Six green-fingered trainees are working with East Dunbartonshire Council on a new, transformative initiative along the John Muir Way.
The Green Skills John Muir Way is a partnership project led by The Conservation Volunteers (TCV), designed to address biodiversity loss, unemployment, and social inequality along the iconic John Muir Way, which passes through East Dunbartonshire.
The initiative – delivered in partnership with TCV, with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund - is designed not only to enhance the environment but also provide the trainees with the skills and opportunities to thrive in the green economy.
Since starting in April, the trainees have been involved in a variety of work and training relating to wildlife and conservation management, urban greenspace management and access maintenance.
This has allowed for biodiversity improvements throughout different sites and locations within East Dunbartonshire, particularly The John Muir Way which serves as part of a nature network which contributes to other initiatives such as the B lines network.
Councillor Paul Ferretti, Convener of the Council’s Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets Committee, said, “By creating waged 10-month traineeships focused on hands-on nature restoration, the project will help deliver impactful environmental, social, and economic change.
The project will enhance green skills across a younger generation in East Dunbartonshire. In total, 18 trainees over three years will benefit from practical, accredited training and career progression opportunities, ensuring long-term benefits for them and for the environment.
The work the trainees have been doing also links to the East Dunbartonshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan. They have identified invasive non-native species as a major issue within several ecosystems such as woodland and freshwater and have worked to remove rhododendron and Himalayan balsam throughout East Dunbartonshire.
Other work the trainees have been involved in include:
- A monthly survey of wetland bird species for The British Trust of Ornithology
- Site surveys across the John Muir Way to take note of all flora and fauna and identify damage to the site and how people are using it
- Woodland management tasks such as woodland thinning alongside the John Muir Way path network
- A litter pick for The Great British Beach Clean Week
- Planting over 1000 wildflower plug plants.
There has also been plenty of work carried out not dedicated directly to increasing biodiversity such as carpentry, access maintenance works such as path clearance, amenity grassland management and drainage.
Daniel McEwan, Green Skills Leader at The Conservation Trust, said, "TCV are delighted to be a part of this new project, dedicated to enriching local biodiversity and greenspaces along this iconic Scottish trail whilst also helping passionate trainees gain vital green skills to help bridge the regional skills gap and drive a more sustainable future.
“Thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and East Dunbartonshire Council for their fantastic support.”
