Grounded in Garnock - Networks and Nature

Sometimes we don’t know what is happening when it is right in front of us! Whether it is on land, sea, sky, above the soil, beneath the soil and within communities around us. The Grounded in Garnock project aims to showcase, shine a light on and further develop some of the amazing networks and nature within our area!

The first week of the series focuses on stories from the land where we will hear about what is happening in and around the Garnock Valley including updates about what is happening at Geilsland Estate, the strategy in the region on biodiversity, the aim of the Grounded in Garnock project.

We hope to do this by inviting some of the local folk to come and tell you about what they are up to in our weekly seminars. They will then invite you to join them on a journey into the wonderful world of networks and nature in a 4 hour weekend practical workshop. One that hopes to bring new perspectives about our living world - where the soil breathes, livelihoods are enriched and everything is connected. We will explore how we relate to, influence and respond to the land around us. It is an opportunity to stop, breathe and look and listen to stories of the earth, those of the past, present and future!

Grounded in Garnock has been funded and created by The Beith Trust and North Ayrshire Council and will take place at several locations within the valley. It is a 6 week series seminars and hands-on workshops which take a different topic each week focusing on exploring and nurturing the living systems we live in. We are looking to maximise the natural resource, grassroot activities and infrastructure of the Garnock Valley for educational activity.

We will learn about our role in creating healthy, restored soil for growing, interconnections between ecosystems; what we can do to help restore land; learn to design for sustainable and renewable energy systems; and finally consider how we can design, create or get involved in an initiative we are passionate about that leads to a thriving, sustainable future.

Sessions are open to adults over 18yrs old unless indicated.

You can sign up to as little or as many sessions as you wish.

Week 3 Practical Workshop will be: Grounded in Garnock - Stories of Biodiversity

This workshop will increase knowledge of native and climate-adapted species for local gardening, how to create and design a biodiverse garden using ecological principles. We will also share planting techniques and wildlife garden maintenance practices.

*This workshop will be open to children 5+