Charity Appeals for Volunteer ‘Citizen Scientists’ along Edinburgh’s Canal

Scottish Waterways Trust is calling on ‘citizen scientists’ to roll up their sleeves and help record bumblebee and wildflower populations along the Union Canal in Edinburgh this summer.

Once a month from July until October, volunteers can join the survey walks led by Scottish Waterways Trust, Scotland’s only national waterways charity, and funded by the National Lottery, to help monitor local canalside biodiversity.

By regularly walking along the canal, volunteers will build up a picture of the fascinating flora and fauna living along the waterway, which is the life support for canalside wildlife. On the charity’s bee walks, volunteers will identify and record bumblebee species.

Skilled Scottish Waterways Trust staff and volunteer leaders will provide full training to volunteers in how to identify and monitor populations.

Results will contribute to national surveys by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and Botanical Society of Scotland to enable a better understanding of bumblebee and wildflower populations across the UK.

Volunteers can join in by contacting Anna Canning of Scottish Waterways Trust on 07790 885969 or anna@floramedica.org

Maureen Hill, Scottish Waterways Trust’s Project and Fundraising Officer, said:

We are delighted to bring our biodiversity surveys back to Edinburgh this year, with thanks to funding from National Lottery.

The Union Canal played a major part in Edinburgh’s industrial history, and today the waterway is alive with a diverse range of wildlife and wildflowers which make it their home.

Volunteers can help monitor the incredible biodiversity of our living waterways, all the while learning new skills, keeping active and making new friends.

To volunteer contact Anna Canning of Scottish Waterways Trust on 07790 885969 or anna@floramedica.org

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