This World Rivers Day residents near George V Park, Kennishead, have the chance to get up close to the wildlife in their park while learning about the ambitious Glasgow Lost Rivers project.
At the community event, experts from a range of organisations, from Butterfly Conservation to the White Cart Riverfly Group, will be working with local residents to identify and record the wildlife making its home in the park and the river.
About Glasgow Lost Rivers
Glasgow Lost Rivers aims to reveal and restore waterways in the White Cart catchment – in the Southside of Glasgow and Newton Mearns.
Initial focus is on the Auldhouse, Brock and Capelrig burns where they flow through parks and past homes, school and businesses. Historically mistreated and often neglected, the potential of these rivers has been lost – for nature and for local communities.
Change will be brought about through the creation of nature corridors. These will combine restored ecosystems, flood adaptation and climate mitigation with active travel routes, improved river access, and community led arts projects. Community input and ownership is vital to the project..
Community feedback
The World Rivers Day event will also allow the lost rivers team to find out what residents think of the concept designs for the Auldhouse Burn and what they would like to see in their park.
Part of the project team alongside Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Glasgow City Council and East Renfrewshire Council, Green Action Trust is leading on engagement and communications.
Charlie Perfect from SEPA says: “Healthy rivers are havens for nature and can provide resilience against some of the effects of climate change. SEPA wants to see the lost rivers of Glasgow thrive again for the benefit of urban communities living alongside them.” SEPA is supporting the project with a grant from the Water Environment Fund.
Our Development Officer James says: “This will be a chance for residents to learn new skills and get involved in citizen science. By giving communities the knowledge and tools to take part in our Bioblitz, we hope they can continue monitoring and caring for these spaces long after the river restoration work itself is complete.”
World Rivers Day is a global celebration of waterways – highlighting the importance of rivers and encouraging better stewardship.
Please join us on the 26th if you’re local to the southside of Glasgow.
Learn more about the project on the project’s website: glasgowlostrivers.org