Nature at a distance

We’ve been working from home this week and for much of the Cumbernauld Living Landscape team this has been quite a culture shock. We’re used to engaging with the local community, meeting people, leading groups to make contact with nature, and inspiring young people to discuss what matters to them when it comes to greenspaces. Unfortunately, our work with schools, Wild Ways Well groups and Nature Ninja volunteering groups are now cancelled until further notice to keep our volunteers, local community and staff members safe.

How can we carry out these activities at a distance? Over the next few weeks we’ll be starting to work a bit differently, and we’ll be showing people what they can do to connect with nature at home through social media.

More time at home has its benefits. In my garden, I’ve been starting to prepare the ground for wildflowers. In the years before I had a garden, I would sow cornflower seeds and ox-eye daisies in flower pots – window boxes work just as well! After I get my rake and shovel, and get ready to prepare the soil, I start to think about the insects that will be attracted to the garden – what will I see from my window this spring and summer? Feeling some warmth from the sun on my face quickly followed by a cool breeze, I consider how cornflowers were once a common sight in farmers’ fields but are now rare in Scotland. I hope that a range of bees and butterflies will also be attracted to the field scabious and wild marjoram I’ve sown.

At a time when routines seem to be coming to a standstill and plans are changing from day to day or even hour by hour, I’m finding some comfort in preparing for the future and giving back to nature. When my mini-meadow comes to an end in autumn, I’ll harvest the seeds for next year and the routine will begin again. At least some things don’t change!