We are going to plant three shelter belts on our croft of native trees/ shrubs specifically downy birch, common alder, green willow, elder, goat willow and gorse. This will;

 

- increase diversity

- provide wildlife habitat

- provide shelter for the sheep

- help with water management

- reduce soil erosion at the coastline

 

There is a distinct lack of trees in our area and increasing tree coverage will substantially help our smaller birds such as starling, dunnock, sparrow and rarer reed birds and tits. The understory of ungrazed grass will then provide habitat for insects of all kinds, small mammals and amphibians. The ungrazed grass then provides a seed bank to spread fresh seeds onto the croft to help grass regeneration.

 

We intend to pair the shelter belts with rotational grazing to try and build up soil depth and quality and increase yield.

 

I looked into grant funding and struggled to either find anything I was applicable for or that didn't require the funds upfront with reimbursement months later. Instead I decided to make this a community project involving my wonderful online community on facebook and instagram. Buying a 'tree' for the croft which would cover the tree, guard, mulch mats and labour to plant it. I thought it would be nice to have a list of everyone who has contributed to this wonderful worldwide community endeavor! 

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Donations:

Rachel Newlin 

Hazel Barratt

Gillian Whyte

Emma Keeble

Preston Williams

Janet Fik - for her great-grandchild due in July!

Julia Fox

Lynda Sharples

Mary Lou Stillwell

Dustie Loveland

A M

Linda LaCroix

Moira Oliver

Laura Tawney

Cheryl Callahan

Lorrie Carse-Wilson

Maryellen Duthie

Vanessa Clark 

Fiona Mackenzie

Audrey Docherty

Cathy Travis

Sharon Hefferman - in memory of her dad who loved holidays on Harris and Lewis

Kate Little

Jenny McKay

Cheryll Hawksley

Amanda Hamilton

Suzanne Morrison - in memory of Malcolms dad who was from Stornoway

Elaine Eadie

Karen Bowler

George Egerton

Deborah Wright

Teri Comans

Beth Timmons

Carlene Paquette - in memory of her cousin

Jill Lawrence

Mary-Anne Tillet

Suzanne Rothlisberger

Donald Burton

Sheridan Adams

Rae Ensor

Sue Bower

Chris Davis

Kat Barnwell

Rosemary Graham

Margit Lehrach

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