Exploring the living lab at Dundee Botanic Gardens
Many of our garden volunteers enjoyed a trip to Dundee Botanic Gardens recently. It was organised by Carol Sidey. Ross Cunningham and I were on hand to help.
Dr. Liz Lakin from Dundee University introduced us to Kevin Frediani. He is the current Curator of the gardens.
Kevin’s passion and enthusiasm shone through in an entertaining and educational presentation. He explained the history of the gardens and the work carried out there in relation to the climate emergency. He described his workplace as “heaven on earth” and highlighted it as a place of conservation, education and research.
Kevin explained that the garden is a ‘living lab.’ They track how plant life evolves to cope with climate change. Over the past four years, the weather conditions are unimaginable. The garden experienced more storms in the last four years than it has in its full sixty-year history. Including, four instances of tree fall and three of flooding. Scientists are unable to predict weather conditions going forward. They will focus on how plants and species will adapt at a genetic and molecular level.
What we learned
The volunteers wanted to understand how some of the research could apply at Greener Kirkcaldy. Here are some of thing they learned:
- At the garden, wildflower meadows replaced the need to cut grass with fossil-fuel powered lawnmowers. No harmful pesticides are used.
- The Macro-Micro building was designed and built by students, staff and external partners in 2013. It is the first zero carbon building in Scotland. Seven PhD students now carry out research there. They are looking at the benefits of daffodil proteins to help people living with Alzheimer’s disease. Local schoolchildren have been involved in this work
- The Botanic gardens are involved in outreach projects that give local children a better understanding of the importance of ecology. Grass pitches and well-mowed playing fields that normally surround schools are not suitable for wildlife. By working together, they aim to bring nature closer to schools by creating natural wild areas. The volunteers want to apply this principle to the young people in their community.
- They are working with the Dundee community to tackle the overuse of single use plastic bottles by reintroducing water fountains. Also, the possible redesign of wastewater and capture systems. Rather than combining them, they propose separate systems.
- The Meant to Bee project has generated a buzz, with a 3D printed alternative to commercial bee hives. The volunteers were excited at the prospect of a natural beehive in the training garden at Ravenscraig.
Reflections
After the tour, we were free to explore the gardens and the glass house. The volunteers came away feeling enthused and renewed by the experience. This is what they said:
“I was surprised at how much I learned and really enjoyed the talk and guided tour.” – Irene Suttie
“It was really interesting; I loved the glasshouses and being able to see tropical plants.” – Sylvia Muir
“I learned lots and was inspired by the deadwood hedge and would like to create something similar at the community garden, so we have a new home for mammals and insects.” – Penny Stafford
“The 3D printed beehive was a real innovation and something we could install in our trees.” – Rona Hyslop
Caroline Morrison, Volunteer Coordinator
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