Thanks to National Lottery Heritage Funding and environmental charity Froglife, the first stage of the three-year project will see the council’s Countryside and Greenspace Service creating 10 new ponds at its Langlands Moss site from November.

Councillor Norman Rae, the Chair of the council’s Climate and Sustainability Committee, said: “The Coalface to Wildspace project is a fantastic way to further enhance our area’s former mining sites by creating new and restoring existing freshwater and terrestrial habitats for amphibians, reptiles, and other wildlife.

“And as well as supporting wildlife, the project will also improve accessibility to our natural spaces and encourage everyone to engage with our local wildlife through volunteering and other activities and events.”

The other ponds that will be created and restored will take place at some of South Lanarkshire’s other Local Nature Reserves (LNR) - South Haugh, Low Parks, Westburn and Fernbrae Meadows.

LNRs are valuable places as they not only combine protection of our natural heritage whilst supporting our climate and biodiversity, but also offer opportunities for people to enjoy, learn about and experience nature close to their homes with the added bonus of promoting healthy lifestyle and mental wellbeing through regular outdoor exercise.

Joanna Birkin, the council’s Biodiversity Officer, said: “The Coalface to Wildspace project is a fantastic conservation and community engagement project which will restore and create habitats particularly for native amphibians and reptiles but will enhance our natural heritage overall.

“These projects will be undertaken in former industrial areas, improving the areas’ wildlife but also improving access so that local communities can access and enjoy the green areas right on their doorstep.”

Ponds are one of the UK's most important wildlife habitats, supporting at least two-thirds of Britain's freshwater plants and animals. They are particularly important for amphibians and reptiles, which depend on healthy freshwater and terrestrial habitats to survive. Across Europe, 59% of amphibian species and 42% of reptile species are experiencing population declines, with many threatened by habitat loss, fragmentation, disease and environmental pressures.