An inspiring opportunity to visit three diverse urban woodlands in Scotland’s biggest city
Tuesday August 26th: visit Castlemilk Park, Malls Mire and The Children’s Wood
CWA warmly invite community woodland members from across Scotland to join us for a unique day of learning, sharing, and connection in Glasgow. This exchange visit offers the chance to explore three very different urban community woodlands, each with its own story, challenges, and achievements. Whether you're just starting your woodland journey or looking for new ideas, come along to meet others, hear how groups are making a difference in their communities, and reflect together in inspiring outdoor settings.
You’ll have the opportunity to:
Learn directly from the teams and volunteers behind each woodland
Explore different approaches to inclusion, education, habitat management, and community involvement
Share your own experience and engage in rich, supportive conversations with fellow woodland practitioners
Where are the three woodlands?
Castlemilk Park Local Nature Reserve, G45 0AZ
Malls Mire, Urban Roots, G42 0LA
The Children’s Wood, G20 8PR
Find out more below.
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10.00 - Meet at Castlemilk Park, where will explore their site for 90 mins before driving to Malls Mire (we are currently seeking transport for those without a car)
11.45 – Arrive at Malls Mire – where we can explore for 90 mins and then have a 30 min lunch. Leaving at 1.45pm
2.15 – Arrival at The Children’s Wood, where we will continue our exploration of their site, learning about their history and plans for their future woodland. Finishing circa 3.45pm. You must make your own way home from The Children’s Wood.
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Overview: Castlemilk Park LNR – South Glasgow
Castlemilk Park LNR is managed by Cassiltoun Trust, while Glasgow Council own the green space. This historic woodland estate has been transformed into a biodiverse, inclusive community resource. Home to mature trees, wildlife habitats, heritage features, and volunteer‑led conservation, the park showcases how community action can reclaim and reimagine urban woodland for public benefit.
What to Expect
Tour mature woodland, wildlife habitat zones, and conservation areas
Hear about volunteer-led engagement with diverse community groups
Explore heritage features and learn about ecological restoration
Learning Goals
Heritage-informed regeneration – see how historic estate features are integrated into modern ecology and access works
Volunteer engagement & social inclusion – learn approaches to involving refugees, families, and youth in stewardship
Creating safe, welcoming spaces through conversation – discuss how dialogue-driven activities root trust and reshape public perception.
Please note: Castlemilk Park LNR is accessible via train/ bus for those travelling without car
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Overview: Malls Mire Community Woodland – Toryglen, Glasgow
Glasgow’s first community woodland, set on a reclaimed golf course and forestry land. Now a Local Nature Reserve, Malls Mire is co‑managed by Urban Roots and local volunteers and includes woodlands, wetlands, meadows, and sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). It's a hub for biodiversity restoration, conservation volunteering, and wellbeing.
What to Expect
Walk through woodland, ponds, meadows, and coppicing zones
Meet conservation volunteers and educators
Discuss green infrastructure and urban habitat design
Learning Goals
Managing urban habitat & biodiversity – observe coppicing, wetland creation, invasive species control
Promoting wellbeing & inclusion – explore how nature supports mental health and community events
Collaborative problem-solving through dialogue – explore community‑led approaches to litter, anti‑social behaviour and site stewardship.
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Overview: The Children’s Wood – North Kelvin Meadow, Glasgow
A vibrant, community‑led greenspace in Glasgow’s West End, revitalised from derelict land to a flourishing urban meadow, woodland, and growing zone. The Children’s Wood offers forest‑school sessions, toddler groups, family events, and outdoor learning, all designed to boost wellbeing, nature connection, and social inclusion.
What to Expect
Guided tour of key areas: meadow, woodland, growing beds, and community spaces
Insights into programming for families and schools
Chance to meet volunteers and hear their stories
Learning Goals
Creative outdoor learning in urban settings – see how the site delivers forest‑school and school programmes in an inner‑city context
Community empowerment through stewardship – learn how local residents united to save and manage the space
Learning through conversation – reflect with peers on inclusive green spaces and nature‑based wellbeing.
Please note: those driving will need to pay for parking via Ringo App. There are no toilets at The Children’s Wood.
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Please bring your own lunch, refreshments and snacks for the day, as there will be no food provided on this exchange.
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There is no charge to attend this exchange visit, but you will need to cover the costs of travel to the event.
As a group member of CWA, you will have access to some funding through the Community Learning Exchange. CWA applies for funding on behalf of its members due to different limitations from our funders, the Community Learning Exchange. Once we know how many people will attend, we can establish the level of costs we can support.
All receipts must to be submitted to CWA before payment/ partial payment of expenses.
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Individual members are always welcome to our exchange visits! If you are seeking funding through the Community Learning Exchange, you would need to be able to provide evidence of how you will ensure the knowledge gleaned from this exchange would benefit your wider community, and not solely yourself.
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We have secured minibus transport for those requiring transport between sites.
For those taking their cars, you will need to pay for parking at The Children’s Wood via the Ringo App.
CWA Expectations
Other than enjoying yourself immensely, CWA asks that you complete an evaluation form after the event. As we seek funding for these events we must provide feedback about the event to our funders.
Should you have any questions about this event, please contact sharon@communitywoods.org.uk