Members of the local community and the Craigmillar Initiative have played a large part in the development and implementation of the wider Edinburgh Urban Forest Strategy (project 2/009). The impressive amount of support and involvement from local residents has resulted in the creation of 45ha of new native community woodlands and woodland corridors, which have been planted on 20 sites at Craigmillar. In 1997, the “Plantathon” saw 2000 volunteers plant 40,000 trees over a weekend in an attempt to break the World-record for tree-planting! The extensive planting of wildflower bulbs has enhanced the variety of the woodlands. The new woodlands and the linking corridors provide attractive access routes for both wildlife and people. In effect the countryside has been brought into the heart of this community, and with it a sense of community ownership, appreciation and responsibility.

(Click map to enlarge)