Forth Rivers Trust is delighted to announce the launch of the Balcaskie Wetlands Project, a habitat creation effort focused on the upper reaches of the Dreel Burn in Fife.
This project aims to combat the twin challenges of climate change and declining biodiversity by supporting the creation of a crucial wetland habitat on the Balcaskie Estate. The works will include the implementation of natural flood management (NFM) measures by installing ‘leaky dams’ which will help reduce flood event intensity, riparian tree planting to cool water temperatures, wetland habitat creation which will provide habitat for vulnerable species and the removal of a ford, all benefitting biodiversity and providing a boost for nature that will also help mitigate the future flooding impacts of climate change.
The Balcaskie Wetlands project is a partnership between Balcaskie Estate, Balcarres Estate, Anstruther Improvements Association and the Forth Rivers Trust, delivering for nature at a landscape scale. This project is generously supported by Fife Environment Trust and by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot.
Through the shared vision of restoring our natural environment, the Balcaskie Wetlands project will demonstrate a collaborative effort to deliver benefits for both nature and people. The wetland areas proposed have the potential to sequester more carbon per hectare than traditional woodlands, sequestration which will also be supported by riparian tree planting. As the wetland and woodland habitats develop, they will provide essential habitats for invertebrates and other wildlife, and the wetland scrapes will support declining species such as waders. All of these project measures aim to combat declining biodiversity levels and support the local area through predicted climate change impacts.
Commenting on the project, Jonathan Louis, co-director of Forth Rivers Trust, said ‘We are delighted to be working closely with Balcaskie Estate and Anstruther Improvements Association in the East Neuk of Fife to drive landscape scale restoration of the Dreel Burn. The twin threats of climate change and declining biodiversity are at the forefront of these works and our team will draw upon their expertise, supported by our vital partners. This will deliver long lasting nature based solutions that will benefit nature for years to come.‘
To find out more about the works and stay updated as the project progresses, keep an eye on the Balcaskie Wetlands project page on our website.
Anstruther Improvements Association’s Community Development Worker, Julia Priestley, said: “The Dreel Burn Project was set up by Anstruther Improvements Association after members of the local community raised concerns about the degraded state of the Dreel Burn. We are delighted that Forth Rivers Trust is leading the Balcaskie Wetlands Project. It will be the first major intervention to take place, as we work towards the long-term aim of restoring the health of the burn. We are looking forward to supporting this project on the ground – in February we will be working with local group Footprint East Neuk to deliver the riparian tree planting on the site.”
Balcaskie Estate “is delighted to be able to work together as part of the Dreel Burn community with the Anstruther Improvements Association and with the expertise of the Forth Rivers Trust. This project demonstrates the importance of a collaborative approach to address the twin issues of climate and carbon bound up in climate change. We are proud to be able to contribute.”
NatureScot Head of Fundraising Iain Sime said: “Balcaskie Wetlands is a vital project that will help to reduce flooding while increasing biodiversity in the local area. Nature-based-solutions like these are essential to help build our resilience to further climate change while restoring our habitats and species back to full health. This is exactly the type of project that the Nature Restoration Fund is here to support, and it is rewarding to see this work getting underway.”
We are delighted to deliver these works in partnership with local organisations with the support of the local community. Click here to read more about the Dreel Burn project preceding the work which is soon to begin at Balcaskie, and stay in touch via our social platforms as we share updates from this exciting project.