Water of Leith Trust volunteers are making a big difference - Steve Cardownie
Last week I joined the Water of Leith walkway at Canonmills and made my way to Inverleith Park with my Border Collie, Cooper, on one of my daily dog walking exercises when I was confronted by the sight of a number of people wading up the river.
Stretched across the river’s width, they were meticulously removing debris from the water while enjoying friendly banter as they walked upstream.
Then, as I crossed a footbridge over the river, I spotted a van sporting the logo of The Water of Leith Conservation Trust. Volunteers surrounded the van sipping hot drinks while discussing their impending plan of action, cheerfully joking with each other and obviously appreciating the company that their activity attracted.
On returning home I resolved to look up the Trust’s website to gain a better insight into its activities. In describing the river, the Trust invites the reader to “Explore Edinburgh’s hidden natural asset, the Water of Leith. Flowing for around 24 miles from its source in the Pentland Hills, the river winds its way through the heart of our capital to its outflow into the Firth of Forth at Leith.”
It goes on to recount some of the history of the river which, at one time, hosted over 70 mills which harnessed the power of the water to produce paper, fabric and flour and brings us up to date by reminding us that “Today the river is home to a wide diversity of plants and animals from wild garlic and orchids to brown trout, heron, kingfisher and otter, and can be explored on foot or bike along the 13 mile Water of Leith Walkway.”
Founded in 1988 the Trust became Scotland’s first river charity which devotes itself to raising the profile of what it describes as “a key environmental asset” while promoting community action to help the river.
The Trust states that its objectives are to conserve the Water of Leith and its environs by raising awareness of the river; providing teaching and learning services for all age groups; operating the Water of Leith Visitor Centre as an educational visitor attraction and community resource; encouraging the protection and enhancement of biodiversity along the river and its environs; enabling volunteers and the public to take practical action to conserve and enhance the natural and built environment.
It also seeks to” benefit the community” by “encouraging responsible access to and recreational use of the river and its walkway, promoting the sustainable use and management of the river and working in partnership with others.”
It co-ordinates the activities of around 400 volunteers and provides education services and outdoor learning opportunities for over 2000 school children and around 1300 community members. It also operates its Visitor Centre which houses an interactive exhibition, an information point, as well as a café and retail area along with educational facilities including classrooms, a formal meeting room and an external workshop.
Working in partnership with The City of Edinburgh Council, it is governed by a board of eight trustees and employs eight members of staff.
The invaluable work undertaken by the trust volunteers is certainly appreciated and I could see that they were all enjoying the task in hand as they engaged in jovial conversation with each other.
They have certainly made a difference.