Tenders invited for new interpretation for Cumbernauld greenspaces

  As part of Cumbernauld Living Landscape’s aim to help people to get the most out of the wonderful green spaces on our doorstep, we are planning to install some new interpretation. This is what we want the interpretation to achieve: The interpretation gives people the knowledge and confidence to explore Cumbernauld, including Wildlife Trust reserves, Council-owned sites, and a

Tackling the invaders

What do buddleia, rhododendron, stoats, grey squirrels and snowberry have in common? They are all beautiful and fascinating species of animals and plants that can wreak havoc on other local wildlife if they turn up in the wrong place. Then they’re called invasive non-native species (INNS), and they’re just a few of the 3000 or so that we now have

Evolution works in mysterious ways!

If Creationists wanted to cite an animal that seems to defy the theories of evolution, they should look no further than the common cranefly, Tipula paludosa. Every year as summer fades a rag-tag invasion of daddy-longlegs stumbles into homes all over the country, crashing into lampshades, dangling helplessly from undusted cobwebs, and wilfully drowning themselves in washing-up bowls and tea cups.

Brilliant Bogs!

By Sue Walker, Living Landscapes Communications Officer Bogs have an image problem. Since the time when land started to be valued purely by how much food or money it could provide for people they’ve used phrases like ‘bogging’, ‘on the bog’ and ‘bogged down’ to mean worthless, unpleasant, holding you back. You can’t grow crops, or graze animals safely, or

Goodbye and Hello

Every traineeship must come to an end and the time has come for Creating Natural Connections Trainee, Katie to hand in her metaphorical badge and say goodbye. But this is not the end of her time with Cumbernauld Living Landscape. In fact it is just the beginning. Say hello to Senior Project Officer Katie Brown: For those of you who

We’re recruiting!

  We are looking for a new Cumbernauld Living Landscape Trainee. If you’re keen to get into nature conservation work, love working with people of all ages, and want to develop your skills and knowledge in the field this may be the job for you. This role will be focussed on the goals of the ‘Creating Natural Connections’ Project; improving

To Bread or not to Bread: A Guide to Feeding Your Local Swans

St Maurice’s Pond is an excellent spot to see new life this summer. Lots of different birds are currently raising their young; mallards, tufted ducks, swans, coots, moorhens and many more. Feeding and watching waterfowl is a good wellbeing activity and is known to help with anxiety and depression. But how can we ensure we are feeding them the right

A yellow flood

Remember at the end of the winter, when the rain pelted down and we would find new puddles and pools had appeared overnight in the flooded fields and greenspaces around the town? Well now it is summer new pools have appeared – but instead of murky brown, this is a flood of brightest yellow. They are pools of meadow buttercups

Farewell Cumbernauld Living Landscape

I   Sadly I have come to the end of my role with Cumbernauld Living Landscape.  I have been running the volunteering and community engagement side of our project for a number of years now.  It has been incredibly rewarding to share my enthusiasm for nature with the communities of Cumbernauld. I would especially like to extend my thanks to

It mast be a good year for willow

Willow catkins at seed. c. Tracy Lambert/Cumbernauld Living Landscape. I must admit it has been a bit weird seeing snow in June in Cumbernauld.  Bet that got your attention! In essence that has been what the ground has looked like this summer, all covered with willow seeds.  The edges of the grass paths have looked as if they have been