Call for volunteers to help make ‘Treesy for the Reds’

ANGUSalive has received Action Earth funding from NatureScot which will support volunteers helping the Red Squirrel population at Forfar Loch Country Park.

The nature grant award of £250 will fund the environmental activity ‘Treesy for the Reds’, which involves planting a mixed woodland on the south side of the loch. This will link up other sections of woodland to enhance the wildlife corridor for Reds by providing food, and when mature enough will help the squirrels to spend less time on the ground.

Mhairi Kimmet, ANGUSalive Countryside Ranger said: “Species and age diversity is a bonus at the park as it means as we have more mature trees coming down there are younger ones coming up behind them. We will also add spring flowering bulbs to make the area more diverse for other wildlife utilising the area.”

Volunteers of all ages and abilities are invited to join the project which will make an environmental impact on the community’s green space at Forfar Loch. There are several volunteer days planned where anyone can attend to leave a positive stamp on the park.

Midge Allan has volunteered at Forfar Loch for the last twelve years. She said: “Volunteering at Forfar Loch Country Park has given me a real sense of pride. Having raised funds to donate native trees to the park in recent years, I get great pleasure when a larch I’ve planted produces a flower or a cone.

“I am often told by the visitors how pristine the park looks. I hope our visitors get as much pleasure from all our efforts improving things for the wildlife and visitors to the park as I do.”

The first session of Treesy for the Reds is Monday 14 November 2022. If you would like to donate a small amount of time to helping this important project, you can email forfarloch@angusalive.scot or call 01307 461118.