The team is celebrating its first 12 months managing, maintaining and promoting green spaces for people and wildlife across the local area.
The rangers carry out regular patrols and inspections of the 22 sites managed by Stirling Council, from Gowan Hill to Wester Moss, and are also responsible for undertaking vital maintenance and wildlife conservation.
Re-established in August 2022, the rangers also deliver outdoor education and practical volunteer sessions, as well as providing responsible access information and advice for all age groups.
Action
Highlights of the last 12 months include attracting more than 1,000 individuals from local communities to engagement events, from a Nature Walk at Plean Country Park to building bird feeders in Kings Park.
They have also organised and delivered regular events and volunteer action days, where people can get involved in practical conservation tasks. In addition, they have carried out almost 350 site visits and engaged with dozens of schools and partner organisations.
Pride
Cllr Jen Preston, Convener of the Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee, said: “The return of the Council’s Greenspace Rangers over the last year has delivered significant benefits to the people and communities of Stirling, as well as our natural environment.
“The ranger service supports local volunteers to be involved and have a sense of pride and ownership in their green spaces, allowing people - and nature - to continue to benefit from them.
“Green spaces contribute to the health and wellbeing of the people of Stirling, from all age groups, and mitigate against climate change and biodiversity loss.
“The skilful and enthusiastic management of these spaces by our rangers helps safeguard them for future generations as we pursue our net zero ambitions.”
Communities
Ranger Ettie Shattock added: “Greenspace Rangers are a vital bridge between understanding what is happening on the ground and being able to take action to make our greenspaces even better.
“We have enjoyed working with so many people in communities across the Stirling area, including school groups, adult volunteers and local communities.
“We love working with them all, but taking the younger children and their parents for bug hunts, nature walks or pond dips is always particularly fun. It’s great to see the younger generations so engaged in their natural environment.”