How do you gather, process and sow wildflower seed? And how can wildflowers give a new way of looking at the landscape?
This fun event is a chance to gather and process Wildflower seed with experts from The Eden Project (www.edenproject.com). Join us on and around Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland near Corsock, where we'll be gathering seed, processing it and sowing for future planting.
We will be looking to collect seed from several species of wildflowers, of which there are large populations currently in seed on site. The fresh seed will be sown into plug trays and and cared for by local plant fosterers before being planted out the following year into chosen areas of the community woodland, supporting and increasing population banks of local flora .
Working day:
We will start with an introduction to the work of the National Wildflower Centre, D&G Woodlands and Foresight, safe seed collecting procedures, training on harvesting methods and plant identification and plant plug creation as well as a health and safety brief.
We'll be walking around the Community Woodland and closeby verges from Glaisters Bridge to several locations to collect seed via the tracks and road for approx 1km in total.
Where to meet: Entrance to Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland at 10am.
(Location: Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland Site, by the River Urr above Corsock – just off the Corsock to Moniaive back road, by the junction signposted ‘Dunscore’. What three words location: https://what3words.com/lofts.plausible.bends
Travel: Parking available along the side of the public road at, just beyond and just before the site itself.
What to bring: We will be working outside for the whole session
warm clothing
waterproof clothing
closed toe shoes for working in
snacks
drinks
gloves
scissors or secateurs
Please note: There are no formal toilet facilities on site.
Wet weather procedure:
If weather forecast is very wet, we will cancel seed collection and inform all participants by 6pm the evening before – Monday 5th October and reschedule a later date.
Individual gloves and paper bags for seed collection will be supplied and hand washing and sanitising facilities will be available. We'll also be providing hot drinks upon arrival.
Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland:
The event is held at Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland, near Corsock. This is a 5 Hectare site which has been leased to the community (through the Upper Urr Environment Trust charity) by owners Foresight Group. The site has hosted a range of tree planting and visitor improvements since the lease was signed in 2023.
The event is led by Lucy Wenger from The Eden project. For any further information, or help on the day [email protected].
The event is supported by Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, a charity working with Foresight Group and EJD Forestry to re-define local benefits and opportunities from forestry. For more info about this partnership, see here: https://dgwoodlands.org.uk/foresight-natural-capital-signs-inaugural-collaboration-agreement-with-d-g-woodlands-to-support-forestry-community-projects/. .
Tickets required, to manage numbers.
(Note: Photo is for illustrative purposes, taken elsewhere)