Ardeer Quarry Nature Reserve is set to become home to a new woodland walk trail, benefitting both people and wildlife and helping tackle climate change.

Stevenston conservation charity FRIENDS will plant 2,000 trees for the new trail as part of Garnock Connections Landscape Partnership project being led by RSPB in conjunction with North Ayrshire Council and other organisations.

Councillor Jim Montgomerie, Cabinet Member for Place, said: "The project is one of a number projects being funded through a £1.3m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with match funding coming from partner organisation contributions including North Ayrshire Council, a variety of other sources and specifically the Green Infrastructure Community Engagement Fund for the new Ardeer Community Woodland.

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"This project will not only provide an attractive new woodland area that offers recreation, leisure, and biodiversity benefits for the local community, but will also contribute to our aspirations to tackle climate change as the trees planted will help absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere."

Iain Hamlin, Secretary at FRIENDS said: "We're really pleased that the project has come to fruition and tree planting will shortly be underway. The new wood will bring many benefits. As well as contributing to attempts to tackle climate change, the creation of the wood will provide visitors with an attractive new woodland walk."

The new woodland area will consist mainly of oak and birch with an understory of holly, elder, rowan and hazel trees. Connecting a pathway to an existing path network, the new walkway will provide an alternative route to a section of the woodland which had previously been waterlogged for over 30 years.

Coordinating the project is Ian McNab, Garnock Connections Project Officer. "This new woodland is a great example of successful partnership working between Garnock Connections, North Ayrshire Council and FRIENDS," Ian said.

"The woodland trail will offer so many benefits to the local communities and beyond. Whether bird watching or taking the dog for a walk, visitors can enjoy this wonderful new feature for generations to come. Moreover, as the trees grow, they will provide more homes for wildlife and help us in our continued fight against climate change."

(CM/JG)