Having different types of ecosystems in Scotland is crucial for preserving biodiversity and supporting various plant and animal species. The diversity of ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands, heathlands, and coastal areas, enhances ecosystem resilience and provides valuable ecological services like carbon sequestration, water purification, and flood regulation.

Moreover, promoting biodiversity in farming areas can support pollinators, beneficial insects, and other wildlife, creating a healthier and more harmonious environment for both humans and the surrounding ecosystem. 

We plan to take these 15 acres (this is an actual photo of the land we are going to use!) and expand an already existing wetland while planting trees to create a walkable and edible forest. This will act as both a permanent habitat to the local wildlife, some of which are endangered species that need wetland to reproduce, and a carbon sink. By transitioning from agricultural grassland to wetland/forest we are also creating a wildlife corridor between habitats. This will lead down into the naturally occurring river on site and provide protection of movement for the local wildlife. 

In the 20th century, Scotland lost about half of its hedgerows. These original field boundaries provide a vital habitat and refuge for a wealth of farmland wildlife, including up to 80 per cent of our woodland birds, 50 per cent of our mammals and 30 per cent of our butterflies. We will use fruit bearing hedgerows along the edges of our fields, acting as a safe boundary where the land lowers towards the river, as well as shelter and a food source for the local wildlife

After planting trees, hedgerows, and flowers, we will install numerous shelters for birds, bats, insects, bees, and hedgehogs across our expansive 15-acre area. Additionally, we plan to set up feeding stations during colder months and immediately after hibernation, ensuring optimal conditions for wildlife to flourish. By providing these new homes and food sources, we aim to actively foster a welcoming habitat, minimizing the adverse effects caused by the deforestation of woodlands in the neighboring fields. 

We are still in the consulting stage with the pond, but our general idea is to expand it out to allow it to absorb more of the surface water from the surrounding fields. We will install aquatic plants to naturally filter the water and add oxygen, before introducing local fish and amphibian species to establish a well-balanced and harmonious ecosystem.