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With extreme weather events happening all the more frequently, and two named storms in the UK already this season, Loch Ken Trust are pleased to announce they have received funding from the National Lottery Community Fund for resilience work in the Glenkens.The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will see the Loch Ken Trust Ranger Service working with communities in the Glenkens on resilience planning.
The Climate Ready Glenkens Project will also involve a mock scenario test event, a resilience conference, extended ranger rural watch patrols in the communities, and building a store of shared community resilience resources. The Loch Ken Trust Ranger Service is one of the first community-led ranger service in Scotland and has been regularly patrolling Loch Ken since it’s launch in 2021, ensuring the loch and surrounding area is better cared for.
The increase in both frequency and severity of natural hazards in recent years has coincided with a steady reduction in resources and capacity to address these hazards. This situation hits remote rural communities especially hard, as they represent some of the smallest, hardest to reach communities anywhere in Scotland.
Loch Ken Trust recently worked on a research project with the National Centre for Resilience last year which the explored benefits of a community-based organisation supporting communities to develop their resilience plans. It also looked at effective ways for neighbouring communities to support each other.
Loch Ken Trust Head Ranger Leanne Pumpr said “ We are very excited to be able to continue our resilience work in the Glenkens and are looking forward to working with the communities. We would love members of the community to get involved and think about practical ways they can prepare for extreme weather events. We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way. Thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to support our communities to be prepared for the challenges to come”
Storm Bert recently caused significant disruption across the region with heavy rain, high winds and snow causing travel chaos and power outages. With these events predicted to happen more and more in the future, it is vital that our communities, especially in remote rural areas, have robust plans in place. LKT will begin the project in 2025 and if you would like to get involved please get in touch Office@lochken.org.uk
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