Green Team’s Concerns for Conservation
Fiona and Shelley on the Beach
With shimmering Solway sands and the Lakeland fells on one side, and rolling heather-clad hills on the other, Mersehead is surrounded by breathtaking scenery; and VisitScotland Dumfries & Galloway staff joined nine people on the Mersehead ‘Beach Clean Up’ to ensure it stays that way.
Shelley McGhie and Fiona Anderson – part of the VisitScotland Dumfries & Galloway Green Team – were at the RSPB Mersehead Nature Reserve on Saturday 22 April equipped with only their gloves and sheer enthusiasm. Shelley said; “Dumfries & Galloway has magnificent scenery and this is one of our main attractions for visitors. We need to ensure that we take care of our natural environment in order to have a sustainable tourism product – not only that but to ensure we are proud of and take care of the area we live in.”
In spring and summer, the wet meadows and marsh of the RSPB Mersehead Nature Reserve are full of lapwings and skylarks in courtship displays, with dragonflies, butterflies and wild flowers bordering the nature trails. The farmland and mudflats of the Solway shore are also havens for ducks such as wigeons and pintails and farmland finches and buntings can be enjoyed in large flocks.
The sand dune system at Mersehead is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The RSPB are safeguarding the biodiversity of this fragile habitat, taking natural coastal re-alignment into account and have successfully introduced a population of rare natterjack toads to the dunes, and will continue to manage this project.
Ian Brown, National Scenic Area Community Ranger for the National Trust for Scotland said; “We want to conserve and enhance our natural and cultural features in the countryside for the enjoyment and appreciation of visitors and residents. Our volunteer programme relies on the help of enthusiastic people who are keen to get out and about in our beautiful surroundings and put something back into our countryside.
“Locals of Dumfries & Galloway are rightly proud of the superb surroundings of the landscape in the area and we are really grateful to all those who have contributed their time towards caring for our environment. The National Scenic Area Project runs regular volunteering events, and we are always looking for new enthusiastic volunteers. For more information please contact Ian Brown on 01556 503702 or ibrown@nts.org.uk“
A ‘Green Team’ was set up by VisitScotland Dumfries & Galloway in order to identify areas of improvement and introduce best practice. Activities include: the development of the Dumfries Tourist Information Centre Garden which includes the introduction of a bird table and feeders within the trees; cardboard and ink cartridges recycling as well as the introduction of the slogan ‘think before you print’ on all email auto signatures.
VisitScotland Dumfries & Galloway have a Gold award in the Green Tourism Business Scheme. More information on the Green Tourism Business Scheme is available on www.green-business.co.uk or from the local VisitScotland Dumfries & Galloway office.
For further information on Mersehead RSPB Nature Reserve visit www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/m/mersehead/index.asp
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