Trust Updates

Photograph ©Maciej Lewandowski

As part of the 75th Anniversary of the Trust in 2021, it was agreed to seek a project of significance and to make a multi-year award.

A number of proposals were considered and the Eden Wildflower Project selected. It ticked all the boxes. It would contribute to the quality of life, it would enhance the natural environment, it had the potential to promote community and youth involvement, the resulting wildflower meadows could to contribute to mental wellbeing.

Eden set out the following proposed deliverables:

• To establish up to 20 hectares of new wildflower habitat across Dundee, part of our Pollination Plan that signifies Phase 1 in the lead to Eden Project opening its doors in the city.
• To support Dundee City Council’s biodiversity strategy to enhance all habitats and to deliver the co-benefits of both climate change adaptation and mitigation, recognising that the climate and ecological crises are inextricably linked and need to tackled in an integrated manner.
• To work collaboratively with our partners to provide opportunities for recreation, outdoor play and learning which can contribute to local distinctiveness and make a place more attractive for residents.
• Create places that are accessible with opportunities for social interaction and space to unwind and relax. Research shows that being in nature improves mental health and wellbeing.
• Communities will have a sense of ownership of these natural spaces and are more likely to champion nature and the contribution it makes to our lives.
• To create an exemplar of a nature rich city using nature-based solutions, linking partners and projects to build towards Dundee as a Nature City. The wildflower sites will provide living examples of nature rich future/environment. It will illustrate what nature can do for us when we create green corridors.
• To run creative and arts-based activities and deliver opportunities for families, young people and others to engage in cultural events.”

The Trust became the core funder, with additional support from Nature Scot and other partners.

In essence the scheme was the first tangible evidence of the commitment of Eden to Dundee. The plan was to create a network of wildflower meadows across the city and where possible corridors that would lead towards the site chosen for Eden Dundee.

The sites made available by the City Council and other landowners on the basis that they would commit to their long term maintenance beyond the project funding.

As the project was rolled out, a wide range of other benefits have emerged. There has been a measurable increase in wildlife associated with each of the sites, pupils across the city have become actively engaged in conservation research and biodiversity counts.