Tilly Wildlife Group (TWiG) has seen a promising start to the year with new nests flourishing and pollinators returning in Tillicoultry and nearby areas.
TWiG treasurer Kevin said: "The first fledglings are leaving our new nest boxes and bumble bees and other pollinators (butterflies, hoverflies and moths) are regularly seen feeding on the plants we've put in.
"Not only that, but passers-by, neighbours and volunteers are regularly saying how much they're enjoying seeing the new flower beds on the High Street and in the Park and watching the birds nesting in their gardens."
The group focuses on amplifying the impact of each project by involving the wider community.
Kevin said: "Every time we (TWiG) do something in a community space we try and multiply the effect.
"We put up 10 nest boxes in a local park and along the cycleway, but 30 went home to be put up in people's gardens and backgreens."
He also highlighted the scale of potential impact across the area, saying: "If you added up all of the gardens and greenspaces in Tillicoultry, Coalsnaughton and Devonside, it would be the size of 86 football pitches (best guess)."
The organisation’s efforts are rooted in a belief that improving natural spaces benefits both people and the environment.
Kevin said: "We started TWiG because we want to make our place better.
"All the research tells us that seeing and being in nature is good for our health.
"It reduces our stress an anxiety, improves our mood, lowers our blood pressure, boosts our immune system, gives us more focus and even helps us sleep better.
"There's more good news - letting nature thrive is one of the ways we can tackle the Climate emergency.
"More trees and longer grass soak up climate polluting gases like carbon dioxide."
TWiG has plans to expand its activities later in the year.
Kevin said: "We want to do lots more good things.
"We'll plant bulbs and trees towards the end of the year.
"We're also starting to think about things to do next year."
Potential future projects include building swift, swallow and house martin nest boxes, creating ledges to minimise mess, and constructing hedgehog homes and 'highways' to allow the creatures to safely move between gardens.
The group encourages residents to report sightings of nesting birds or hedgehogs in the area.
TWiG’s work is supported by Forth Environment Link Scotland, Tilly Community Council, and Clackmannanshire Council.
Residents can get involved by visiting the group’s Facebook page or emailing tillywildlifegroup@gmail.com.
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