Have Your Say on Plans to Make Stirling Scotland’s Greenest Region

Plans to transform Stirling into the greenest region in Scotland are out for public consultation.

Stirling Council’s ‘Alive with Nature’ Plan sets out the actions the local authority and its partners have identified to create a healthier and more resilient natural environment across Stirling.

Developed in partnership with NatureScot, SEPA and the Green Action Trust, the plans address the twin climate and nature emergencies through the protection and restoration of Stirling’s natural environment.

It is a key component of the Council’s Climate and Nature Emergency Plan that was approved recently by Councillors.

Convener of Stirling Council’s Environment and Housing Committee, Cllr Jim Thomson said: “Through our ‘Alive with Nature’ Plan, we want to make the Stirling area into Scotland’s greenest region, where our stunning natural environment is enjoyed and valued by everyone.

“The aspirations in the document underline our ongoing commitment to combat climate change and conserve biodiversity across Stirling.

“We all need to play our part to make this plan a success so please join the conversation on this crucial issue by taking part in our survey.”

Recent international reports show the damaging effects of climate change on the planet and that one million species are threatened with extinction. However, both studies also demonstrate that there is still time to turn things around.

The ‘Alive with Nature’ Plan will be the primary route for the Council to achieve the commitments it has signed up to in the Edinburgh Declaration, an international agreement to ensure action is taken at all levels to protect biodiversity.

Some of the high priority actions outlined is in the draft blueprint include:

1. The planting of at least 160,000 new trees by 2025.
2. The planting of more than 1 million new trees by 2045.
3. The rollout of three new active travel routes incorporating green infrastructure by 2024.
4. Changes to land management, including grass and verge maintenance, tree planting and use of pesticides in line with Stirling’s Pollinator Strategy.
5. Bring three vacant and derelict land sites into productive use of nature, business and community. 
6. Engage 1,000 volunteers per year to generate engagement from currently under-represented communities.

Vice Convener, Cllr Danny Gibson said: “By investing in our beautiful natural environment and working in partnership with communities and landowners, we can bring positive change across Stirling, creating healthier, wealthier and happier people and places.

“Whether it’s protecting and restoring our precious ecosystems, creating woodland or growing wildflower meadows, we can halt biodiversity loss and contribute to the achievement of a carbon zero society.

“These are issues that affect us all so please take a few minutes and have your say on our plan for action.”

The consultation on the draft ‘Alive with Nature’ Plan will be open until 13 September, and the feedback from the public will be used to refine the Plan, which will be presented for approval at a future meeting of Stirling Council.

Please head to the Engage Stirling platform to view the plan and take part in the survey