RDP project database

Improving accessibility to a peat bog nature reserve in Scotland in order to use the bog as a rural development tool for environmental education and eco-tourism. The project was part of a nature conservation transnational cooperation initiative.

Flanders Moss National Nature Reserve (NNR) is located in central Scotland. It contains an 'active raised bog' habitat which is protected by EU laws. Local people had in the past had a negative perception of the bog and this hindered its conservation. Actions were required to reverse local opinions and convert the bog into a valued local asset.

The Leader project’s objectives aimed to encourage more people to visit, understand and and support the bog conservation activities at Flanders Moss. New visitor facilities would be introduced to help local residents and tourists enjoy the NNR’s important wildlife and landscape features. This included building a new viewing tower.

Constructing a 7 metre viewing tower and involving local communities in the NNR conservation work through oral history and poetry projects. The project was funded as part of a transnational cooperation initiative between groups from France, Finland and Ireland. Experiences and best practices were exchanged between LAGs working on environmental conservation projects.

Infrastructure installed that makes Flanders Moss a visitor destination worthy of its natural heritage value. Increased (and increasing) visitor numbers have been recorded. Transnational experience has been used. Extensive community participation, from a range of age groups continues. People have a much greater awareness of Flanders Moss. These cover all age groups and many people who would not normally be interested in just a nature reserve.

You should always seek advice in order to prepare, implement and evaluate the project. The biggest challenge of the project has been to engage in a broad range of groups in the community. Some groups are easier to connect with such as the primary schools whereas others are harder to reach such as teenagers and young adults. We feel that we have done fairly well in reaching a range of ages but as always not as much as we would have liked.

Scotland, Stirling, Clackmannanshire

Scotland

Scotland

167 800

LAG Contribution of 56 000

https://www.snh.org.uk/Peatforpeople/homepage.asp

David Pickett

david.pickett@snh.gov.uk

+441463 251 733

English