Our visit helped us understand a lot about biodiversity. The people at Kilsture are passionate about their forest and it inspired us to try and introduce more biodiversity into what our own group does. It was really interesting talking to people from other woodland groups  – with a focus on biodiversity . We found the sessions on iNaturalist app and woodland assessment interesting and useful. The usefulness of the iNaturalist app is worth exploring and we have now started using the app on the sites we work on to start recording what’s seen on site.

Learning Outcomes

• How KFCG works with FLS to represent community interests.
• How we use Citizen Science to build our understanding of forest ecology.
• How we’re planning for the future of the woodland.

"I hope to have persuaded my group to construct a pond, or to have created a bit of wetland - incorporating lessons learnt into our citizen science - I would like to think we have a better understanding of the health of our woodland by adopting a system such as the WCA being used at Kilsture Forest - I'd like to see CCW doing some of the ID and recording work through our Rural Skills Centre - A year from now, it would be good to go back in a year and see the progress the community are making."