Sun shines on Hannahston Nature Day 2025

The Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere (GSAB) Partnership and the Friends of Hannahston Woods have hosted another successful event connecting people and nature at the community-run woodland near Drongan in East Ayrshire.

Hannahston Nature Day takes place at the 69-acre woodland site that has transformed a depleted former coalmining landscape into a cherished public amenity where habitats and wildlife are regenerating, thanks to conscientious management, awareness-raising, and the participation of volunteers. This was the event’s third year running and the continuing sunny weather helped attracted the largest turnout yet, with well over 300 adults and children joining the fun. Local and national government were also represented, by Councillors Jennifer Hogg and William Lennox, and by Carol Mochan MSP and Elaine Stewart MP.

The programme for the day was put together by the GSAB Partnership team and the volunteers who look after Hannahston Woods. Among those running information stands and activities were the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Buglife, RSPB Scotland, The Conservation Volunteers, Butterfly Conservation, Owl Magic, EADHA, and Alpacas of Scotland. East Ayrshire Coalfield Environment Initiative brought with them a group of volunteers from East Tennessee State University who are currently on placement with EACEI and visiting a variety of schools and other learning environments.

Hannahston sits within southwest Scotland’s UNESCO-designated region, which includes parts of East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, and Dumfries & Galloway. Covering both terrestrial and marine environments, the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere measures 9,720km² and is the largest UNESCO Biosphere in the UK. Hannahston Nature Day was one of the first events in a busy spring/summer calendar for the GSAB Partnership who will be running educational workshops and outdoor activities right across the region, including Green Health events, wildlife recording sessions, and networkers for local businesses and social enterprise.

Elaine Stewart MP, who has represented Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock since 2024, has a special interest in Ayrshire’s former coalmining communities as the former Communities Manager with the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, and has spoken in parliament on critical local issues including health and wellbeing and economic growth. Ms Stewart said: “Hannahston Nature Day is a brilliant demonstration of how to build social connections and inspire community pride in where we live. The event is driven entirely by non-profit organisations and volunteers and exemplifies how the natural world can bring people together, through stewardship and through sheer joy at spending time outdoors. I am incredibly proud to be part of this and to be able to share the heritage of the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere with colleagues in the UK Parliament and elsewhere.”

Faith Hillier, the GSAB Partnership’s Community Officer, said: “We had a wonderful day at Hannahston Community Woodland alongside so many local partners, who are all working for communities and for nature and striving to create lasting connections between the two. With the last few weeks of very warm weather there was lots of life to see and we hope this has brought local people a bit closer to the nature that is most accessible from where they live. This is a wonderful location to visit through the seasons and we encourage everyone who attended Hannahston Nature Day – and those who couldn’t make it to the event – to keep exploring, there will always be something new to discover and we’d love to hear about what you find.”

David Balch, from the Friends of Hannahston Woods, said: “What a great day – what a hot day! It was great to see so many people exploring the woods, and at the stalls finding out about all sorts of bugs, birds, and beasties. We hope everyone will continue to visit and enjoy the woods, and feel inspired to take an active part in looking after and improving this beautiful place. Many thanks to everyone who pitched in to make it happen!”

Hannahston Community Woodland is owned by the Drongan, Rankinston & Stair Regeneration Group and the Friends of Hannahston Woods run a Volunteer Day on the second Saturday of each month, with an open invitation to come along and get involved. As well as helping care for one of the UNESCO Biosphere’s ecologically precious natural environments, it is an opportunity to learn about woodland management and maintenance. Visit the Friends’ public Facebook group to find out more.

More information about current projects and upcoming events hosted by the GSAB Partnership is available at www.gsabiosphere.org.uk or by email request to info@gsabiosphere.org.uk.

Images on this page courtesy of Coalfields Regeneration Trust/Tayler Ellison-Quinn and David Balch from the Friends of Hannahston Woods.