An environment project to improve and create natural habitat in a Lanarkshire town is helping to bring back native species for welcome appearances in the central belt.
Both Pine Martens and Red Kites have been spotted around Cumbernauld Living Landscape, which combines nine nature reserves across the town and aims to increase the area’s biodiversity.
The initiative has been praised for its work in improving more than 2.6 million square metres of natural habitat and helping to support the threatened wildlife, just 12 miles away from the city of Glasgow.
Living Landscape group members have had their efforts showcased by the Scottish Land Commission, who have called it a “community success story” as they highlight the benefits which “positive land transformation can play in everyday life in Scotland”.
Project manager Jennifer McNulty told Lanarkshire Live : “The team and I could not be happier with the results of the restoration project so far; it’s great that the people who live in and visit Cumbernauld have native Scottish wildlife on their doorstep.
“We’re helping to turn Cumbernauld into a green network for wildlife, and a place where species can move around the town and beyond using the green corridors of woodland, wetlands and grasslands the project is developing.”
The Living Landscape project involves the Scottish Wildlife Trust, North Lanarkshire Council, Sanctuary Scotland, the James Hutton Institute, the Conservation Volunteers and Friends of Cumbernauld community park, and is supported by the National Lottery heritage fund.
It consists of more than 30 different projects, ranging from the creation of pine marten dens at Palacerigg to cultivating new wildflower and agricultural meadows, the latter sown with oats and seed and described as the town’s “biggest bird feeder”.
Public consultation was carried out to get the local community involved from the outset, and volunteers have signed up to become “nature ninjas” and have learned skills to help maintain the new habitats.
Scottish Land Commission officials say that the returning species emphasises the “importance of healthy urban greenspaces” and add: “With pine martens come more wildlife.
“Their existence could naturally reduce the population of grey squirrels, which can damage native trees and reduce woodland bird numbers, and even possibly pave the way for the endangered red squirrel to grow in numbers.”
Chief executive Hamish Trench said: “Cumbernauld Living Landscape is an excellent example of how bringing the community together to take an active role in how the land is used can transform an area, in a sustainable, self-sufficient way.
“It’s great to see how the project continues to provide a positive impact in the Cumbernauld area.
“Through sharing stories of communities taking an interest in land across the country, our MyLand.Scot campaign aims to inspire people to take a look at the land around them and stir an interest to take action; we want to encourage people to get involved in conversations about land and take action in their local area.”