A new project is set to shine a spotlight on nature through the eyes of young people.
Based in Balloch Castle Country Park, the project is a creative scheme designed to highlight the wildlife and greenery of the area.
It is being delivered by Balloch Primary School and Haldane Youth Services (HYS) in partnership with the Balloch Castle Country Park Regeneration Group (BCCPRG), West Dunbartonshire Council’s greenspace team and an artist.
Audrey Baird, vice chair of the regeneration group, said: "Children really love nature and have an inherent appreciation for it.
"Their faces light up with delight when they catch a glimpse of a red squirrel or play in autumn leaves, spot a butterfly or hear a cuckoo.
"Nature is essential for all life and Balloch Park provides a vital, accessible opportunity for everyone to enjoy and learn about the truly important forces in the world that provide air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat and the other plants and animals we evolved to share our planet with."
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The Balloch Park – Who Lives Here? project will use augmented reality and other colourful displays to bring visitors closer to the red squirrels, hedgehogs, birds, trees, insects and flowers that inhabit the park.
Carol Bradburn, head of SafeDeposits Scotland, said: "We are delighted to award a SafeDeposits Scotland Community Fund grant to this innovative project led by Balloch Castle Country Park Regeneration Group.
"The initiative will involve the local community and raise environmental awareness, which are among the positive outcomes we aim to support through the fund."
Artist Laura Henderson of Good Stuff Creative, who previously worked with the children, families and staff at CHAS Robin House to create a series of Balloch Park-themed lamp post banners, is leading the Who Lives Here? project.
Caroline Austin, network development manager for community and stakeholder engagement, said: "We are delighted to be supporting this project in Balloch Park through our ArtRoots programme, funded by the Scottish Government.
"ArtRoots enables us to support art projects along traffic-free National Cycle Network routes in Scotland – enhancing spaces to be more welcoming and in doing so encouraging more people to explore their local area by walking, wheeling or cycling on the network.
"This project will bring Balloch Park to life in new ways for both local people and visitors.
"We are looking forward to seeing what the artists and the community come up with, to inspire more people to discover the park’s flora and fauna whilst getting out into nature on National Cycle Network Route 7."
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The Balloch Park – Who Lives Here project is expected to be completed this spring.
Councillor David McBride, convener of infrastructure, regeneration and economic development, said: "Balloch Park is a stunning visitor destination which is right on our doorstep and it is great to hear that young people are embracing its story.
"This project provides a brilliant opportunity for youngsters here to learn about and take pride in local nature."
