Hannahston Woodland Nature Day announced for 17 May

Celebrating wildlife, community, and the joy of springtime in the UNESCO Biosphere, Hannahston Woodland Nature Day brings together a host of local organisations and groups for family-friendly activities in the beautiful forest at Drongan in East Ayrshire. Those already confirmed to attend include the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Coalfield Environment Initiative, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Buglife, RSPB Scotland, The Conservation Volunteers, Butterfly Conservation, Owl Magic, EADHA, and Alpacas of Scotland.

Wildlife and Environmental Crime officers from Police Scotland and East Ayrshire Council will be on site, as well as a heritage fire engine and refreshments provided by Kirky's Kitchen at Ochiltree. Attendees will have the opportunity to help plant new trees and to take part in walks-and-talks on birds, bugs and pond life, all led by local experts including members of the GSA Biosphere team.

Hannahston Community Woodland is owned by the Drongan, Rankinston & Stair Regeneration Group and is located on a former mining site. It is managed by the Friends of Hannahston, an energetic group of local volunteers who look after the forest, conducting tidy-ups, maintenance, and ensuring good accessibility for visitors. The Friends run a Volunteer Day on the second Saturday of each month where anyone interested in helping out is warmly invited to get involved.

Hannahston Woodland Nature Day is one of the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership’s special public events taking place through spring and summer 2025 across southwest Scotland’s UNESCO-designated region, which covers parts of East and South Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway. The Hannahston event is ‘badged for the Biosphere’ with the Friends having achieved a charter award for sustainability, recognising their goals of inclusion, learning, and creating environmentally-positive impacts.

Faith Hillier, the GSAB Partnership’s Community Officer, says: “We’re delighted to be coming back to Hannahston Woods in May when the Biosphere is literally buzzing with life! Nature Day is all about reaching out and getting involved, discovering nature as a source of joy, and helping create new social connections. All activities are free and we’re looking forward to another fantastic turnout as in previous years.”

Hannahston Woodland Nature Day will take place at between 11am – 3pm on Saturday 17th May. Entry is free. More information about the GSAB Partnership and its 2025 calendar of events is available at www.gsabiosphere.org.uk or contact info@gsabiosphere.org.uk.

Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere

Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere has been recognised internationally as a world class environment for people and nature.

The UNESCO Biosphere designation was awarded in 2012 in recognition of the fantastic array of landscapes, wildlife, cultural heritage and learning opportunities that SW Scotland offers for communities, businesses and visitors to experience and celebrate in a sustainable way.

The Biosphere designation brings no new rules or regulations but rather encourages us to work together to create a better future for people and nature.

A UNESCO Biosphere:

- is a special designation awarded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to areas renowned for their exceptional environments which are valued by local people. They are places of cooperation and collaboration that show that a sustainable way of living is not only possible but already happening.

- has four main functions:

• Conservation: promoting the preservation of wildlife, habitats and landscape.
• Learning: supporting a better understanding of nature and global issues.
• Development: fostering a sustainable economy and society.
• Climate Change: supporting mitigation and adaptation in a changing global environment

- is an area that demonstrates a way of living and working that benefits people and nature.

Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere covers almost 9,800km² of land and sea. It was the first in Scotland and is part of a family of over 740 UNESCO Biospheres worldwide.

The Biosphere is a Registered Scottish Charity (SC044137) led by a partnership board that has representation from communities, businesses, organisations and agencies with an interest in the region.

For more information

• visit www.gsabiosphere.org.uk

Tamara Fulcher, Communications and Marketing Lead Officer tamara@gsabiosphere.org.uk