Published 26 March 2024
Members of the Clydebank community came together to plant more than 600 trees as part of a programme to create a new native woodland.
Part of the wider Clyde Climate Forest (CCF) initiative, West Dunbartonshire Council leader, Councillor Martin Rooney and Clydebank Central member, Councillor Clare Steel joined community groups and pupils from both Linnvale Primary School and Our Holy Redeemer Primary School.
The trees are located at the open spaces at the canal bank off West Street in Whitecrook and adjacent to Strauss Avenue, Linnvale.
West Dunbartonshire Council is part of the CCF initiative from Glasgow & Clyde Valley Green Network which aims to create an urban forest to tackle climate change.
It is also supported by Scottish Forestry, the Woodland Trust, Trees for Cities, Green Action Trust, the Conservation Volunteers and Glasgow City Region.
The programme will see 10 trees for every man, woman and child planted, increasing woodland cover across the region from 17% to 20% and is one of many initiatives the Council is taking part in to meet net zero aims.
Last year, Councillor Rooney signed the CCF Concordat document, making a range of commitments to improve the environment in areas vulnerable to climate impacts.
He said: “West Dunbartonshire is proud to be part of this important initiative.
“It was a pleasure to work alongside a range of people from throughout the community, planting trees which will bring huge benefits for our residents and the environment as well as encouraging biodiversity across the area for future generations.”
Councillor Steel, Convener of Education, added: “It is vitally important to get young people involved in these types of activities, promoting the benefits of preserving and developing our environment.
“Despite the weather, it was an incredible day. It will be so rewarding for the children from Linnvale Primary and Our Holy Redeemer Primary to see the trees as they grow over the coming years, making a real difference to both the appearance and sustainability of our communities.”
Also in attendance at the Whitecrook planting event was Ross Nimmo, Head of Place for Glasgow City Region.