Biodiversity - Collective Action

Biodiversity in action

The biodiversity crisis is upon us and we have seen a huge reduction in our wildlife across East Lothian. Wildlife is essential for all life. How do we support wildlife across the region for nature to recover, whilst being mindful of nature needs in our urban spaces to our coasts, and being aware of the current agricultural reality of East Lothian?

wildflower meadow

East Lothian Biodiversity Collective

The East Lothian Biodiversity Collective aims to support biodiversity enhancement across East Lothian by connecting people, groups and projects together, building our knowledge and supporting and uplifting local projects. This is an open space of learning and mutual support, to help us increase, grow and upscale biodiversity in East Lothian.  

The Biodiversity Collective will meet regularly at on site visits, have knowledge exchanges between projects, be a place of mutual support such as advice and resources, and create space for thinking about more ambitious action across East Lothian. We are aware of the crossover between biodiversity and food growing and will share opportunities between these themes and have the occasional joint site visit.

Sign up to join the East Lothian Biodiversity Collective >>

East Lothian Hedgerow Restoration

Hedgerows are a key wildlife corridor, supporting up to 2070 different species and connecting different habitats. East Lothian Climate Hub has initiated a Hedgerow Restoration working group and, together with some East Lothian Climate Action Network members, is piloting an East Lothian Hedgerow Restoration project working with interested landowners, farmers, community groups, volunteers and local skilled trainers and contractors. Through hedgerow surveying, creation of hedgerow management plans, planting, gapping up, on-site training and mentoring, hedgelaying and coppicing, the project will create healthy, well-managed new and restored Hedgerows across East Lothian acting as significant wildlife corridors linking between different key habitats within and between rural and urban settings.

For more information or if you would like to get involved either as a landowner/farmer, community group or volunteer please email hello@eastlothianclimatehub.org

How did we choose these areas of work?

Two Biodiversity gatherings were hosted in June and August 2024 to identify challenges and opportunities within East Lothian, and from which key areas of focus were selected for the Climate Hub alongside ELCAN members and other interested parties to drive forward, working collaboratively with other stakeholders. These areas of focus are:

  • Capacity building support through an informal forum (the Biodiversity collective), including peer-to-peer learning opportunities, exchanges and events, signposting to resources and collaborative funding applications
  • Supporting the Council’ Nature Network’s mapping
  • Promoting opportunities for connectivity and wildlife corridors (for example, through hedgerow restoration and rivers)
  • Building relationships with landowners, managers and farmers to better understand challenges, opportunities and potential for collaboration with communities

Be inspired.....examples of some projects and initiatives in East Lothian

Wombles

Tranent Wombles Forest Garden

The Tranent Wombles have created a Forest Garden in the heart of Tranent. Read more about what they have planted in this case study, and how have they involved the community! If you want to get inspired further, take a look at this lovely wee video which brings it to life https://youtu.be/daJO44ovXa8

Hedgehog

Sustaining Dunbar's Pledgehog Project

Read about Sustaining Dunbar's very simple but successful project which has engaged the Dunbar community in doing more for hedgehogs (and in turn, for other wildlife) in their gardens and outdoor spaces or take a look at this lovely video https://youtu.be/ZhXYyKTlKEc

East Lothian Nature Networks are a fantastic initiative by the East Lothian Council which communities can get involved in.  This video explains more.