Help restore Renfrewshire's rivers
Come along to our drop-in sessions at Renfrewshire House and Paisley Central Library for more info and to meet the team.
Colleagues are invited to join our biodiversity team in this year's Restoring Renfrewshire's Rivers project.
The volunteering role will involve walking along local riverbanks to spot and remove invasive plants as well as restoration work like planting trees and wildflowers.
All volunteers will receive training on how to identify and safely remove invasive plant species and where required, some volunteers will receive specialised training in the use of pesticides.
If this sounds like something you fancy, then consider popping along to one of our information drop-in sessions where you can get to know the team, ask questions and meet other volunteers.
Don't forget you can request up to two days paid leave per year to volunteer within the local community or support voluntary and charitable organisations. Find out more about employee volunteering leave.
Drop-in sessions:
- Renfrewshire House, Corporate Meeting Room 3 (second floor), on Tuesday 13 May from 10:00-13:00.
- Paisley Central Library, on Thursday 15 May from 10.30am-1pm.
A word from Graeme Mclatchie, Senior marketing officer and volunteer
Senior marketing officer, Graeme McLatchie volunteered last year and he's looking forward to getting back out there. He said:
"I signed up last year after reading about the project in Take 5 and it's been great fun! I've been out Balsam-bashing in Lochwinnoch and at Clyde Muirshiel, in a small, friendly group each time - including Allan from the RRR team who keeps you right in identifying which plants to 'bash' and how to do it safely. It's nice to have a volunteering opportunity that lets you get outdoors and it's satisfying at the end of each session to see the area you've cleared and the difference you've made. I'll definitely be volunteering again this year and I'm looking forward to getting out there!"
Why we're doing this
Invasive non-native plant species like Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed wreak havoc on our local riverbanks and they can be harmful to humans and animals.
Our Restoring Renfrewshire's Rivers project aims to revive the most affected areas and ensure Renfrewshire has well-connected, nature-rich habitats for native plants, wildlife, and pollinating insects.
If you sign up, you'll also be supporting the Council's net zero ambitions by helping to reduce carbon emissions and soil erosion, while strengthening our riverbanks against flooding.
More details and how to sign up
When you're ready to sign up, please email restoringrenfrewshiresrivers@renfrewshire.gov.uk.
Published on Friday 02 May 2025
