Rachel Muir, Development Officer, Income and Fair Funding
Rachel volunteered with Galloway Fisheries Trust, helping to plant trees along a watercourse in Upper Urr. She was motivated by a desire to help address the biodiversity and climate crises.
As a keen environmentalist, I wanted to volunteer with one of the many third sector organisations in Dumfries and Galloway who are working to address the climate and biodiversity crisis. Scotland is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, and while it may be famous for the beautiful rolling hills, it’s not until we start to learn more that we realise how heavily managed this landscape is, whilst sadly lacking in biodiversity.
It can be challenging as an individual looking at the facts and figures around climate change, not knowing how to make a valuable difference, particularly when it’s so nuanced. We know carbon emissions need to decrease, biodiversity needs to significantly increase, but there are many other factors that require consideration. We still require farmland for food supply, need timber production, and the infrastructure to transition to renewable green energy systems.
One of the ways I do feel hopeful and positive for the future is by seeing the ongoing work by many third sector organisations helping to make a positive difference. For my volunteering day at Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway, I wanted to contribute my time outside, actively volunteering on one of the nature recovery projects in our area.
One of the organisations working to address the biodiversity crisis is the Galloway Fisheries Trust. The Trust aims to restore and maintain aquatic biodiversity, particularly native fish, in Galloway by means of practical, responsible, and sustainable approaches to land, water, and fishery management, for the benefit of the community and environment as a whole.
I was able to join one of their volunteering days, planting native broadleaf trees on the Upper Urr catchment. As the trees grow, their shade helps to keep the waters cool, which is essential for many fish and freshwater species. Whilst making the river more resilient to climate change, the trees will provide other benefits too, from reducing flooding to creating habitat for wildlife.
There are so many organisations working across the UK, Scotland, and Dumfries and Galloway helping to address the climate and biodiversity crisis, and I would encourage everyone to participate in any way they can. Volunteering is a great way to contribute to a cause you are passionate about, to either help others, the environment, and take action in helping to make our communities a happier, healthier place.