TCV
Connecting people and green spaces
Grassland Management at Pilrig Park
An activity with Biodiversity Action Team
Activity date: Wednesday 16th July 2025
Start time: 10:15
Finish time: 12:15
Activity description
Who We Are We’re The Conservation Volunteers (TCV)—a UK-wide charity that connects people with green spaces to create healthier, happier communities. In Edinburgh, we run the Edinburgh Biodiversity Action Team (EBAT), a local volunteer group taking practical action to protect and enhance nature across the city. From planting wildflowers to restoring habitats, we’re working together to make Edinburgh greener, wilder, and more resilient. What We’re Doing – and Why It Matters Pilrig Park is a well-loved urban greenspace in the heart of Leith, and a key site within the Edinburgh Nature Network—a city-wide initiative to connect and enhance green spaces for people and wildlife. As part of the Urban Biodiversity Strategy, we’re working to improve the park’s ecological value by restoring its grassland habitats and supporting pollinators. Urban grasslands like those in Pilrig Park are vital for biodiversity, yet they’re often overlooked. Across the UK, 97% of wildflower meadows have been lost, and over half of pollinator species are in decline. By managing these spaces more sensitively, we can create vibrant, flower-rich habitats that support butterflies, bees, birds, and other wildlife—while also making the park more beautiful and resilient to climate change. Pollinators are in crisis. Across the UK: 🐝 Over 50% of bee, butterfly, and hoverfly species have declined in the last 50 years. 🦋 Two-thirds of common butterfly species in Scotland have shown long-term declines. 🌼 97% of wildflower meadows have been lost since the 1930s, removing vital food sources for pollinators. How Volunteers Help Volunteers will take part in a range of practical conservation tasks, including: Scything and removing dominant vegetation to allow wildflowers to thrive Creating small scrapes to encourage seed germination and butterfly basking Gathering and spreading native wildflower seed Managing informal paths and clearing litter Taking part in wildflower and butterfly surveys to support long-term monitoring No experience is needed—just enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved. All tools, training, and guidance are provided. What You’ll Get in Return Learn practical conservation skills Help protect pollinators and restore biodiversity Enjoy time outdoors in a vibrant community park Meet like-minded people and be part of a friendly team Contribute to real ecological monitoring and citizen science Make a meaningful difference for nature in your city
Meeting place
Edinburgh Office: 09 West Gorgie Parks, EH14 1UT Pilrig Park: What 3 word reference: ///home.sting.themes
what3words meeting point: ///home.sting.themes
Activity location
Pilrig Park, Pilrig Park Pilrig St Edinburgh, EH6 5DW
Site description
This parkland setting provides space for locals to walk and play, and exercise their dogs. Pilrig Park has hard paths, two safe play areas at opposite ends, and also a football pitch.
The park was once part of the grounds of Pilrig House, which was built in 1638. It came into city ownership in 1920
Living Landscape: Floral meadows (annuals and perennials)
Contact
Josef William Williams
Telephone: 07483050773
Email: josef.williams@tcv.org.uk
Website: https://www.tcv.org.uk/scotland/
Please bring
- packed lunch
- suitable outdoor clothes
- suitable outdoor footwear
Further info
To register as a volunteer please email josef.williams@tcv.org.uk If you have any questions of queries about the days activities and suitability please don't hesitate to reach out, where practicable we aim to make all of our activities accessible to all.
Site Facilities
- Picnic Area
- Nearest Toilets - The Bonnigton (Pub)
