Scottish Government

No 5174

2nd September 2002

Revitalising a centuries-old wood and boosting the variety of its wildlife has breathed fresh life into a new town community and earned it a place at the centre of a nationwide celebration.

Dedridge Wood was transformed from part of the countryside to the heart of a town when Livingston was built in the 1960s. The 250 year-old oak trees were mixed with introduced beech, sycamore and conifers, changing the nature and appearance of the wood.

Local people have started turning the clock back, pitching in to a project to clean up and restore the woodland and make it the pride of the area. Litter has been cleaned up, pupils have carried out bird surveys and exotic trees are being remove to enable the native oak to flourish.

Now Dedridge project has been hailed a flagship project of Scottish Biodiversity Week, nine days of events and activities to raise awareness about Scotland's rich variety of animals, plants, fungi, microbes and the habitats in which they live.

" Dedridge Wood has sparked the interest of a huge variety of people, from youngsters in the Boys Brigade and church groups to senior citizens and politicians," said West Lothian environment team leader John Sheldon.

"The enthusiasm and dedication local people have made this project very special, and enabled a host of events in the wood to be so successful. Tree and bird surveys carried out by St Ninian's, Bankton and Dedridge Primary Schools helped with assessing the biodiversity of the wood, and resulted in a popular exhibition on local wildlife. Work for activity badges by youth groups is ongoing, and community councils are also playing an active role in consultation and promoting the benefits the revamp will bring."

The work is being funded by a Forestry Commission grant, with involvement by West Lothian Council, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage and Scottish Water.

Scottish Biodiversity Week will see more than 100 events across the country run by environmental and community groups, government agencies and individuals to help increase awareness of the work being done to safeguard and enrich our native wildlife.

Biodiversity Week coordinator Jo Lenthall hailed the Dedridge project a 'key example' of how communities and wildlife organisations could work together to enrich the environment and help improve communities' quality of life.

"Oakwoods harbour an incredibly rich array of wildlife, from lichens and ground beetles to blue tits and bats. Restoring the wood will enable animals, plants and insects to flourish, boosting the biodiversity of the area and making it a much more special place for people to enjoy."

" As well as being home to a far greater variety of life, the revitalised Dedridge Wood will provide a vital green place for the people of Livingston to enjoy," she said. " The success of the project to date is a credit to the hard work and commitment shown by the community, and the rewards of that will be reaped by current and future generations."

Notes to editors:

1) For further information on the project contact John Sheldon on 01506 775 278.

2) Information on Scotland's biodiversity and the scores of events taking place across the country to celebrate Scottish Biodoversity Week can be found on www.scotland.gov/biodiversity

Over 100 events are planned across the country, ranging from guided walks, talks, interactive games and exhibitions to fungal forays, tree and wildflower planting.