Volunteers have been out planting thousands of trees as part of a new green initiative to boost a woodland area through Lanarkshire.
Thanks to sponsorship from Edinburgh-based water retailer Business Stream, the project will see 10,000 trees installed within a 15-hectare site from Linn Park, through Castlemilk and at Cathkin Braes Country Park.
The firm has partnered with not-for-profit organisation Green Action Trust to support the new woodland and organised a volunteering day last week where 30 members of staff planted 2000 trees.
The new planting will help to create an integrated woodland habitat that stretches around the southern edge of Glasgow and will be accessible by residents of Lanarkshire communities such as nearby towns Rutherglen and East Kilbride, as well as visitors from further afield.
One of the main aims of the project is to create a fairer, greener and healthier environment for locals.
Jo Dow, chief executive of Business Stream, told Lanarkshire Live : “We are delighted to be sponsoring this initiative.
"As a responsible business, we are committed to playing our part to reduce our environmental impact.
"Our primary focus is on reducing our emissions but we also recognise the benefits tree planting programmes, such as this one, can play in not only locking away carbon emissions but also in providing green spaces for local communities.
"We had a great time on Wednesday (November 17) planting some of the trees and it was good to know that our contribution will help to make a positive difference for many years to come”.
Douglas Worrall, director of service delivery for Green Action Trust, added: “We are delighted that Business Stream are sponsoring the woodland creation work at Cart and Kittoch.
"This project will help to expand the woodland habitat in the area and play a role in mitigating carbon emissions so it’s fantastic to have Business Stream’s support”.
The site will also be home to the Glasgow Children’s Woodland, a community led initiative run by the Lost Woods project that has enabled children from 148 of Glasgow’s 151 Primary Schools to plant trees within the area.
Green Action Trust will help manage the project which aligns with the current Forestry and Woodland Strategy for Glasgow City Region 2020 that sets out a positive woodland expansion vision for the next 10 years and will also be an early contribution to the delivery of the Clyde Climate Forest.
