Wild spaces for butterflies to be created in Glasgow

Dozens of new wild spaces are set to be created to attract butterflies, moths, and other wildlife across Glasgow.

Working with Glasgow City Council, the Butterfly Conservation charity hopes to open 40 habitats for wildlife during the two-year project.

Their aim is to fight the decline in common butterflies and moths across the UK by creating habitat in urban areas, and inspire people to take more actions to help wildlife.

The project team also hopes to recruit at least 40 volunteers to maintain the new areas in parks, schools and community hubs.

Butterfly Conservation project officer Claire Martin said: "Parks and green spaces are incredibly important for local communities, providing opportunities to enjoy time outdoors and discover wildlife.

"They are integral to our wellbeing and enrich our local environments in so many ways."

She said Glasgow's network of green spaces made up more than a fifth of the city's total area.

"By improving this network and creating Wild Spaces to support butterflies and moths, we can have an incredible impact for nature and for communities across Glasgow," she said.

"Plus, you might be surprised at some of the beautiful and exotic-looking butterflies and moths that live right here in the city."

The £250,000 project has been funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Glasgow City Council and Butterfly Conservation supporters.

Over the next two years they hope to open 15 wildlife zones in public green spaces, and 13 in schools with the help of pupils and staff.

A launch event took place at St Martha's Primary School on Thursday and several parks across the city have already been selected for the project, including Penilee Park and Richmond Park.

The project also plans to distribute Wild Spaces start-up packs, including wildflower seeds, for people to create miniature green havens wherever they live.

A long list of organisations has already expressed interest in joining the project including primary and secondary schools, LGBT Youth Scotland, Glasgow University and a host of community groups.

Angus Millar, city convener for climate, said: "This is a great initiative to create more spaces across Glasgow for nature.

"Pollinators such as butterflies and moths play a vital role in maintaining our natural environment and we need to provide food and shelter across all types of land to arrest their decline and help them thrive.

"The Wild Spaces project will support new habitats across the city, and is a particularly great opportunity for schools and local groups to support their local environment.

"I look forward to more Glaswegians having access to nature in their communities and to seeing green spaces across the city come alive in the year ahead."

The initiative is part of Butterfly Conservation's nationwide Wild Spaces programme which encourages people to take action for butterflies and moths, no matter where they live or how much green space is accessible to them.

A similar two-year project in Perth and Stirling engaged more than 1,000 people and created 20 new areas of butterfly and moth habitat in urban and suburban areas.

Another ambition of the Glasgow project is to connect with five more councils outside Glasgow, share some of the successes from the city and support them to take similar action.