World Wetlands Day 2023

Its #worldwetlandsday and we are celebrating it by highlighting the great work that the Trust is carrying out to improve wetlands around the Forth.

Our most recent project takes us to the top of the River Teith catchment, at a place called Blaircreich. Working with the landowner, we are blocking old field drains at key points to encourage water which flows down the drain out onto the floodplain and through a series of scrapes. This projects main aim is to help contribute to natural flood management, help boost wetland species locally which had been damaged by historic drainage and help reduce excess sedimentation from surrounding forestry entering the river, protecting fish species such as salmon, trout, eel and lamprey.

As soon as we installed the first ditch block, we instantly seen a difference with water spilling out over the surrounding landscape. We are still delivering this project and the digger will be up over the next few weeks to create shallow scrapes which will help boost the amount of wetted habitat locally.

By keeping more water on the land for longer, it also helps make catchments resilient to climate change. During the summer of 2022, severe drought was felt across Scotland with rivers running very low. By keeping water on the land for longer rather than draining it quickly will ensure that rivers are kept topped up and wont run dry as quickly.

This project is funded by NatureScot Nature Restoration Fund and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.