Category: Projects

Cumbernauld Living Landscape transforms desk jockeys into Nature Ninjas

, by Cumbernauld LL
Natura Ninja - Louise Smith with Fitbit tracker Nature Ninjas taking part in conservation work in Cumbernauld burn nearly double the number of active calories compared to a day spent at an office desk. The Cumbernauld Living Landscape Nature Ninjas volunteer on the first Sunday of every month to help improve three green spaces in Cumbernauld, St Maurice’s Pond, Ravenswood Local Nature Reserve and Cumbernauld Glen Wildlife Reserve. These volunteers are wearing activity trackers on their wrists to record the amount of steps taken and calories used during work on nature reserves and at public events. Data from the devices revealed that they burn around 1,500 calories and walk an average distance of ten kilometres (six miles) during conservation work, roughly double the amount of active calories used in a normal day at the office. 

Natural Connections – A path to kingfishers

, by Cumbernauld LL
Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis I saw my first kingfisher last week! Paul and I were on a Path Grading course at Oatridge College run by Paths for All.  While we were learning how to measure and describe paths our instructor stopped dead in his tracks and whispered that there was a kingfisher on the wee bridge to our left. I could hardly contain my excitement. I felt like a teenager again desperate to see this amazing bird, that I had heard looked like a blue jewel shimmering in the sun.

Natural Connections – Get involved in Beautiful Cumbernauld

, by Cumbernauld LL
Enjoying the wonder of a wildflower meadow Louise and I were delighted to represent Cumbernauld at the Keep Scotland Beautiful Awards held in Aberdeen last week. This is an annual award for towns and communities to recognise the work that groups and volunteers do to improve their spaces and they are an inspiring bunch.  Thanks and well done to everyone who helped with this year’s entry. Cumbernauld won silver for the third year but after getting some tips and trade secrets from the judges I know that with a bit more work and more people involved we can win gold next year.

Natural Connections – Small coppers seen in Cumbernauld

, by Cumbernauld LL
Small coppers? - Police Scotland Youth Volunteers and local volunteers  Normally when we are talking about small coppers we mean butterflies, this time we mean business. During the summer our regular volunteers fall away due to family commitments, holidays and a chance to get out and enjoy the brief glimpses of sunshine we get here in Scotland.  However, this summer we have had a boost in numbers thanks to the lads and lassies of the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers. These volunteers are local teenagers who are taking part in a two year programme with Police Scotland to build up work experience, boost their confidence and become responsible members of our community.

Natural Connections – Celebrating Local Wildlife Sites

, by Cumbernauld LL
The beautiful oak and bluebell wood of Cumbernauld Glen Wildlife Reserve In the conservation world we have specific designations for sites which are important for wildlife.  From Sites of Interest for Nature Conservation to Special Protection Areas they all have one thing in common.  They create corridors and pockets of habitats for wildlife to live freely.  Here in Cumbernauld we have many sites with designations, but one that most of you will know are the fantastic local wildlife sites or local nature reserves.

Natural Connections – Wild ways to Wellbeing

, by Cumbernauld LL
Once upon a time having a mental health problem was a taboo subject, something not mentioned in polite conversation, an issue that many sufferers tried to keep a secret even from their loved ones.  The times, however, are changing. The success of programmes such as the Scottish Government’s “See Me” campaign to end mental health stigma means that mental health issues should no longer be hidden away. Government statistics show that 1 in 4 people will suffer a mental health ‘event’ at some point in their lives.  For many people this will be a fleeting event but for others it will have a profound effect on their lives. 

Natural Connections – It's about education naturally!

, by Cumbernauld LL
Enjoying the outdoors For some the thought of returning to high school is great, the holidays have been a bit too long the weather not so good and it will be great to see their pals again, but others hate it.  They don’t know how to relate to their peers, they may not be responsive to current methods of teaching or don’t do well in exams.  The pressure builds until they decide to just stay out of school and not bother with an education. The Cumbernauld Living Landscape has identified a possible solution to this and over the past year piloted the highly successful Natural Connections to 2 high schools in the town.  We are about to deliver the next phase of workshops to the remaining high schools Cumbernauld Academy and Our Lady’s from September.  A very exciting time and I can’t wait to get started!

Natural Connections – Wildlife Watch fun

, by Cumbernauld LL
Wildlife Watch leader Sharon helping the kids with identification Not long now until the kids are back at school and while some of you may think yeah! Other may still be looking for activities for them to do in these last few weeks.  Look no more, the Cumbernauld Living Landscape intern has teamed up with two potential new Wildlife Watch leaders for the area and they are delivering pop up Watch days for the kids.

Natural Connections – From a student's point of view

, by Cumbernauld LL
Emma First on the left My name is Emma Louise McGurk and I am from St. Maurice’s High school in Cumbernauld. I have been involved with Natural Connections since September 2015, we were introduced to Tracy and Liz early on in September and they gave us an idea of what the project was about and what we were going to be doing with them. The following fortnight we took a site visit and we did a risk assessment on the area, this helped us get to know our site better and sum up what we needed to improve in the area of St. Maurice’s Pond. From then on every fortnight we would set out to try and improve our site we carried out activities like litter picking and weed whacking, from the litter picking we managed to get 5 whole bags full with litter and since then the area has very little litter there (we hope for it to stay that way).

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