establishing Nature Networks in the Glenkens with the support of the Glenkens Community and Arts Trust (GCAT), the Land Use subcommittee and the GSA Biosphere.
Nature Networks are corridors and ‘steppingstones’ of wildlife-friendly habitats that connect existing nature-rich areas. They are important to help nature cope with land use change and the climate crisis, and also provide a network of easily accessible natural spaces for the local community.
The project will link together other exciting developments such as the Glenkens Pollinators Project and provide opportunities to citizen science, monitoring and investigation.
A handful of locations across the Glenkens have been selected as pilot sites for nature monitoring in 2025/26, from forestry and agriculture such as Carsphairn Community Woodland to local public spaces such as New Galloway Community Garden; all habitats are valuable to wildlife and biodiversity. We hope to hear from other communities, networks or sites which may be interested in getting involved.
Please also get in touch at: Niki.Inglis@protonmail. com if you know of a community, network or site which might like to get involved or if you have any questions.
A map from NatureScot's new mapping tool, showing woodland habitat opportunities around Dalry
We are also exploring where Nature Networks could be established over the coming years.
In late 2025 Steve Connelly will be having conversations with landowners, farmers and community groups, and developing a good scientific understanding of where the opportunities are to make the most difference with the smallest interventions. It could be as simple as planting a short ‘corridor’ of trees and letting vegetation grow along a field edge – a ‘hedgehog highway’ – to link existing woodlands. (Funding is already available from D&G Woodlands for this.) Or it could be reducing grazing pressure on grassland in the spring to allow scarce plants to flower and seed before allowing cattle in to graze.
By the end of the year, we’d love to have a small group of people ready to start a pilot on the ground. It would be great to also have a larger group of land managers and communities who are interested in doing more work to develop these plans for Nature Networks.
If you are interested in talking about possibilities on your land, please email Steve at: stephen.connellyy@gmail.com.
