Ranger Events and Walks
The Ranger Service compiles an annual leaflet of Events and Walks which is available from Clackmannanshire Council's libraries and CAPs as well as our main offices at Greenfield and Lime Tree House.
You can view or download the Events and Walks programme 2009 from this page.
You can also use the following links to check the events and walks by month on this page:
Events Diary
All Rangers' Events and Walks are detailed by month in the ClacksWeb Events Diary.
| Day/Date | Event | Description of Event | Meeting Place | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - APRIL - | ||||
| Sat 25th | Workday - National Spring Clean | Its National Spring Clean month so its time to help out the Countryside Rangers with a litter pick on the footpaths along the River Devon and River Forth at Cambus. | Devon Place, Cambus | 1.00 - 3.30 pm |
| Sun 26th | Doggy Ramble | Bring your pampered pooch on this wild walk along new woodland paths in the Gartmorn area . A circular walk of about 3 miles. Bring a lead & poo bags. Grade 2. | Gartmorn Dam Visitor Centre | 1.00 - 3.00 pm |
| - MAY - | ||||
| Sat 23rd | Workday - Scottish Biodiversity Week | As part of Scottish Biodiversity Week we will be working to improve the habitat of the River Devon. The river suffers from large areas of invasive non-native plants. We will beremoving Himalayan Balsam at the side of the river. | Devonvale Hall | 1.00 - 3.30 pm |
| Sun 24th | Family Pond Dipping | As part of the Local Nature Reserve Celebrations come along anytime between 1.00pm and 3.00pm to try your hand at Pond Dipping and discover what beasties you find in the Dam. Follow the signs from the visitor centre, approx ½ mile. Grade 1. | Gartmorn Dam Visitor Centre | 1.00 - 3.00 pm |
| - JUNE - | ||||
| Sat 13th | Workday - Scottish Wildlife Week - Cowpark Wood | Get your wellies on and help us improve the pond area at Cowpark Wood next to Gartmorn Dam Country Park. BBC Breathing Places funding has provided native pond plants and wildflowers that will help to attract wildlife to this newly created pond. | Gartmorn Dam Visitor Centre | 1.00 - 3.30 pm |
| Sun 14th | Gartmorn Ridge Walk | This walk will go over new paths (created with assistance from Grade 3. | Gartmorn Dam Visitor Centre | 1.00 - 4.00 pm |
| - JULY - | ||||
| Sat 25th - Sun 26th | Family Camp Out | If you have never been wild camping before and want to experience one night under canvas with your family then come and spend the night in the woods with the Countryside Ranger Service. Booking essential. | Gartmorn Dam | Contact Rangers |
| - AUGUST - | ||||
| Tue 11th - Fri 14th | Summer Activities for Kids | This four day adventure lead by the Countryside Rangers in to the darkest woods and waters of Gartmorn Dam, will take a group of 8- 12 year olds through the discovery level of the John Muir Trust Award. On the final day, parents will be invited to join us at base camp and see the work that have been done by the group over the four days. Booking is essential and will be taken for the full four days only. | Gartmorn Dam | 11.00 am - 3.00 pm |
| Sat 29th | Workday at Gartmorn Dam | Join the Rangers in a patrol of Gartmorn Dam. Help to clear litter and cut back vegetation along the paths at one of the county's most attractive areas. | Gartmorn Dam Visitor Centre | 1.00 - 3.30 pm |
| Sun 30th | Family Minibeast Hunt and Insect Hibernation Hotel | Come along and help us hunt in the undergrowth for marvellous minibeasts! From wiggly worms to lovely ladybirds, who knows what you might find. Make a hotel to help insects survive the winter. Grade 1. | Ochil Woodland Park, Alva | 1.30 - 3.00 pm |
| - SEPTEMBER - | ||||
| Fri 19th (evening) | A Walk on the Dark Side - Night Walk | Join us on the night walk following the Old Back Road between Tillicoultry and the Ochil Woodland Park, looking for bats and other nocturnal creatures that go bump in the night. Approx 2 miles. Grade 1. Sturdy footwear and outdoor clothing required. | Ochil Woodland Park, Alva | 7.30 - 9.00 pm |
| - OCTOBER - | ||||
| Sat 17th | Workday - Rhody bashing | This is a chance for you to be let loose with a saw and tackle the rhododendrons. When left unmanaged these plants dominate. This work forms part of the Woods In and Around Towns project. | Ochil Woodland Park, Alva | 1.00 - 3.30 pm |
| Sun 18th | Feed the Birds Day | Feed the Birds day marks the clocks going back and the beginning of darker days when birds and other wildlife often struggle to find food. Come along to find out how you can help our feathered friends this winter. Make a bird cake to take home. Just turn up any time between 11.00 am and 12.30 pm. Suitable outdoor clothing is advised. | Gartmorn Dam | 11.00 am - 3.00 pm |
| - NOVEMBER - | ||||
| Sat 28th | Workday | National Tree Week - create a mixed hedgerow by closely spaced tree planting on the Island Field at Gartmorn Dam. A walk of approx 1/2 mile from the visitors centre. Grade 1. | Gartmorn Dam Visitor Centre | 1.00 - 3.30 pm |
| Sun 29th | National Tree Week with the RSPB | What beasties, bugs and other wildlife live in trees? Find out through some fun activities with the RSPB Information Officer. Grade 1. | Gartmorn Dam Visitor Centre | 1.00 - 3.00 pm |
Walking Grades
- Grade 1: Flat - all on surfaced path less than 3 miles.
- Grade 2: Undulating terrain - some sections may be off surfaced paths or more than 3 miles.
- Grade 3: Hilly terrain - more than 3 miles mostly off surfaced paths.
Work Days
A Ranger Service workday is the activity for you if you want to
- improve your fitness levels;
- give something back to the local environment;
- meet other people;
- learn new skills;
- have some skills you wish to pass on.
We will do our best to find a task that suits you, so you don't have to worry about your fitness level or age. You can also choose how long you wish to come along for. Safety gloves and tools will be provided.
Tasks
The workday's tasks may include:
- Cutting back foliage from overgrown paths;
- Nest/ bat box building;
- Tree planting;
- Rhody bashing;
- Litter Clearance;
- Habitat improvements work;
- Path maintenance.
Core Paths Plan
If you live in or visit Clackmannanshire, and walk, run, cycle, horse ride, sail, canoe or kayak, or manage land in
Clackmannanshire; the Core Paths Plan affects you.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is life in all its forms. Clackmannanshire boasts an impressive range of wildlife that is not restricted to the open countryside, it thrives in our urban areas too.
A new report celebrating the many successes and highlighting the key achievements of the Clackmannanshire Biodiversity Partnership has been published. The Partnership was formed in 2001 with the aim of protecting the county's natural environment. The Partnership has achieved a great deal, with its actions guided by the
Clackmannanshire Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). This 5 year plan has come to an end, so a Biodiversity Action
Plan Progress Report 2003-2008 has been published, summarising the achievements and looking to future actions.
Achievements include:
- Installing 27 barn owl nest boxes. In the past 2 years 22 barn owl chicks have been raised in these boxes.
- Improvements to the Delph Pond, Tullibody, including a new nesting platform for the resident swans and two
floating reedbeds. - Constructing Bobby's Bank at Gartmorn Dam, a secure home for sand martins.
- Planting over 5km of species-rich hedgerows.
- All primary schools have taken part in the Fish Go To School project, giving them an insight into the life cycle of brown trout in local rivers.
More Information
If you would like more information or a copy of the leaflet, please contact us by using the details below.
Publications & documents
Page tools
Contact information
For further information about this page please contact:
Countryside Rangers
Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa, FK10 1EB
Tel: 01259 452478 / 450000 Fax: 01259 452535
Email: rangers@clacks.gov.uk
Or use the on-line contact form
