A GROUP in Greenock are working towards protecting endangered and damaged habitats, to ensure the future of Scottish species native to the area.
The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) originally sparked the project through their Green Gym initiative, which is open to all those who want to help in the outdoors.
It also aims to help boost mental health in depression sufferers through being outdoors and keeping active, while doing essential conservation work to benefit the local environment.
The Green Gym project at Coves Community Nature Reserve in Greenock came to an end last week due to funding cuts. But its participants are keen to continue the environmental progress made, thanks to the benefits reaped for their own mental health and to make sure the area’s biodiversity does not become compromised once work is stopped.
Marie Stonehouse, 52, is one of the driving forces behind the new group and believes work must continue to ensure the protection of Coves Community Nature Reserve. She said: “This location has great potential to be a nature escape for the community, be an attraction for visitors and has the potential to be used as an outlet for educational purposes.
“I have a dream of changing the fate of this natural treasure and instil community involvement and pride of place.
“It will take a network of people working together to achieve these positive outcomes.”
Currently Greenock West and Cardwell Bay Community Councils do not put funding into the conservation of Coves Community Nature Reserve’s wildlife or biodiversity.
The area has become overcome with species not native to Scotland, which detrimentally affects plant and animal life already there.
“There is so much wildlife here that needs our protection,” continued Ms Stonehouse.
“Across Scotland, there is a growing trend of native species becoming endangered. Without essential conservation work, species native to this specific area like freshwater birdlife, amphibians and rare flowers in the grassland such as the Butterfly Orchid could be gone forever.”
The new group, named “Friends of Coves Community Nature Reserve,” also hopes to continue the work achieved in bettering the mental health of participants.
Mark McVey, 45, suffered with depression and anxiety before becoming a part of TCV’s Green Gym initiative and was referred to the project by SAMH. He said: “Doing this project has really helped my mental health but it’s also made me appreciate the local area and the wildlife here,.
“I really want the work to continue – to preserve the area for future generations is so important and we should appreciate what’s on our doorsteps.
“It’s all too easy for it to disappear.”
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