Dune shingle and sand dunes are very rare habitats in Europe and are listed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. We are very fortunate to have some of the best examples of natural coastal habitat right here on our doorstep. Our dune heaths support some of the rarest lichens in the country, including the endangered matt felt lichen.
Over the last 50 years or so fragile coastal habitats like this have come under huge pressure from industrial developments, housing schemes, golf courses, sand-winning and forestry plantations. What remains are a few scattered jewels.
The dunes at Findhorn have been subject to the same pressures. Even now, we will lose some of the rarest species to tree encroachment quite quickly if action is not taken. Seeds from Wilkies Wood are blown onto the dunes and the lichen beds are being shaded-out. While we all love the woods – and I’m sure share a vision of more trees spreading across the planet, we must remember that people planted the trees here, with no thought for our more humble and threatened neighbours. It is time to do what we can to save some of the best of what’s left.
The Findhorn Hinterland Group, your local community group dedicated to environmental education and practical land conservation on the Findhorn Peninsula, made a great start in 2013 and then in November of 2014 by clearing trees and gorse from two of the best lichen beds situated on Findhorn Dunes Trust (FDT) land; the work was done with the FDT permission and blessing. It was great fun and made a visible and long-lasting difference. We will be carrying-on work this year with a further work party on Saturday 31st January 2-4pm. Please do join-us as many hands really do make light work as well as making it much more fun! Big sacks for removing tree seedlings will be useful otherwise gloves and all tools will be provided. Meet at the tractor shed in Wilkies Wood.
Sean Reed, Local Professional Ecologist and FHG Member.
Come, save our special habitats!
Dune shingle and sand dunes are very rare habitats in Europe and are listed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. We are very fortunate to have some of the best examples of natural coastal habitat right here on our doorstep. Our dune heaths support some of the rarest lichens in the country, including the endangered matt felt lichen.
Over the last 50 years or so fragile coastal habitats like this have come under huge pressure from industrial developments, housing schemes, golf courses, sand-winning and forestry plantations. What remains are a few scattered jewels.
The dunes at Findhorn have been subject to the same pressures. Even now, we will lose some of the rarest species to tree encroachment quite quickly if action is not taken. Seeds from Wilkies Wood are blown onto the dunes and the lichen beds are being shaded-out. While we all love the woods – and I’m sure share a vision of more trees spreading across the planet, we must remember that people planted the trees here, with no thought for our more humble and threatened neighbours. It is time to do what we can to save some of the best of what’s left.
The Findhorn Hinterland Group, your local community group dedicated to environmental education and practical land conservation on the Findhorn Peninsula, made a great start in 2013 and then in November of 2014 by clearing trees and gorse from two of the best lichen beds situated on Findhorn Dunes Trust (FDT) land; the work was done with the FDT permission and blessing. It was great fun and made a visible and long-lasting difference. We will be carrying-on work this year with a further work party on Saturday 31st January 2-4pm. Please do join-us as many hands really do make light work as well as making it much more fun! Big sacks for removing tree seedlings will be useful otherwise gloves and all tools will be provided. Meet at the tractor shed in Wilkies Wood.
Sean Reed, Local Professional Ecologist and FHG Member.