Survey in the dappled sun – delightful despite me, my field books, my clipboard, bag and bike getting covered in sticky aphid poo!
Amidst finshing my final few survey sites – which were a real pleasure.. and quite relaxing in the early June warmth, I have been either eyes glued to a microscope or eyes wide open sharing the wonderous world of lichens with my fellow trainees and members of the public.
But getting the message across to a very broad audience about lichens and their incredible role within our ecosystems as well as being visible indicators of air quality is a somewhat challenging task. Especially so when so many people have never even heard of a lichen before or knowingly spotted one, even though they possibly walk past or on several dozen of them (at least!) every single day!
Fellow Natural Communities trainee getting to grips with some literally down-trodden lichens! ©C.Cumming
…the chewing gum lichen – Lecanora muralis. Frequently dismissed and stepped on as it likes to grow on concrete and paving slabs! ©lichens.lastdragon.org
Scruffy looking bark – Warning, may contain lichens! ©dailyherald.com
For most people the concept that the scruffy looking bark on a tree is often actually made up of a covering of living organisms is an alien concept – let alone the idea that it’s not just one living organism but two in one..living in a mutally benefical relationship!
And this idea of a relationship, which involves a sharing of abilities is one I am keen to develop. We have all seen and or experienced that when we share our abilities we are more successful in whatever our endeavours are. The planet, our ecosystems, our society is full of relationships, where sharing abilities is an essential part of healthy sustainable living.
– The fungal part of a lichen provides a protective body, while the algae provides food, meaning together lichens can colonise and grow on every continent on earth – even in the harshest conditions.
– When we breath we take in oxygen, which is produced by lichens and other plants and when we breath out we release carbon dioxide which lichens and other plants then take in, before releasing more oxygen.
– We remove fossil fuels from the planet, and through burning them release various chemicals causing air pollution, lichens can highlight to us where this pollution is, and indicate the health of our local environments. Lichens help us, and we can help protect lichens and ourselves by reducing air pollution.
Engaging the public with lichens, air pollution and active travel ©Sustrans Scotland
Lichens as indicators of local air quality ©Sustrans Scotland
Taking a closer look at some life-giving lichens ©Sustrans Scotland
My exploration of lichens and air quality has led me to team up and share abilities with Sustrans Scotland, which works ‘to enable people in Scotland to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of their everyday journeys.’ This mutally benefical partnership has led to me sharing a stall at a number of fantastic public events in Edinburgh – including The Meadows Festival and The Edinburgh Canal Festival. Giving the public a chance to find out about lichens, and link up lichens, air pollution and Active Travel. The stage is also set for further joint events/activities in the near future, so Watch This Space!
Throughout the last few months, the Natural Networks and Natural Talent trainees have also been sharing their recently acquired abilities with each other through visiting each others placements. This month, I had the honour of welcoming my fellow trainees to the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh (RBGE), to discover and explore lichens and the work of the RBGE.
Checking out the local lichen flora at The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh ©C.Cumming
Staff at The Conservation Volunteers team have also been sharing and passing their abilities to us trainees, through some fantastic workshops in Fundraising and Project Management – essential skills for conservation and community engagement work!