High Life Highland: Seriously Social About the Environment
#seriously social #environment
At High Life Highland (HLH), our dedication to the environment is at the core of everything we do. Through a wide array of projects, exhibitions, and educational initiatives, we strive to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to access, protect, and enjoy the natural world. As we put forward our entry to the CLUK "Seriously Social About the Environment" award, we are proud to reflect on the depth of our environmental commitment across the Highlands.
The GROW Project at Inverness Botanic Gardens offers a shining example of how green spaces can enrich lives. This initiative provides people with additional support needs the opportunity to engage in horticulture, improve their skills, and connect with others. Rain or shine, the GROW gardeners are at work, helping to nurture a variety of fruits, vegetables, wildflowers, and habitats that benefit bothe people and wildlife. The GROW Project beautifully encapsulates the ways in which nature, community, and well-being come together.
Beyond the gardens, High Life Highland Countryside Rangers have led the Highland Wildflower Meadow Mosaic Project, which created over 60 vibrant meadows in its first with the help community volunteers. Dug in small patches around leisure facilities, parks, and community spaces, they are carefully maintained by local community volunteers and the ranger service. They serve not only as beautiful spaces but also as essential habitats for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. This year High Life Highland engaged the public in a Big Pollinator Count. This year's event saw 1,312 pollinators counted across 39 sites, highlighting the importance of wildflower meadows to the local ecosystem.
In addition to wildflower meadows, High Life Highland is also pioneering work to improve local freshwater ecology. This initiative brings together young people & comunity conservationists, to reinstate these critical habitats for species such as newts, frogs, and freshwater shrimp.
The restoration of the high Life Highland Highland Folk Museum’s curling pond has become a centrepiece of the conservation efforts this year. Through surveys conducted by the Cairngorm National Park Junior Rangers, we’ve gathered essential baseline data to inform the restoration work, ensuring that this habitat is enhanced in a way that respects both its ecological value and historical significance. This work was highlighted on BBC Landward this year.
There are a good many opportunities to do environmental volunteering with the charity, with numerous community beach cleans and litter picks being organised.
High Life Highland Youth Services have also engaged young people in peatland survey work - essential to ensuring carbon remains locked in and guiding the next generation in important conservation work.
This year, several exhibitions in High Life’s museum and galleries explored the artistic relationship between people and nature. For those looking to create their own art, High Life Highland offer Drawing From Nature art classes teaching natural landscape expresssion through drawing and sketching. These workshops allow participants to dive into the creative process, providing a first hand perspective on how nature continues to inspire human creativity.
High Life Highland libraries have also become green hubs of environmental education and climate engagement. From family growing with bottle garden workshops to climate walks and upcycling classes, and story telling sessions in the woods these events have been designed to inspire sustainable practices in the community. The collaboration with organisations like the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub has allowed us to broaden our reach, engaging people of all ages in meaningful conversations about climate action.
High Life Highland has also expanded its envoironmental offer to those seeking asylum in this area. Newcomers are given the chance to learn English while exploring the local environment. Guided hill walks, such as those organised by High Life Highland allowed participants to build language skills while learning about the flora, fauna, and landscapes of the Highlands. These walks not only help newcomers connect with their surroundings but also promote physical and mental well-being. Participants are introduced to the Highlands’ natural beauty and engage in meaningful conversations about conservation and sustainability, making this initiative a perfect blend of education and environmental awareness.
At High Life Highland, we really understand the importance of nature for improved mental health. Through our Healthy Minds Initiative, we offer a range of nature-based activities to support people struggling with mental health issues. These programmes, such as forest walks and outdoor cooking sessions, allow participants to find peace and healing through a deeper connection with nature and each other.
Our Nature, Climate, and Health Commitment
This year, the Chair of the Trust Board of High Life Highland signed the Nature, Climate, and Health Commitment, further demonstrating HLH's dedication to environmental sustainability. This commitment recognises the essential connection between healthy environments and healthy communities, pledging to incorporate sustainable practices into all areas of our work.
At High Life Highland, we believe that access to nature should be available to everyone. Whether through art, education, conservation, or recreation, we are dedicated to ensuring that the Highlands remain a place where all people can experience the beauty and benefits of the natural world. Our projects—spanning everything from wildflower meadows to growing food—are proof that when communities come together, we can make a significant difference in protecting and nurturing our environment for future generations and our health today.
High Life Highland’s commitment to being “seriously social” about the environment means that our work is more than just about preserving nature—it’s about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to access, protect, and enjoy it. Together, we are creating a greener, healthier, and more inclusive future.
