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Loch Ken Trust – March 2026 Round-Up
March has been a busy and exciting month at Loch Ken Trust. The start of the new season has brought the return of visitors, the first Junior Ranger sessions, and lots of important behind-the-scenes work to keep Loch Ken safe, welcoming, and thriving for both people and wildlife.
A New Beginning for Junior Rangers
There’s something special about the start of a new season — and this March, we were proud to launch our very first Junior Ranger sessions for young people aged 10–18.
Our introductory session at the Crannog included:
Team-building games
Safe fire lighting
Navigation exercises
Rope skills and knot tying
Outdoor cooking with a sausage sizzle
Tidying brashings to prepare the courtyard for learning
It was fantastic to see young people engaging with nature, working together, and building confidence. The first session ended with everyone gathered around the fire, enjoying hot chocolate and sausages — a perfect introduction to what’s to come.
Later in the month, Junior Rangers explored map reading, indoor navigation challenges, and night wildlife observation using a night vision camera on Threave Nature Reserve – NTS.
Land Patrols & Ranger Activities
March has been a busy month for our rangers. Key highlights include:
Ed, Seasonal Ranger completing their first month, joining Head Ranger, Leanne on joint land patrols to learn the ropes and monitor the loch.
Visitor season preparations: the patrol boat has returned to the water, ready for safety and conservation work.
Bird nesting season: signs installed on the islands.
Regular land patrols and litter collection across Crossmichael, New Galloway, and the loch’s shores.
Community engagement, including chatting with anglers, walkers, and families about loch use, launches, and fishing regulations.
Reporting and monitoring of small incidents.
Rangers also participated in vital training sessions this month, including First Aid, Paddle UK Safety Refresher, and Cardiac Responder Training to ensure safety for everyone enjoying Loch Ken.
Supporting Wildlife & Conservation
Our Ranger Team and volunteers conducted surveys for Willow Tit around the loch. While none were spotted this month, every survey contributes to long-term conservation efforts alongside the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the National Trust for Scotland.
Caring for the Landscape
Volunteers and staff continued to help care for Loch Ken with:
Litter picks in Crossmichael and New Galloway, collecting several bags from streets and communal areas
Shoreline litter collection and recycling
Clearing brashings in the Crannog courtyard to maintain safe outdoor learning spaces
These efforts ensure the loch remains clean, safe, and welcoming for visitors and wildlife alike.
Community & Creativity
March also celebrated the creative side of our community with the Loch Ken Wall Art Exhibition. Residents came together to showcase artwork inspired by the landscape, fostering connection and wellbeing.
Signs of Spring
As winter fades, Loch Ken is awakening:
Longer days and more sunshine
Birdsong returning
First buds and new growth appearing
It’s the perfect time to get outdoors, explore, and reconnect with nature.
Looking Ahead
March has been a month of new beginnings, and this is just the start:
Junior Ranger programme continues to grow
Visitor engagement and seasonal patrols ramping up
Conservation projects and wildlife monitoring ongoing
We’d love to hear from you:
What outdoor skills or activities would you like to see our Junior Rangers try this year?
Your ideas will help shape future sessions and make the programme even more meaningful for young people.
Get Involved
If you’d like to be part of what’s happening at Loch Ken, keep an eye on upcoming sessions and events. Together, we’re creating a space for people to connect with nature, build confidence, and feel part of a community.
Loch Ken Trust Ranger Team
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