Category: Education and community

Natural Connections – A connection with nature

, by Cumbernauld LL
We had a cook out last week for the last Natural Connections workshop for the term with the students of St Maurice’s High School.  The lads instantly took up the primal challenge of cooking outdoors (man vs fire – safely and responsibly!) to supply the other students with amazing bacon butties.  We were surrounded by a sea of smiles as the students, in the pouring rain with a cup of tea in one hand and butties in the other got stuck in. 

The future of sustainability – Abronhill Primary School pupils win top award

, by Cumbernauld LL
Abronhill Primary School and Nursery Class have been commended for their environmental action by winning a national award. The schools nature garden and tree planting programme have helped improve Cumbernauld’s environment. Children have been busy working to enhance their playground, as well as a nearby Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve. Pupils spent hours weeding and planting bulbs and new trees.

Natural Connections – Thanks to backroom team

, by Cumbernauld LL
Cumbernauld's finest with #VampireSquirrel - Looks like Sandy may have bitten more than he could chew! The beautiful Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Cumbernauld Glen, was the showcase for our first ever Halloween night nearly three weeks ago now. Seeing how much effort it took to plan, organise and deliver got me thinking about all the work in the background that also helped it become such a success.  Little is thought about the background works, they fade into comparison of the fun had but without them, quite simply, the event would not have been able to take place.

Natural Connections – Progress update

, by Cumbernauld LL
Over the past few months the Natural Connections project has been working with 4th year high school students to raise their awareness and understanding of their Natural Heritage. Through practical sessions it is building their confidence and will give them transferable skills for future employment. This year 45 students from two local high schools, St Maurice’s and Greenfaulds, are participating. Next year a further two schools will will take part.

Natural Connections – Autumn as a time of change

, by Cumbernauld LL
Autumn is my favourite season and I can say that with some confidence after the summer we had! With autumn now in full swing it is a time of many changes as wildlife and people alike are getting ready for the coming winter. It is, for me too, a time of great change as I start my new job as Cumbernauld Community Engagement Assistant.

Recruiting now!

, by Cumbernauld LL
In the past two years we have successfully partnered with the Conservation Volunteers to provide a paid training opportunity for someone that is passionate about wildlife and peoples wellbeing. So far we have a 100% record (2 out of 2!) of trainees going onto full time employment in the conservation/environmental sector. This is a great opportunity to gain experience and skills in two of Scotland’s leaning conservation charities. To apply go to the The Conservation Volunteers website or contact the Project Development Manager Ian Mackenzie if you have more questions.

Natural Connections – What does nature do for me?

, by Cumbernauld LL
Considering how urban Cumbernauld is amazingly 50% of our town is green and probably just as well taking into account the volume of pollution from the vast number of vehicles on the M80 motorway. This is where our environment comes in or rather its Ecosystem services; these are services which are delivered unseen by our environment i.e. trees and fungi help to clean the air we breathe, look out for black splodges about the size of a 5p piece on the leaves of a sycamore tree.  These splodges are fungi which exchange polluted air for clean air. There are also multiple health benefits; we can reduce our blood pressure, muscle tension, stress and depression just by going out for regular walks in our local greenspaces.

Natural Connections – Volunteer day at Ravenswood LNR

, by Cumbernauld LL
Ravenswood Local Nature Reserve is a cracking we jewel in Cumbernauld.  Over the past couple of weeks I have been taking organisations out on site visits to see how we can raise the awareness of the community and encourage them to use the spot. I have had many comments from the people in these organisations, remarking how wonderful a place it is and rightly so, Ravenswood LNR is a fabulous mosaic of habitats with a great range of wildlife.  It does have a problem though – Invasive Non-Native Species!

Categories

Tags

Engaging comunities, Public opinion, Wildlife Watch Group, Weekend Volunteering, Yew, Chirstmas, Comments, Disqus, Make it count, Plastics, Frost, Beautiful, Green Routes, SUSTRANS, CSGNt, Memories, Play, National Toast Day, Tracks, International Year of the Forest, Wildlife gardening, Forestwood, Flowers, Cowslips, Black birds, Swift, Witch, Wizard, Magic, Inspiring