Across South Lanarkshire there are 17 Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) which are mostly close to towns.

LNRs are valuable places as they combine protection of our natural heritage with opportunities for people to enjoy, learn about and experience nature close to their homes.

As well as the 17 LNRs, greenspaces are also local parks, gardens, paths and cycleways, cemeteries, sports and school grounds and a wide range of other spaces and play areas.

Councillor Norman Rae, the council’s Chair of the Climate and Sustainability Committee, said: “Getting out and enjoying our local green spaces is a fantastic and free way to not only support our climate and biodiversity, but also provides a healthy lifestyle through regular outdoor exercise and also improves your mental wellbeing.

“Most of the benefits of our LNRs and greenspaces are because of nature. But now nature and greenspaces are needing our help to restore and protect wildlife and biodiversity.

“The good news is that there are things that we can all do to help make a difference. So please consider coming along to one of local conservation days run by our Countryside Rangers to get some ideas about how we can all help protect our green spaces.”

Upcoming conservation days include:

• Thursday 18 September - Bothwell LNR Conservation Day (10.30am-2.30pm)
  Chatelherault Country Park Conservation Day (10.30am-2.30pm)
• Wednesday 24 September - lunchtime heroes at Fernbrae Meadows (11:30am-1:30pm)
• Thursday 2 October - Milton LNR Conservation Day in Carluke (10.30am-2.30pm)
  New Roots, Neilsland and Earnock LNR (10.30am-2.30pm)

Follow the Countryside Rangers’ Facebook page for more information and how to get in touch if you are interested in volunteering at one of your local conservation days.

For more outdoor activity options please go to the council’s Getting outdoors pages.

There are also a wide range of other events taking place across South Lanarkshire – more details on the Lanarkshire Climate Action Festival Programme pages.