A tree planting project in Kirkcudbright has passed an important milestone.
Members of the town’s rotary club, with the help of the local community and schoolchildren, have now planted more than 1,000 trees in the Castledykes area.
Work on the Castledykes Woodland Regeneration scheme began in November and was supported by local firms James Smith & Co and WC in Fields.
Through a series of dedicated days, the trees have been planted with appropriate tree guards and it is hoped that this becomes a valued woodland resource on the edge of the town.
The initial work to plant more than 900 trees has now been supplemented to give the figure of more than 1,000.
The rotary club’s Keith Bruce said: “This initiative by Rotary Kirkcudbright is one small part of Rotary’s widespread work in helping to create a sustainable improvement to our environment.
“We are very grateful for the support provided by Galloway Glens, as well as our local Inner Wheel team”.
Some of the funding for the planting came through the South of Scotland Tree Planting Grant Scheme which has awarded more than 50 grants across Dumfries and Galloway.
It is hoped the scheme will help support the planting of more than 11,000 native trees by April.
The scheme is administered by Jonathan Barrett from the Galloway Glens who said: “The work of Kirkcudbright Rotary and the local schools will have a real and lasting impact on raising awareness of the importance of trees in addressing climate change whilst promoting a spirit of woodland stewardship in the local community.
“We anticipate that approximately 11,000 native trees will be planted across Dumfries and Galloway by the end of March.
“We are so grateful to everyone involved, particularly funders and the council’s environment team.
“Behind the scenes, we are in the process of trying to secure funds to run it again next year.”
To apply for one of the last remaining tree grants for this year, visit https://gallowayglens.org/native-tree-planting-across-dumfries-galloway-further-round-of-funding-available/
