It started with a Walk and Talk – Mohammed’s story

Mohammed’s story begins in Palestine, shaped by a deep love of nature and biodiversity. 

The story of Hamiltonhill Claypits – a thriving local nature reserve which was once a derelict space – begins in Glasgow. 

Very recently, those two stories came together. Through a single community Walk and Talk event and the start of a new connection. 

A new start 

Sometimes, life takes us far from where we expected to be. But the experiences we carry can still help us build belonging. It can also help us share knowledge and find community in new places. 

That’s what happened for Mohammed. 

Born in Palestine, Mohammed has worked on many environmental and climate projects. But after completing a master’s degree in Biodiversity at Sussex University, he couldn’t return home due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. 

After seeking asylum in the UK and a long year of uncertainty, he was granted the right to stay. He began rebuilding his life in Glasgow. 

Then not long ago, an invitation from a friend brought him to Hamiltonhill Claypits.

A place transformed 

Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve has not always been green and welcoming. 

It was once a derelict area, used for fly-tipping and associated with gangs and drug use. Many local people felt unsafe walking through it, meaning communities on either side of the reserve and canal had to take long routes around just to reach everyday services, such as a GP surgery. 

But today, the Claypits tells a different story. It’s now a flourishing nature reserve in the heart of the city. Claypits is home to rich biodiversity and around 50 volunteers care for it. It offers a space where people can walk, meet, breathe and reconnect. It also brings real health and wellbeing benefits to an area of Glasgow facing deprivation and inequality. 

This work is supported by the Climate Action Fund, which supports communities across the UK to act on climate change and involve more people in environmental action.   

CAF funding has helped Hamiltonhill Claypits grow beyond relying only on volunteer goodwill. It’s supported Nature Neighbourhoods to give ongoing support. It’s also allowed them to hire a full-time staff member and create a regular programme of community events and talks. This helps people feel included, supported and connected. 

When Mohammed visited the Claypits 

For Mohammed, being outdoors offers something more than fresh air. Like many people who have experienced upheaval, he understands how nature can calm stress and uncertainty. 

Living in Glasgow, Mohammed has also carried the emotional strain of knowing his family are in an active war zone. 

After befriending one of the volunteers whilst walking in the Claypits, he was invited to lead a Walk and Talk, seeing it as an opportunity to share his knowledge on biodiversity.  He also used it to show the connections between two landscapes that seem far apart: Wadi Gaza and Hamiltonhill Claypits.  

For those who attended, Mohammed offered a fresh perspective. He also reminded everyone that nature can connect us across borders, backgrounds and experiences. 

This was just one event, but it felt like the start of something. 

Get started

With support from CAF, projects like Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve show what can happen when communities lead the way. They create places where people can come together, share knowledge and connect with nature. 

We support environmental projects of all shapes and sizes. We offer grants from £300 up to £20,000 through our open Awards for All programme to grants over £500,000 through our Climate Action Fund. 

Find out more about environment funding in your area and apply