A group of Mearns Academy pupils have assisted Glensaugh Research Farm by collecting plastic. The 1,000-hectare farm, which is run by the James Hutton Institute, uses tree guards and nets to protect young trees against grazing animals, including sheep and deer.

Donald Barrie, Glensaugh farm manager, said: “The world has woken up to the problem of plastic pollution in all industries, including agriculture and forestry.

“Plastic tree guards are used as an alternative to fences to protect young trees, but these plastics degrade over time, breaking down into smaller pieces which are washed into burns and then out to sea.

“I am grateful to this group of Mearns Academy students for volunteering to help us remedy the problem.”

Katherine Nepute, PT of Achievement at Mearns Academy, explained that the effort at Glensaugh was part of a wider drive across outdoor locations in the area, in the context of the academy’s participation in the Scottish Government’s Saltire Award, which celebrates young volunteers in Scotland.

“We hope that the kids have the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine, the outdoors, and become more aware of all the great places and people that live in their local area,” Ms Nepute said.

You can find out more about Glensaugh here