South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth joined the John Muir Trust at Glenude recently to help plant trees as part of an initiative to restore a functional native woodland habitat, increasing woodland connectivity.

Colin Smyth and fellow MSP Paul Sweeney joined those from the charity Phoenix Futures, which is dedicated to working with people in recovery from drug and alcohol issues.

As part of the charity’s ‘Recovery through Nature’ programme, every year the Trust host a tree-planting day to commemorate and celebrate the recovery journey of everyone who has completed their programme.

Colin Smyth said: “It was fantastic to join the John Muir Trust at Glenude and I’m proud of being part of the group which planted hundreds of trees.

“Glenlude, which covers 149 hectares on the Southern Uplands, is in the heart of the Scottish Borders and the Trust is working to convert the commercial conifer plantation with native broadleaf trees and to restore a functional native woodland habitat, increasing woodland connectivity.

“It was also an honour to take part with Phoenix Futures and hear more about their work, as well get the chance to speak to those who were there as part of the Recovery through Nature programme and help celebrate their recovery journeys with them.

“Planting the saplings was hard work but it was very rewarding to think that our efforts will help restore a native woodland habitat to this part of the world.”