A five-year wildlife restoration project that will see thousands of trees planted and tens of thousands of wildflowers sown across Cumbernauld has been given the green light, with almost £3 million of funding announced.
Nurturing Natural Connections will be delivered through the Cumbernauld Living Landscape initiative, a partnership led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, and builds upon the success of the programme’s previous project, Creating Natural Connections.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has now confirmed £2.6 million support for the project.
Local volunteers will be at the heart of Nurturing Natural Connections, giving the Cumbernauld community a key role in helping protect and restore the town’s urban greenspaces. Planned works include managing over 330 hectares of woodland, enhancing over 20 hectares of wildflower meadows and removing invasive non-native species and garden escapees that threaten Cumbernauld’s native wildlife.
The project will also champion the health benefits of nature, such as through trauma-informed practice, which demonstrates how nature can aid recovery and support mental and physical wellbeing.
Tracy Lambert, Cumbernauld Living Landscape Project Manager, Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: “From the bluebell displays of Cumbernauld Glen to the river woodlands of Luggiebank, Cumbernauld is home to so much incredible wildlife. Sadly however, much of it is in poor condition and needs a helping hand. For over ten years, we’ve proudly worked alongside local communities to restore the town’s green spaces, and we’re excited to begin our next chapter with Nurturing Natural Connections.”
As well as delivering practical conservation work, the project also aims to upskill local people through advanced skill training and the delivery of citizen science projects that will support the council’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan. It will also create six full-time jobs, and a further six trainee opportunities over the life of the project.
The work will support the town’s infrastructure by advocating for green infrastructure in Community Growth Areas and in the planned redevelopment of the town centre. It will also deliver nature-based solutions to tackle issues around flooding, drought and wildfires.
Tracy added: “We’ve seen the devastation caused by the nature and climate crises first-hand here in Cumbernauld, particularly with the recent storms and wildfires. However, we’ve also seen how powerful nature can be in helping us recover. By implementing nature-based solutions to some of today’s biggest challenges, we can build a town that thrives in tandem with the natural environment.”
Councillor Helen Loughran, Convener of our Environment and Climate Change Committee, said: “This is an exciting project for Cumbernauld and North Lanarkshire, and we are delighted the National Lottery Heritage Funding will enable us to build on the excellent work done through the Cumbernauld Living Landscapes Partnership.
"Some of the work we’ll be carrying out with our partners involves planting 2,000 new trees, improving access at Westfield & Cumbernauld Community Park, enhancing grasslands and managing woodland at Abronhill and Palacerigg Country Park. As a result, we’ll see improvements to local biodiversity, habitats for wildlife and sustainable development of woodland.”
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “This is a game changing project for Cumbernauld. With nearly £3 million funding thanks to National Lottery players, the Nurturing Natural Connections project is set to transform the town’s vital green spaces and places — connecting the community to nature and natural heritage on the doorstep. Led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, this powerful partnership is restoring wildlife, planting thousands of trees and wildflowers, and unlocking the health and wellbeing benefits of nature for the whole community. It’s about creating a thriving, greener Cumbernauld — now and for generations to come.”
Nurturing Natural Connections is a partnership between the Scottish Wildlife Trust, North Lanarkshire Council, The Conservation Volunteers and Sanctuary Scotland. The £2.62 million funding follows successful delivery of a comprehensive development programme which included £181,200 Heritage Fund support thanks to National Lottery players. Delivery will begin this month and is due for completion in June 2030.