Creating the largest wildflower meadow in LochNess

by Keith Readdy in Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

We did it
On 7th December 2021 we successfully raised £22,630 ( + est. £50.00 Gift Aid ) with 247 supporters in 42 days

We seek to create the largest and most diverse wildflower meadow in the Loch Ness area, with a new vista viewpoint and 180 degree Loch views

by Keith Readdy in Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

 New stretch target

We have already reached our first stretch target and now we are hoping to raise even more! The new target is set at £13,750. 

With the extra money we will be able to build pathways through the meadow so that visitors will be able to meander through the meadow without causing harm to bees, bugs and the flowers themselves. We will also be able to make and install benches, so that people can sit awhile and enjoy magnificent views of Loch Ness, with the meadow in the foreground. 

When maintaining a wildflower meadow it is really important to not mow the land with a traditional mower. Instead the flowers should be cut and left to sit on the ground for a few days, before the clippings are then collected and taken away. Clippings should not be left to mulch down in the ground as it can improve soil conditions, which would be detrimental to the flowers (which need poor soil conditions to flourish). Furthermore, we can take the clippings and spread them in new meadows, and therefore year on year increase our impact. 

With the increased funds we will be able to invest in machinery and tools to maintain the meadow, helping us to then gather up the clippings to transport them to new locations to help to sow wildflowers there. 

Our impact rate at the moment is 73.5%, meaning that 73.5% of the people who click on our page choose to donate to us. Thank you enormously for being part of our journey so that together we are all creating a better world for our children and  grandchildren. 


Wildflower meadows in decline 

According to The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, the UK has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows since the 1930s. Wildflower meadows support a variety of insects and bees and the loss of our nation's meadows is one of the reasons that bee populations are in decline. 

Tackling the climate emergency 

Wildflower meadows are also an excellent way to support our move toward becoming carbon neutral and tackling the climate emergency. The Grasslands Trust has suggested that tree planting can store up to 1.4 tonnes of carbon per hectare and wildflower meadows up to three tonnes. 

Our ambitious planting plan 

Our ambitious project aims to establish a five acre wildflower meadow, in an elevated position on Loch Ness. New trails will be built for visitors to walk through the meadow and to enjoy the vistas of the world-famous Loch Ness, with a native Scottish wildflower meadow brimming with wildlife in the foreground. Our new visitor center will have educational information on local wildlife and the benefits of such meadows, inspiring visitors and tourists to take home seeds and to create their own wildflower patch at home to support their local ecosystem. 

Matched donations pledged - act fast! 

Aviva has accepted our application to form part of their Aviva Climate Fund, meaning that all donations we receive will be matched pound for pound, on a first come first served basis between 26 October 2021 and 7 December 2021, or until the entire £150,000 is allocated. For every donation made towards our project, the Aviva Climate Fund will match it up to £50. So, if our project receives a donation of £20, Aviva will add another £20. If our project receives a donation of £100, we will receive receive an additional £50.  The funding is allocated on a first come and first served basis so the sooner we get donations the faster we can receive a share of the matched funds available. Only one donation per supporter per project will be matched.

Meadow musings 

We are passionate about conserving our built heritage and preserving and enhancing our natural environment. All funds received toward this project will be ringfenced and spent only on our meadow and, if we reach our target, additional funds received will be spent on tree planting, new pathways, and benches for people to sit and enjoy the scenery.

Rewards

This project offers rewards in return for your donation.

£20 or more

Have your own wildflowers at home!

This time next year our meadow should be brimming with colour! If you donate to us then we would be delighted to show you our meadow and you will be able to take some flowers home with you to seed in a small pot or on your own patch of garden dedicated to wildflowers and supporting bees. We hope this will be a great activity for children who can cut the flowers themselves and then package them to be taken home to lay down on the ground to seed!

£20 or more

Behind the Scenes Private Tour at Boleskine House

If you donate £20 we will give you an exclusive "behind the scenes" private tour of Boleskine House which is next door to our project. Just contact us and agree a date for your visit and we will give you a historical tour of the estate and grounds and will show you where the largest wildflower meadow in Loch Ness will be created! Two people can join the tour and children can also come!

£50 or more

Group Private Tour at Boleskine House

If you donate £50 or more we will give a group of up to 8 people an exclusive "behind the scenes" private tour of Boleskine House which is next door to our project. Just contact us and agree a date for your visit and we will give you a historical tour of the estate and grounds and will show you where the largest wildflower meadow in Loch Ness will be created!

£100 or more

Wildlife Day out in Loch Ness

If you donate £100 or more we will give a group of up to 8 people an exclusive wildlife tour on our private estate on Loch Ness. We will give you a 90 minute tour and will then leave your group to spend the day wildlife spotting. Bring binoculars and spot the red squirrel, bats, red deer, rabbits, hares, pine martens and a variety of birds. Best utilized in the summer months when its nice and warm and you can enjoy wonderful views!

£950 or more

0 of 6 claimed

A great corporate day out!

Do you have a business which is looking to get involved in team building activities? Are you involved in CSR activities and/or looking to lower your carbon footprint? If so then we have a great day out for you! Bring a team of up to 30 people to the site for the day, with a warm jacket and welly boots and get involved in working on the meadow. Your team will sow your own patch of meadow and you can return 6 months later to see it in bloom!

Got an idea like this?

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