https://ballochparkregen.co.uk/

Immerse Balloch Castle Country Park's one million annual local & international visitors in nature recovery by putting Riverwoods action & education at the heart of this unique Park's critical restoration. Harness the local community's love of the Park to help achieve healthy, vibrant riparian woodland networks in the world famous Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

This 217 acre country park almost has it all:

- river, burns, loch lomond, beaches, slipway;

- extensive native woodland, outstanding veteran trees, designed parkland, walled garden;

- red squirrels, an array of wild fish species;

- A-Listed castle, gatehouses, playparks; &

- easy access by train, bus, bike and car from Glasgow.

Yet while annual visitor numbers have soared from 400,000 in 2003 to an estimated million now, this vast Park is suffering a rapid 'managed' decline - abandoned &  sunken watercraft, riven with problem non-native, self-seeding conifers & bamboo, erosion undermining woodland, mature trees and paths. Anti-social behaviour & littering, no café, accessible toilets or shop, deteriorating fenced off castle, minimal organised education, events or volunteering opportunities, & substantial negative impacts associated with a huge increase in footfall.

The Park and its bonnie banks are visitor magnets but these outstanding natural & capital assets currently generate no income for reinvestment in the Park. As well as international visitors, it serves some of the most deprived areas of Scotland. Owned by Glasgow City Council and leased to West Dunbartonshire Council, Balloch Castle Country Park is sinking and desperately needs vision and resources now.

https://www.facebook.com/Ballochcastlecountrypark

Our Balloch Park: https://vimeo.com/764966107/3a04ec5a56 

The Annan Riparian Restoration Network aims to expand and restore a network of broadleaf woodlands across the River Annan and its tributaries. By planting a mixture of native species at key locations we aim to enhance biodiversity whilst crucially building climate resilience into the landscape.

This ambitious project will bring together multiple landowners, with combined landholdings of over 35,000ha throughout the catchment. The project will consult, engage and involve local stakeholders, community groups and schools to improve their local surroundings for people and nature.

The project will use data and local knowledge to identify areas where riparian tree planting will provide multiple benefits, enhancing water quality and biodiversity, keeping waters shaded from increasing summer temperatures, providing natural flood management and connecting places for nature throughout the landscape. Through better management, sharing knowledge and protection of these important areas around watercourses there will be opportunities for communitites to enjoy, understand and engage with their natural environment. This will have benefits for both physical health and mental wellbeing as well as the health of the river.