Peel Ports present inaugural Group Marine Environmental Award for floating wetlands

On the 5^th March The Peel Ports Group Marine Environmental Award was presented to Glasgow Science Centre, The University of Glasgow and the Clyde Marine Planning Partnership for their floating wetland project installed at Prince’s Dock in Clydeport.

The Award was presented on behalf of Peel Ports by Lisa Reilly (AGHM (Environment)) and recognises extraordinary efforts to protect and enhance the marine environments across our marine jurisdictional areas.  

The 2023 Award was presented to the stakeholders involved in the floating wetland project which focused on innovative solutions to enhance and restore biodiversity in a disused dock area.  Three floating wetlands were installed in March 2023 containing over 2000 native plants and trees, last summer kingfishers, otters, and swans were some of the species that had begun to make their islands their new home. 

Caroline Baxter, Marine Compliance Officer at Clydeport said “This is such an innovative way to add an interesting feature to an otherwise quiet corner of Prince’s Dock.  Using plants native to the area will give the floating islands the best chance and we look forward to seeing how they develop and encourage other species to establish.  A great project for the Clyde!"

This inspirational project is a fantastic example of sustainable project delivery which benefits the environment, society and local economy along the Clyde.  The islands offer visitors an opportunity to engage with nature, promoting wellbeing and also serving as an educational tool for the next generation of scientists.  

Receiving the Award on behalf of Glasgow Science Centre, Jenny Galbraith (Exhibition & Project Manager) said ‘Glasgow Science Centre is delighted to have the Floating Wetlands project selected as the recipient of the first Peel Ports Group Marine Environmental Award. This is fantastic recognition for a partnership project that we are all very proud of and that continues to be an exemplar for other sites that are committed to greening our urban landscapes. 

Securing the funding from SMEEF & Nature Scot allowed us to continue to enhance our outdoor spaces, taking the science engagement on offer inside Glasgow Science Centre outdoors, engaging the wider community with workshops throughout the development of the project and improving biodiversity, and visual amenity in this historically industrial area of Glasgow.’