A group of S3 pupils from Bearsden Academy rolled up their sleeves and got their hands dirty recently as part of a tree-planting project to improve local air quality.
The school grounds were identified as one of a handful of locations for additional tree planting made possible as a result of funding from the Scottish Government.
The Council’s Environmental Health department secured a £25,000 grant as part of Air Quality Control Funding. A programme to plant trees and create meadows along the Duntocher Road area is currently being carried out by Streetscene Technical Support with the funds.
Cllr Billy Hendry, Convener of the Place, Neighbourhood and Corporate Assets Committee, said, “Our beautiful green space is what makes East Dunbartonshire such a pleasant place to live and work.
“The new trees and shrubs will not only enhance the natural scenery but improve air quality in the area. Well done to the pupils who took part and contributed to improving their local environment.”
Duntocher Road, a transport corridor, had previously been identified as having high levels of particulate matter emitting from motorised vehicles. One method of air pollution control is to plant suitable trees and wildflowers as their leaves are effective in trapping this particulate matter.
The existing woodland areas within the grounds of Bearsden Academy grounds were identified as being suitable for additional tree planting. As part of their John Muir Trust award, 15 pupils were invited to work alongside the Countryside Ranger Service to plant 400 young trees known as “whips”. Species planted included Wild Cherry, Common Lime, Oak, Hazel and Field Maple.
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