1,770 trees take root for Queens Canopy
School pupils and community groups joined forces last week to take part in a project to mark the Queens Green Canopy.
West Lothian Council has worked with the Green Action Trust to draw up environmental improvements ahead of Nelson Park being designated as part of The Queen's Green Canopy, a unique initiative which invites people from across the United Kingdom to plant a tree for the Jubilee.
Improvements at the park include tree planting, surfacing the existing grass path and a seasonal wetland area, with work due to be completed by the end of March.
The event was co-ordinated by the council's Parks and Woodland team and included 45 minute sessions for community and school groups. Over 100 pupils from Armadale Academy; Armadale, Southdale, Eastertoun and St Anthony's Primary Schools; as well as families from the Dale Hub and other members of the public, attended sessions over two days, helping to plant 1,770 trees.
The Queen's representative to West Lothian, Lord-Lieutenant Moira Niven MBE and Executive councillor for the environment Tom Conn joined council officers and community groups in Nelson Park to assist with the tree planting event on Friday.
Lord-Lieutenant Moira Niven MBE, said: "It's fantastic that Nelson Park will form part of the Queen's Green Canopy, delivering environmental improvements to the park in Her Majesty's Jubilee year.
"This is an excellent project to develop a high-quality green space in Armadale for the benefit of the community. I am delighted that this investment is being undertaken as part of the Queen's Green Canopy to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. I hope community groups will also wish to mark this important anniversary through tree and hedge planting projects".
Michael Roe, a Trustee of Green Action Trust said "It's great to see an area of land being converted to a green space that the local community will enjoy and be proud of and which will also be part of The Queen's Green Canopy. Green Action Trust is already proud to be a QGC Friend and we are really pleased that West Lothian Council has identified Nelson Park as a site for community tree planting and enhancement."
