South Lanarkshire has a rich and varied countryside from upland moorland in the south to the flood plain of the River Clyde in the north.
A wide range of habitats exists across the area, including ancient and semi-natural woodland. This is mostly found in the Clyde valley, where some of it is designated as National Nature Reserve.
Peatland can be found in the form of blanket bog in the uplands, while in lowland areas there are good examples of raised bog. This range of habitat supports a rich variety of life.
Of course, wildlife is not restricted to the wider countryside and can flourish in urban settings where it has adapted to life in this environment.
You can find out more about local wildlife from South Lanarkshire Biodiversity Strategy and Biodiversity Action Plan.
To improve outdoor access to both the wider countryside of South Lanarkshire and its Greenspace, South Lanarkshire Core Paths Plan has been developed. The Plan identifies a network of routes which includes rights of way, long distance routes (Clyde Walkway, Southern Upland Way), cycle routes (such as East Kilbride cycle routes) routes on water, and rural pavements linking communities.
