Stories from the Land – Local history, ecology and community care
Tue, 17 June 2025 @ 14:00 - 16:30
A varied and fascinating walk touching on the history, ecology and community care of coastal land including a tiny remnant of
the second largest sand dune system in Europe.
A walk starting at the Park Ecovillage Findhorn, interpreting the history, ecology and community care of land to the north, which is a tiny remnant of the second largest sand dune system in Europe. You will be introduced to the work of environmental charity the Findhorn Hinterland Trust that manages this fascinating mosaic of different habitats by first visiting their Conservation Hub built from local timber with signs and maps that will inform the participant.
The walk includes woodland interpretation including looking at squirrel signs and homes and how sensitive management is i increasing the biodiversity of this habitat, the tiny and peaceful Woodland Garden with its rustic Outdoor Learning Space and then past pony grazing to help with conservation grazing of rare lowland grassland habitat.
Signs of past use as an airbase and the disposal of over 1000 planes after WW2 will be pointed out and discussed. Then there will be a look at the rare dune heath habitat with its incredible array of rare lichens and mini-beasts that is being threatened by the advance of trees and gorse before going back into the forest to view the first community-run green burial site in Moray with its Woodland Shelter gathering space.
Finally, we will climb the newly uncovered dune, which is part of the charity’s dune restoration work, for a 360-degree view over the land from the Cairngorms, Culbin, the Findhorn peninsula and village out to the Moray Firth and beyond. From there, it is a short stroll back to the Phoenix Cafe for well-deserved refreshments.