This page highlights projects that the Ecology and Biodiversity Team are currently working on and any relevant information updates.
Urban Forestry Challenge Project
West Lothian Council (WLC) has secured funding from Future Woodlands Scotland for a major urban tree planting project aimed at creating long-term environmental and wellbeing benefits.
Over 1,500 trees will be planted over the next three years in parks, residential areas and school grounds, bringing visible nature into people's daily lives.
Focusing on areas with the greatest need, the project will connect green networks, improve biodiversity, and increase tree canopy cover in neighbourhoods where it's currently lacking.
Over the next couple of years, local residents, schools, and community groups will be invited to take part in planting events, workshops, and maintenance activities, including a dedicated biodiversity and education strand for pupils. Public sessions and annual walks will offer practical learning and highlight the value of trees.
Trees will be planted strategically to support the 'Tree Equity' 3-30-300 vision, which aims to try and ensure everyone should be able to see at least three trees from their home, have at least 30% tree canopy cover in their neighbourhood, and live within 300 metres of a high-quality green space.
Deans and the surrounding area was one of the places highlighted to have particularly poor tree equity which is why a large proportion of the project is centred around this area.
West Lothian Council are committed to the "right tree, right place" approach, making sure trees are climate resilient, appropriate to the setting and that local communities support the chosen locations, to ensure the trees are given the best chance for success.
Your views
We are therefore seeking your views about the project. Please complete the following questionnaire to assist with informing proposals. (Please note that this funding is only available for biodiversity improvements).
The opportunity to feed in to this consultation will run until 31 July 2025.
Whitburn Town Walk Greening Project
Update
We have now planted over 600 trees and 550 wildflower plugs along the Whitburn Town Walk, with help from local pupils, volunteers from Lothians Conservation Volunteers (LCV) and the Tree & Woodland team.
We are holding a final community tree planting event, in partnership with the Ranger Service, on Thursday 13 March 2025, meeting at the Whitburn Community Education Centre. Anyone wishing to join in can come along anytime between 10am - 1pm. All trees, sundries and tools will be provided.
West Lothian Council (WLC) has funding through the NatureScot Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) to enhance the Whitburn Town Walk for nature and the local community through a range of measures including tree and bulb planting; reduced mowing / meadow areas; pond / raingardens; woodland management and woodland planting.
West Lothian Council (WLC) in partnership with Green Action Trust (GAT), have been making changes to Blackmoss nature park to improve the site for people and wildlife.
One of the main objectives was to remove the non-native conifer from the park and around the high school. These trees were becoming over-large and were subject to windthrow and had become an area for anti-social behaviour. Removing the conifer trees has meant we can replant the area with more appropriate species and reduce the seeding of trees onto the adjacent raised bog habitat.
Bog habitats are one of the most important stores of carbon. They're home to unique and important species such as Sphagnum moss species, as well as locally uncommon Cranberry (a small flowering plant which scrambles over the surface of the moss carpet) and Round-leaved Sundew (a carnivorous plant). Conifer trees seeding onto the bog negatively affect its ability to retain water, leading it dry out and making it less suitable for those specialist species. This leads to declines in species diversity and richness.
The felled compartments are being restocked with a mixture of native broadleaves. Depending on the characteristics of the compartment (i.e. how wet or dry it is etc.), there will be a mixture of the following species planted: Willow, Alder, Oak, birch, Rowan and Hazel. While it will take time for the site to return to woodland, the chosen species will improve the overall biodiversity of the site and ensure long term carbon sequestration.
Habitat and species surveys to inform the management and pre-felling.
Felling works to remove the non-native conifer trees - Under SF felling licence
Pond work - removal of an area of vegetation and litter by the Lothian Conservation Volunteers and WLC Ranger Service.
Replacement tree planting of compartment 5 and 6 in connection with WLC Ranger Service, Arb team, Local Primary Schools, and the 28th West Lothian Scout Group.
What is planned:
Planting of compartments 1-4 in October/November 2024 by contractors
