Threave Nature Reserve, near Castle Douglas, is hosting the ambitious and innovative 100-year long Threave Landscape Restoration project. Over the last 18 months, a complete change in management approach on the site has taken place, with the reconnection to natural processes and systems to create a self-balancing and self-sustaining mosaic of habitats that can be used to illustrate, educate and inform our longer-term climate adaptation discussions.
Work over recent months has included a number of major capital elements, including the removal of two sections of floodbank to reconnect the wetland to the River Dee, installation of 15 ponds or wildlife scrapes and the arrival of more than 16,000 native trees to be planted
This month sees the major work come to an end on the site, marked by the installation of the new network of footpaths. Final features such as fingerposts and path repairs will be installed soon.
This is a National Trust for Scotland project, supported by a whole range of partners, including The Galloway Glens Scheme and HSBC UK. Representatives of the National Trust for Scotland met members of the Galloway Glens team on site to commemorate the completion of the landscape work.
Gareth Clingan, Operations Manager for National Trust for Scotland in Dumfries & Galloway, said:
“It is wonderful to see the new path around the Threave Nature Reserve now complete; this is a key milestone in our long-term plan for the site and will ensure our many visitors will be able to get up close with nature, engage with the project and enjoy what is such a special place.”
Jonathan Barrett, Galloway Glens Land Management & Access Officer, has been leading on the footpath improvement project. Jonathan said:
“The improvement of over 2,000m of path on the site of the Threave Landscape Restoration Project has involved construction of new path, re-construction of existing path, removal of steps and changes to gradients. Together with the new boardwalks the path works have made a major improvement to access for users of all abilities and offer a unique opportunity to interact at close quarters with the plants and wildlife on this incredible site.”
For more information about the Threave Landscape Restoration project, visit: https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/threave-landscape-restoration-project-our-100-year-vision.
The Galloway Glens is a 5-year project based in the Stewartry region of Dumfries and Galloway. The scheme is funded by a range of partners including Drax, the owners of the Galloway Hydro Scheme, and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Its remit is to connect people to their heritage and to support modern rural communities. www.gallowayglens.org.
