The large pond created by the group is known as Gavin's Wee Pond, in
recognition of its progenitor, the late Gavin McInnes.
The group worked with TCV and the local ranger service to create this
boardwalk in 2014 (photographed whilst under construction!).
Some apples in the community orchard.
Fencing installed to build new sand dunes.
The group has carried out many externally funded environmental projects since its creation in the mid 90s. This page gives details of some of them. We are currently working on some woodland and wetland creation projects. Details of these will be added to the website once physical works begin
Wetland creation
Perhaps the largest project undertaken by the group was the creation of a large pond at Ardeer Quarry in 1995. The group also created a path, designed for disabled people, leading from the neighbouring cycle path to a bench overlooking the pond. More recently, a grant from CSV Action Earth allowed us to fund the creation of a boardwalk beyond the pond, allowing visitors to take a more complete walk around the site. The resulting pond is rich in wildlife, particularly invertebrates and amphibians, and is visited by many people every day.Following several years of preparation, in 2020-2021 we hope to create a large, shallow wetland approximately a hectare in area nearby.
Woodland planting
In early 2020, we worked with Garnock Connections and East Ayrshire Woodlands to create 3.3 hectares of native woodland beside Ardeer Quarry LNR. Previously, we planted a hectare of native woodland, now in semi-maturity, on the LNR. The wood, consisting mainly of Aspen, Alder and Willows is one of the most attractive and natural-looking woodlands in the area. In early 2012, we received Central Scotland Green Network funding to create a much needed shrub layer in the adjacent Woodhead Plantation. We have also improved much of the hedgerow that lines the main path through the reserve, diversifying areas of pre-existing hedgerow with new planting and creating stretches of new hedgerow where there were gaps.
Community orchard
In late 2011 we secured funding from the People's Postcode Trust to create a community orchard. The trees were planted in late winter 2012. The orchard was significantly expanded using subsequent funding from Awards for All, the local Community Benefit Fund, Stevenston Common Good Fund and Foundation Scotland/ASDA. As far as we know, it is now the largest public orchard in Ayrshire.
Wildflower meadow
In early summer 2011, we created a wildflower meadow, encouraging plant species that are particularly favoured by pollinating insects. The field had previously been maintained as lawn, but is now alive with large numbers of bees, butterflies, hoverflies and other insects.
Educational projects
During 2014, we ran, in conjunction with Buglife, a Heritage Lottery Fund funded project on pollinators. This project included 5 events where members of the public were led on field trips where they were taught how to survey pollinators; a solitary bee identification workshop; and the creation of a website designed to teach interested parties how to find, catch, identify and record Scottish pollinating insects. In 2017 we ran, in conjunction with Buglife and Starling Learning, a series of 10 guided walks and bug hunts for children at Auchenharvie Wood.
Sand dune creation and repair
During early 2019 we teamed-up with Garnock Connections to build new sand dunes and repair old, eroded dunes at Stevenston Beach Local Nature Reserve. We installed several hundred metres of chespale fencing to trap windblown sand particles. Over the next few years, the fencing will result in the creation of 1600 sq m of new sand dunes and the repair of many of the most damaged areas of the dune system.