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Music, nature and community come together at the launch of the Lomond Plant Nursery
The opening of the new Lomond Plant Nursery brought communities together to celebrate a major step for nature recovery, with visitors learning how locally sourced native plants will help restore habitats across Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
The Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Countryside Trust welcomed local communities, volunteers and nature enthusiasts to celebrate the launch of the new Lomond Plant Nursery at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond, Gartocharn.
The free event featured guided nursery tours, seed collection activities, creative workshops, volunteering information and a unique performance of A Duet with Plants by Scottish musician Curlew.
Established to grow native plants from locally collected seed, the nursery was created to support habitat restoration and biodiversity across Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. The launch provided an opportunity for visitors to learn more about the project, explore ways to get involved in nature recovery and celebrate an important new community resource and skills development hub.
A highlight of the afternoon was Curlew’s performance, which saw the musician create live music in collaboration with the plants and trees of Loch Lomond using synthesisers and field recorders, offering visitors a distinctive way to connect with nature through sound.
The event brought people together to mark a significant milestone in local nature recovery while encouraging community involvement in restoring native habitats for future generations. Attendees included conservation enthusiasts, prospective volunteers and families enjoying a day out in the National Park.
Sophia Edejer, Nature Restoration Programme Manager for Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Countryside Trust, said:
“The Lomond Plant Nursery, based at the RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond in Gartocharn and run by the Countryside Trust, is helping to grow native trees and plants from seeds collected right here in the National Park. By growing local seed for local landscapes, we’re not only providing the right plants for restoration projects, but we’re also helping to protect the unique genetic diversity of our native species and reduce the risk of pests and diseases.
But the nursery is about people as much as plants. It gives volunteers and local communities the chance to get involved, learn new skills, connect with nature and play a hands-on role in restoring habitats across the National Park. We know that long-term nature recovery depends on people too, and we’re excited to help more people become part of that journey.”
Hamshya Rajkumar, Nursery Volunteer Coordinator for the Lomond Plant Nursery, added:
“We’re delighted to open the gates of our new nursery and on the day, visitors can learn about the importance of diverse local seeds, then discover how they’re prepared, grown on and nurtured into plants for nature restoration projects across the National Park.
We’re also excited to welcome musician and artist Curlew, whose unique performance will offer a chance to slow down, take in the surroundings and experience the plants and trees around us through deep listening. We hope people leave feeling relaxed, inspired and more connected to nature.
Most of all, we hope visitors come away feeling moved by the experience and inspired to consider volunteering with us.”
The establishment of the nursery was made possible through support from the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund. The launch event formed part of the wider Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Landscape Connections initiative, delivered through a partnership between Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Countryside Trust, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority and RSPB Scotland.
Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the initiative aims to connect people and communities with the area’s natural heritage while delivering nature restoration at scale. Partners said the collaboration would build on existing expertise and resources to create a lasting positive impact for biodiversity, climate resilience and community engagement across the region.
The Trust expressed its hope that the nursery would become a focal point for community-led growing, seed collection and habitat restoration, helping to strengthen biodiversity and support long-term nature recovery throughout Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
