Lochside clean-up

Jul 3 2009 by Kaiya Marjoribanks, Stirling Observer Friday

MORE than 70 bags of litter – and even a discarded tent full of rubbish – were gathered up on Loch Lomondside recently.

Volunteers from the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority grabbed their litter pickers and took part in a mass clean up operation as part of National Volunteers Week.

The event was run in partnership with Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS).

The team of 10 volunteers visited FCS sites, including Rowardennan, and collected 73 bags of litter and the tent.

National park volunteer coordinator Zoe Morris said: “The team of volunteers were fantastic and as a result of their hard work really improved the quality of these visitor sites.

“The squad was noticed by visitors and gave us the opportunity to speak to them and ask them to take their litter home with them. Volunteering allows people to give something back to a place that is special to them and also to spend time in parts of the national park they might not otherwise get to visit or learn about.

“Volunteering also enables people to get actively involved in the work of the park which promotes a sense of ownership.

“The event was run as part of Volunteers Week, which gives organisations an opportunity to promote volunteering and recognises the contribution that volunteers make.

“The national park has more than 200 voluteers who take part in a number of activities including conservation work.”

The group was joined by Tom Lawrence from National Trust for Scotland (NTS), who gave a talk about the work of the NTS on Ben Lomond.

To find out more about volunteering for the national park contact Zoe Morris on (01389) 722600 or e-mail: zoe.morris@lochlomond-trossachs.org