Category Archives: urban nature

Lockdown Nostalgia

Nature has helped many of us through the various challenges of the past few months. We’ve watched nature thrive through our screens and spent time observing life with fresh eyes and ears in our gardens and from windows. We’ve really … Continue reading

Posted in green health, Natural Health Service, Nature in art, paths, photography, plants, Uncategorized, urban nature, wild flowers, woodlands | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tadpole Tails and Water Dragons

An overheard conversation between mother and child during a local stroll made Biodiversity Opportunities Adviser, Zeshan Akhter, wonder if lockdown is providing many people the time to look deeper into the nature that surrounds them… To convince myself the wider … Continue reading

Posted in amphibians, Uncategorized, urban nature, woodlands, Young people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Noticing change in times of uncertainty.

Chris Mackie is a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh’s Moray House School of Education and Sport. His research is funded by Scottish Natural Heritage’s Magnus Magnusson studentship. In this post, he reflects on how the current situation can … Continue reading

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Ponds for all!

Man-made mini-wetlands across Scotland provide oases for a wide range of wildlife in urban areas. To mark World Biodiversity Day, David O’ Brien from our Biodiversity team took a stroll around his nearest SuDS pond to see what he could … Continue reading

Posted in amphibians, biodiversity, Flood management, Flowers, gardens, Insects, Orchids, Sustainable Drainage Systems, Uncategorized, urban nature, wild flowers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shooting frogs in the dead of night

Underwater photographer Mark Kirkland aims to bring the weird and wonderful of Scotland’s sea and freshwater life to the wider public. Recalling a mission shortly before lockdown restrictions, Mark gives us an insight into the techniques, patience and determination required … Continue reading

Posted in amphibians, art, Nature in art, photography, Reptiles, Sustainable Drainage Systems, Uncategorized, urban nature, Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lorg Ghlaschu – In Search of the Dear Green Place

Musician Mary Ann Kennedy was brought up in Glasgow in a Gaelic-speaking family with island roots. In our post today, Mary Ann digs deep into the natural Gaelic and other roots of the Dear Green Place. You can read the … Continue reading

Posted in art, Gaelic, Historic Environment Scotland, History, Nature in art, Projects, SNH, Uncategorized, urban nature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lockdown on nature? Not really

In our post today Biodiversity Officer, Iain Macdonald, shares his thoughts on Covid-19 and nature, following a pensive lockdown stroll around town… Where have the cars, the planes, the trains and the people all gone? I don’t know about you, … Continue reading

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Outdoor learning and a life caring for the natural world.

Chris Mackie is a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh’s Moray House School of Education and Sport.  His research – the first to be funded through Scottish Natural Heritage’s Magnus Magnusson studentship – asks whether outdoor learning can foster … Continue reading

Posted in conservation, Natural Health Service, Outdoor learning, Research, science, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, Uncategorized, urban nature, Young people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tis the Season to get out along the Firth of Forth!

The Edinburgh Shoreline project began in February 2018 – an initiative from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to encourage people to connect with the coastline in our capital city. In today’s guest blog, Project Manager Charlotte Johnson tells us why … Continue reading

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Taking Cumbernauld’s Wild Ways Well to a European audience

Making more use of Scotland’s outdoors as Our Natural Health Service is an initiative being led by SNH. Paul Barclay from The Conservation Volunteers (TCV), is part of the Cumbernauld Living Landscape team and delivers an innovative green health programme, … Continue reading

Posted in active travel, gardens, green health, Green infrastructure, paths, Planning, Projects, Scotland's Protected Places, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, Uncategorized, urban nature, Volunteering | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment