The project was the implementation of an Interpretative Farm Nature Trail on the outskirts of Edinburgh. The aim was to involve, educate and raise awareness of biodiversity and environmental issues amongst the general public, in particular school children, families and local residents. The trail was implemented on West Craigie Farm, where many environmental improvements had taken place, showing a commitment to sustainable development and working practices. This was also the site of an existing Pick Your Own enterprise with an established profile and customer base - particularly families and local residents.
Access to the local environment was inhibited due to a disused hard rock quarry (olivine-dolerite) - Craigiehill Quarry - located approximately 100m behind the farm. The location of the quarry obstructed access to the surrounding countryside and to the farm by any means except the narrow roadway from the main road to the farm entrance. Local residents were dissuaded from using rights of way near the quarry due to the health and safety issues. The site also impacted on the immediate environment, causing loss of habitat in a naturally biodiverse area, due to the physical existence of the quarry as well as impact from transportation and pollution caused by the extraction.
The project was the culmination of discussions with the landowner and surrounding community groups including schools. A clear need was identified - due to unavailability of access to the surrounding environment - for education and raising awareness as to the importance of sustaining these vital areas. It also provided a forum for local residents and schools to access the green belt in a managed and interactive manner.
Objectives
Project funding secured the following physical outputs:
- Production of an initial interpretation plan for project
- Clearing of the route and the installation of 12 trail markers at key points around the designated route
- Production of a trail leaflet
- Design, production and purchase of prizes for children who complete the trail
- Production of information panels
- Development of an educational work pack for schools.
The trail is based on 12 markers at key points around the route, guiding visitors around a fun and informative countryside walk, and at each marker a small engraved plaque carrying an illustration of one of the species that benefit from the conservation work on the farm. Visitors can take a rubbing on a specially printed sheet of paper, forming a trail leaflet. The leaflet has text interpreting the farm's conservation work.
On return from the trail, information boards and features complement and reinforce what is learned on the nature trail, enhancing the learning experience. This givs further interpretation about the species found on the farm - showing a rubbing alongside a photograph of each species and giving a brief message about why biodiversity is so important.
Information about the trail is available from the weighing shed as visitors get their punnets to go picking. The information is also located within/or just outside the farm shop outwith the main picking season.
Key Communication Themes
- Biodiversity is the whole rich variety of life that surrounds and sustains us
- There are a wide variety of plants and animals inhabiting this farm
- The farmer helps to encourage wildlife on this farm
- The importance of Edinburgh's green belt.
Project Implementation
The implementation of the trail took longer than originally anticipated mainly due to delays by the designers and illustrators producing the artwork and banners. Once the artwork was completed and the posts installed the farm trail was ready for public use during May 2003.
In addition to the signs erected on the farm the need for additional advertising was identified and it was agreed to produce an A5 postcard of the trail to be distributed by the farmer at the Edinburgh Farmers Market held every fortnight.
Project Benefits
This project provided a new local amenity, improve access to the environment, and met a local need, increasing public awareness and environmental education. With the project complete, the landowner took responsibility for maintenance and management of the farm trail.
In addition to 'general' usage, the farm and trail will be incorporated into the Edinburgh Green Belt Trust's programme of environmental awareness projects, including countryside trips for ethnic minorities and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Evaluation
Evaluation of the project will include footfall and feedback collated from groups and individuals visiting the project. This feedback will be set against the objectives outlined above.
Footfall - school groups, families, individuals. The trail will be open to the public all year round but they are specifically encouraged to attend during summer, with schools during spring and autumn. This makes it an extremely accessible project with a high footfall rate (at its busiest it is estimated 100 visitors per day) through the trail and education centre, located on the farm at the exit of the trail itself.
Feedback gained, based on the communication objectives of the project:
- Understanding of what biodiversity is and why it is important
- Being aware that there is a variety of wildlife on the farm
- Knowing that the way farming practised at West Craigie encourages wildlife
- The importance of the Edinburgh Green Belt.
Contact
Edinburgh Greenbelt Trust
Laundry House
Dalkeith Park
Dalkeith
Midlothian
EH22 2NA
Telephone: 0131 654 1933
Email: info@egbt.org.uk
www.edinburghgreenbelt.org.uk