A DUNFERMLINE volunteer is helping to bring seagrass meadows back to the Forth.

Sandy Mitchell is working with other volunteers in the Restoration Forth to bring back vital seagrass meadows that increase biodiversity help tackle climate change and improve water quality in the Firth of Forth.

Sandy told the Press: "The Restoration Forth project is important in raising awareness, within local communities, of the future benefits that can be gained with the re-introduction of sea grass and native oysters into the Forth estuary.

“Involving people from the local communities gives them a sense of achievement and pride in knowing that they are helping to improve water quality, increase biodiversity and tackling CO2 issues in the years to come.”

The project has begun in three different areas of the Forth – Tyninghame Beach in East Lothian, Dalmeny’s Drum Sands and Pettycur Bay in Fife.

These locations were selected due to being sheltered, and along with the discovery of remanent seagrass, it’s hoped they will provide suitable growing conditions.

Over the coming months the sites will be monitored and if the seeds take successfully then large-scale planting will go ahead in March next year, with the aim of restoring four hectares of seagrass in the Firth of Forth by 2024, the equivalent of 5.5 international football pitches.

Alongside the seagrass planting, native oysters will be deployed to create reefs, which once flourished in the Forth, that will remove pollutants and provide sanctuary for a vast array of marine life.

Naomi Arnold, Restoration Forth Project Manager, said: “This is a really exciting step in the Restoration Forth project. As these trial sites have been carefully selected, we’re hopeful the seagrass seeds will take, start to germinate and that we can continue with further trials this year.

“Seagrass is the unsung hero of our oceans and can play a major part in tackling climate change as well improving water quality and enhancing biodiversity.

“The project wouldn’t be possible without the enthusiasm of our local volunteers and community hubs who have put in so much effort and hard work.”

Restoration Forth is a three year long project and is funded by Aviva, the ScottishPower Foundation, the Moondance Foundation and the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, which is facilitated by the Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF) and managed by NatureScot.