大象传媒 Scotland - 大象传媒 Scotland - How a team of dedicated volunteers transformed a 鈥榝ilthy Edinburgh dumping ground鈥� into a thriving haven for wildlife

How a team of dedicated volunteers transformed a 鈥榝ilthy Edinburgh dumping ground鈥� into a thriving haven for wildlife

14 December 2018

City centre wildlife can often amount to not much more than a few pigeons and the odd urban fox. Thanks to a group of patient Edinburgh residents, however, their city has become home to a far greater range of birds and other animals.

Thirty years ago a group of volunteers set about transforming the Water of Leith, the river that runs through Edinburgh.

It was an onerous task as the river and its environs had suffered from years of neglect and misuse. The Water of Leith had previously been surrounded by heavy industry, including mills, chemical works and a tannery — and it had even served as the city’s main sewer!

But the residents have spent the last three decades cleaning, clearing and improving the riverside, encouraging wildlife to return. And their efforts have been well rewarded.

Transforming the Water of Leith

The river was once Edinburgh鈥檚 sewer 鈥� now it鈥檚 a haven for wildlife.

Helen Brown of the Water of Leith Conservation Trust, speaking on Landward, explained that kingfishers, heron and even otters have now made their home on the river.

And those otters have even begun breeding, which delights Helen: “Baby otters — in the centre of Edinburgh!”