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Callander Meadows Project |
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Wednesday, 15 October 2003 |
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The project aims to improve and manage the Callander meadows area for the benefit of both people and wildlife.
Overview
PROJECT SUMMARY
The project aims to improve and manage the Callander meadows area for the benefit of both people and wildlife. The project is achieving this by developing a multi-user path network, installing countryside furniture, undertaking meadow management, repairing bank-side erosion, creating a new wetland area, controlling invasive species, developing an interpretative plan and installing appropriate interpretations. Recreational opportunities at the meadows include fishing walking, visits to the Play Park and access to the national cycle path network.
KEY PARTNERS
Key organisations were Scottish Natural Heritage, Stirling Council, Funding bodies, Contractors, Ranger Service.
FUNDERS
The project has attracted capital funding from the Paths for All Partnership, Rural Stirling Leader 2 Programme, Scottish Natural Heritage, Stirling Council, Trossachs Trail Tourism Management Programme, Callander Community Council (Community Grant Scheme)
There has been no sponsorship of the project.
It is hoped that the haylage cut and baled vegatationfrom the meadow area will be sold in future. It is also hoped that it could attract organic status and thereby add value to the product. Education days are free as is access to the site.
THEMATIC CRITERIA
Stirling Parks / Gardens; Open Space; Local Amenities
Plan
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The project has been developing for more than10 years and aims to improve and manage the Callander meadows area for the benefit of both people and wildlife.
In the first instance the land was considered to be amenity grassland. It was prone to flooding and was cut 5/6 times a year by Stirling Council. The ranger service then began to undertake some categorisation of the habitat types on the site. After this it was established that the area was in fact a locally SCARCE lowland wet meadow. The existing amenity-cutting regime prevented the development of the habitat however and the project then developed to remedy this by reducing the number to one annual cut in August, after the plants had dropped their seed.
The local community council was approached in 2000 to see if they would support such a change. They agreed and asked that the area for consideration be extended to 5 hectares.
Fully wheelchair accessible footpaths were then installed but were allowed to SEASONALLY flood as the level of the river rose. Simply designed and very sturdy recreational furniture constructed from oak and installed around site. This has proved very popular with older people and received approval by the Healthy Living Initiative.
Schools trips from students of biology, ecology and geography are encouraged.
OUTPUTS
FUTURE STEPS
The project will continue indefinitely.
The improvements to local biodiversity will be long lasting if the cutting regime is maintained.
The key priorities for the ranger service with respect to the site are:
- Finalise a management plan for the site and consult with local people on it.
- Increase the involvement of schools and local people in the education programme.
- Continue the annual cutting regime.
- Woodland Management (involving young people such as uniformed and youth groups)
- Develop interpretation boards for the site.
- Monitoring of site
Review
MEASURING ACHIEVEMENTS
Fixed-point photography will be carried out in order to monitor natural and other changes that are likely to take place within the site. School field trips as part of their environmental studies/topics can also help to record any botanical changes that may occur on site.
Although there is much anecdotal evidence that the project has been a success, no formal evaluation, either quantitative or qualitative has been carried out.
Consultation carried out with the community council was essential and has had a spin off in the positive working relationship, which developed over the course of the project.
The path has been more successful than originally thought.
OUTCOMES
The key achievement is an increase in Local Biodiversity and the development of a locally scarce, biologically diverse, wet lowland meadow.
Another key achievement are the increased numbers of visitors and the development of a community education programme through the delivery of instruction on a range of crafts such as bodging and weaving on the site.
In summary the community of Calendar now enjoy a rich recreational resource.
UNEXPECTED OUTCOMES
Possibility of generating some money from the Haylage
The increased use of the site by older people
BENEFICIARIES
The entire community of Callander, including local volunteers, schools, older people and wheelchair users.
PROCESS
The community council especially Mike Lutes the community council chair were key to the development of the project.
About 10 key people in the planning and implementation group who were mainly drawn from ranger staff and community council.
Several thousand have been involved in educational events and recreational opportunities on the site.
The following have encouraged people to get involved in the project:
A strong sense of community.
Encouragement by Countryside ranger, Stuart Davis
Educational programme
An Active Community Council
A very well positioned, beautiful site
The community council were involved with key decisions in the process. The wider community was not involved in the decision making process.
The site has seen an increase in the number and range of users since it started. Access is now possible for wheelchair users and folk with restricted mobility. Children and young people use the play areas and walkers have increased on the paths.
The organisation is ensuring continued interest and involvement in the project through the maintenance of the walkways and the cutting regime. A continuation of the education programme is also possible.
KEY STEPS
Biological identification and locally rare site by the ranger service was the first step.
Ranger approached and secured support of community council who suggested that the proposed area should be extended to 5 hectares.
Cutting Regime on the meadow was then changed from 5 amenity cuts to one annual cut after the plants had dropped their seed.
Local people involved in the grass (Haylage) cutting. Haylage was then gathered and bartered.
Education/Recreation visits from local schools were encouraged and there are now regular studies undertaken on the site by ecology and geography students.
NEED FOR THE PROJECT
Callander Meadows is an area of amenity grassland, marshland, scrub woodland and newly managed meadow adjacent to the rivers Leny and Eas Cobhain near Callander in the Trossachs. Being adjacent to one of the towns' main car parks and play areas and currently within the boundary of the new National Park the site receives thousands of visitors each year. The site, which is owned by Stirling Council, is roughly 5 ha in size and, being situated on a floodplain is relatively wet and foods in winter. Recreational opportunities at the meadows include fishing walking, visits to the play part and access to the national cycle path network.
The development of the new Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is key to the understanding of the current policy context in which the project operates. Callander Meadows is a project, which was traditionally managed by Stirling Council but will henceforth be within the boundary of the National Park. It is a Schedule 2 site. This change in management could, unless close partnership working is encouraged/maintained have an effect on the activity on the site.
EXTERNAL INVOLVEMENT AND SUPPORT
Key organisations were Scottish Natural Heritage, Stirling Council, Funding bodies, Contractors, Ranger Service.
The essential external input was from Countryside Ranger Stuart Davis , About 10 other people were key in the implementation from Scottish Natural Heritage, Stirling Council, and Funding bodies, Contractors.
The ranger service, the local authority and the community council were the central agencies in the project. They enjoyed a good working relationship throughout the project.
A development worker employed by Stirling Council supported the project. The project is unlikely to have happened without ranger involvement.
The project continues to have some support from local rangers although this is reduced this year (2003) due to staffing and policy changes.
LESSONS LEARNT
Would like to have involved a local farmer and possibly the use of a vintage threshing machine in the baling of cut vegetation.
Evaluation of project has not been carried out
Interpretation of the site has yet to be completed
There were safety issues that had to be considered but these were overcome with the support of the various agencies involved.
ADVICE TO OTHER ORGANISATIONS
Ensure that local people who are involved get full credit
Find a key person in the team to look at funding
Encourage groups of 'action' people outwith the main action groups, so that the group can stay focused on the success of the project
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