CREATIVE youngsters across Inverclyde worked full steam ahead on a design project to help the environment.

School pupils across the district were asked to design a woodland walkway - the James Watt Wander - in a patch of land at Coves Community Nature Reserve.

Almost 500 tree saplings, donated by the Woodland Trust and also The Conservation Volunteers’ I Dig Trees programme, will be planted in a stretch of countryside between Mallard Crescent and nearby Clydeview Academy.

A total of 302 pupils from seven schools across the district came up with their own ideas for how the area, which is just under one hectare, should look.

Marie Stonehouse, chair of Friends of Coves Community Nature Reserve, says the project is a fantastic opportunity for young people to become even more connected to the natural environment around them.

Marie said: "This project has allowed creative minds to explore all the possibilities.

"It's all about imagination, problem solving and creativity.

"Having the opportunity to design what the wander will look like has given the young people a real sense of ownership of the area.

"In becoming part of the project, they will be a part of something great for future generations."

Coves Community Nature Reserve was designated as a local nature reserve in April 1998.

It contains 48 hectares of mixed habitat that includes deciduous broadleaf woodland, birch woodland, grass and wildflower meadows, marshland, hedgerows and two reservoirs.

Deer, fox, rabbits, water fowl, wintering water fowl, songbirds and amphibians and invertebrate species are all at home on the site.

The area which will become the James Watt Wander was identified for development in 2011 as part of the area's management plan.

Young people were challenged to come up with ideas for how the trees should be arranged and had to plan for a path between 1.5m and 2.5m in width.

Amazon has donated a gift certificate for the winner and the winning school, and a supply of personal protective equipment for youngsters when they get the chance to plant to saplings.

The project is being delivered in partnership with the Great Place Scheme Inverclyde and is also being supported by Inverclyde Council and the Watt Institution.

Marie is hoping to display the entries at the Watt Institution from November 2 until December 2.

She hopes that young people will take pride in watching the trees grow, knowing that they have been part of the process.

Marie added: "Being involved will boost their long-term physical and emotional development, give them a voice, and give them something to look forward to as they watch these saplings grow into mature trees."

Pupils in S1 at Clydeview Academy were among the first to submit their woodland walk plans.

Lorna Russell, 12, said: "We've been working on our designs in class.

"It's a good thing to be planting more trees as it helps us and helps the environment."

The name of the winner will be revealed tomorrow.

Planting is due to take place in November and December.

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TREE-MENDOUS: Lorna Russell, Eona Morrison and Krish Nathwani are pictured with teacher Lauren Wagstaff and Marie Stonehouse at Coves Nature Reserve.