Oct 312014
 

A cheerful article in Aberdeen’s free sheet, the Aberdeen Citizen, appeared on the 23rd of October.  The piece proclaims that plans to take over Nigg Bay for industrialisation “have today been welcomed by local residents.” 

Suzanne Kelly, knowing full well the strength of local opposition to this scheme, looks at the two residents quoted in the piece, and finds the Citizen’s ‘happy’ conclusion somewhat wanting.

rainbow torry 1 apr 06 2

Rainbow viewed across the harbour from Torry

The Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, scandal-hit again lately over millions given to companies that its board has shares in, and Aberdeen’s Harbour Board want to take over Nigg Bay and significant other greenbelt locations in Torry and
Altens.
They rejected plans to renovate brownfield sites north of the harbour and want Nigg Bay because it is the least expensive option.

They are also worried that other Scottish, or worse, European harbours may expand instead, thereby allowing other communities to gain from shipping instead of just Aberdeen.

All of this is spelled out in the booklet the Harbour Board is dishing out to the public at recent consultations. The booklet is written as if the scheme to take Nigg Bay out of public use is a fait accompli.

It should be noted that the public was never asked to consider the options. The one option we are having foisted on us is to give up the Torry coastline and land. That means giving up our already threatened wildlife and our recreation areas, and it means turning this community into a completely industrialised area.

It is a rare resident of Torry who can be delighted at increased pollution: marine fuel is not refined, and is a serious pollutant. Or at the prospect of increased road traffic , and loss of amenities and environment. So, how did the Citizen come up with a headline and an article so favourable to the city’s business interests?

You can understand a booklet written by supporters of a scheme being slanted, but should the Citizen have produced a more objective, honest piece than the one it printed? According to Aberdeen Journals Ltd., we are happy about this. Well, two of us are happy, anyway. Alan Reid, described as being of the Torry Heritage Group is quoted, and so is another person, Tinotendra Okere.

Many people just glance at headlines, and assume something in print is accurate. This is exactly what a propagandist relies on. The article talks about everything, except air quality, loss of land, increasing industrialisation, increased lorry traffic in Torry, loss of wildlife and wildlife habitat, and further urban sprawl. We are meant to be happy for money and jobs creation, and anything else is a secondary concern.

Alan Reid is interested in the area’s heritage, that is clear (seemingly the built environment is more important to him than the natural heritage, as he is happy to consign Nigg Bay and its two SSSIs to history for potential job creation). He is entitled to his opinion.  The article sees fit to mention that he is part of Torry Heritage (one of 1600 members on the Facebook page), but to be clear – he does not speak for the group.   The Citizen doesn’t tell us about Tinotendra Okere’s interest,s though it tells us about Reid’s background.  If Reid’s background is relevant, than surely so is Okere’s.  Researching what her interests may be, it seems Ms Okere may indeed be quite happy about the industrial expansion plan…

‘Happy’ Tinotendra Okere, your average Torry resident who…

… is a journalist and Director of Aberdeen Geophysical Services Limited, a company formed at the end of August this year.

Swans_1_9_may_04_Torry

Ms Okere seems to have been involved in many interesting, worthwhile activities and charities. When it comes to the harbour issue, could she possibly have an interest? Perhaps this is just a ‘happy’ coincidence for Aberdeen Citizen’s reporter, but surely one journalist would identify themselves if another journalist approached them for an interview?

Surely it is relevant for the reader to know the happy camper in question is one.

Aberdeen Geophysical Services Limited does not list the nature of its work on its Companies House listing; but from further internet searches, it would seem this company is involved in marine geophysical services:  perhaps building in Nigg Bay would be a very happy opportunity for them?

Ms Okere describes herself on Linked In as :-

“I am a focused, self-motivated and determined information and communications professional with more than four years experience. I have been instrumental in the formulation and revision of internal and external communication strategies which have yielded excellent results.

“I have also played an active role in sourcing and contacting potential partners and donors which were key in the success of specific programme areas. Am an excellent and insightful communicator, with experience working in multi-cultural environments and clients of various calibres.”
http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/tinotenda-okere/61/651/8b4

It seems fair to wonder, given her communication and strategy skills, coupled with her business venture, whether she may have an interest in the project going ahead. It is a pity the Aberdeen Citizen article didn’t find time to mention any of this, which undoubtedly its reporter would have learnt as part of her thorough interview at the time.

Alan Reid – maybe not so happy after all? The Citizen quotes Alan as being very pleased by the proposal:

“If it is going to get people jobs and bring money into the area, then it is a good thing.  Creating jobs in this day and age is the most important thing…. [it is] vital the development preserved the heritage and history of the area… I hope people still have access to the recreational facilities in the area.

“People should still be able to go out and have picnics by the burn for example. Nothing should be blocked off by gates or security.” – Alan Reid quote, Aberdeen Citizen 23rd October 2014

Alan later advised that he was questioned at the Union Square public display. From his quotes it seems he hasn’t had time to digest everything fully as there will be fenced off areas, it is not just a question of a bit of jetty jutting into the Bay. Aberdeen is not at a loss for either jobs or money and compared to many other parts of the UK is quite strong.

torry thistles aug 04The harbour will be made deeper, with inevitable consequences for marine life. Further areas of land are wanted, the Bay itself will be out of bounds for people, and the whole coast will be lost for wildlife and recreation. Two Sites of Special Scientific interest (SSSIs) will be compromised. The presentation booklet tells you some of this, but it does not tell you about the SSSIs and wildlife does not get much attention.

Alan can be forgiven for not digesting the issues on the spot.

Here is what Alan wrote when asked about his position on a Facebook thread:-

“.. as far as I know the bit at the bottom of St Fitticks Road is the area where they will jut out into the sea to the south of that on the Cove Road will be widened much about the same along Greyhope Road. The back bit where the church and burn runs should be okay I know what you’re saying and I agree but when the wheels start rolling the decisions are made.

“You know how the council are, look what happened to the Victoria Road school project once they make up their mind we don’t count. We need to vote these lot out, they don’t care about Torry” – Facebook 24 October

So as well-intentioned as Mr Reid is towards Torry, this statement is hardly a rolling endorsement from a ‘happy’ resident.

The Citizen could have asked him whether or not he had read all the materials; they could also have looked on Facebook where they will find some in favour, and many people against the plans. Here are some recent Facebook quotes; ‘happiness’ is not exactly the word that best sums these feelings up:

“I did notice at last week’s meeting the Harbour guy said that the ‘majority’ of Torry people were ‘happy’ with the plans for the harbour & the work it would promote. There was no mention of the beach, coastline, wildlife or the increase in road traffic unfortunately.  Does this mean the majority of the Torry people are unaware of these issues? [quite possibly]

“Me [sic] personally thinks it would be a great benefit for the city!  Nobody really uses that beach anymore anyway”

“I read the same article In the Evening Express. In my opinion I think the expansion would be a disaster to the beautiful scenery away from the bustle of the harbour. We don’t have a lot of natural scenery left and we should preserve/improve on what we have. But in all honesty I don’t think it will matter to the city of our views as Aberdeen has and always will be driven by money…”

“No one cared what Torriers thought of closing a school or demolishing a landmark, this will be no different, it will come down to whose pockets are lined the thickest.”

“The Torry beach is always full of people at the first hint of sunshine!”

“You don’t need to be up a mountain to enjoy the view of the mountain just as you don’t need to sit on the beach to enjoy the scenery. I think it will be a sad day for the city when they destroy this natural Bay Area.”

“They need to sort at god awful stench if they want to entice cruise ships tho! I remember the days of the ice cream shop at the Bay, picking Buckies, camping there etc Harbour Board have spent millions already on this new project, so this ‘Consulting’ with local residents is utter nonsense!!”

Maybe it was the case that the Aberdeen Citizen interviewed scores of people, all of whom were happy. This happiness is clearly not universal.

In due course plans will be lodged that the public can object to. There seems to be no shortage of grounds to do so.

It should be noted the Harbour Board are regularly attending Torry Community Council meetings to update the council on developments: this is all well and good, but since these updates are made by those who want to take over Nigg Bay and several other swathes of land, let’s hope Torry Community Council is actively seeking representatives to update the council on the other side of the coin.

  • No doubt SEPA, with offices on the coastline in question, will raise all the environmental objections and take an active part in protecting Torry’s built (lighthouse) and natural (bay, land, wildlife, landscape) heritage from pollution and industrialisation. We will see.Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.
Oct 312014
 

Tools WALTWith thanks to Jennifer Kelly.

Jennie Martin, founder and executive director of Moray charity Wild things!, has been nominated for an environmental award in The Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Awards 2014 – a unique scheme that recognises and rewards the contributions of extraordinary people working in Scotland.

Jennie, an ethnobotanist by training, has worked with great passion and commitment over the past 12 years to develop the work of Wild things!.

The environmental education charity provides unique and inspiring outdoor experiences for people of all ages regardless of emotional, physical or financial barriers.

Based on the Moray Coast, it successfully delivers quality outdoor learning experiences that encourage a greater custodianship of the outdoors, as well as opportunities for life-changing personal development. Over the years, approximately 10,000 individuals have benefited from the programmes, opening their eyes to the wonders on their doorstep or to remote wilderness regions of Scotland.

Jennie Martin comments:

“It’s a great honour to be put forward for this prestigious award and one that I share with all my colleagues at Wild things!. It’s such a privilege to do the work we do, to see the changes in our clients and the benefits to the environment; all of which come about through our programmes. A very special thank you to the mystery person who put us forward for this award!”

Receiving a Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Award is now one of the country’s most sought-after tributes – made all the more important because the final winners are selected by the people of Scotland. Please show your support for Wild things! by heading to http://www.glenfiddich.com/uk/explore/spirit-of-scotland/ and placing your vote.

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Oct 312014
 

ARR Craib Transport Ltd sponsors takes key messages on economy and green transport on the roads. With thanks to Eoin Smith, Tricker PR.

20140929_Branded_Trailers_012A north east haulage firm is taking key messages about the region’s economy and sustainable transport on the road – quite literally. ARR Craib Transport Ltd has sponsored branded trailers for the Aberdeen City & Shire Economic Future and Nestrans, allowing the groups to raise their profile with local communities and road users.

The curtain-siders, which carry key messages about the aims and objectives of each group, will be used by ARR Craib across all UK long-distance routes.

The ACSEF trailer carries the strapline ‘Driving economic development in Aberdeen City & Shire’ while the Nestrans trailer focuses on the Getabout car sharing scheme.

ARR Craib chief executive officer Eddie Anderson, who is on the board of both ACSEF and Nestrans, says the company feels passionately about strengthening the region’s economy and helping to ease congestion on the roads.

“An efficient transport network helps businesses to grow and attracts investment into an area, so the aims of these two groups go hand-in-hand,” says Mr Anderson.

“Our vehicles travel the length and breadth of the UK, and we hope that the ACSEF trailer will help raise awareness of the region and the opportunities that it presents for businesses.

“More locally, we want the Getabout trailer to communicate key messages about the benefits of car sharing to both the environment and people’s own finances, and of course the benefits to everyone of having less cars on our congested roads.

“As a company, we always try to maximise our operations by taking as many different loads as we can on one route to avoid unnecessary journeys, so car sharing with two or more people travelling together on the same journey makes perfect sense.”

ARR Craib has previously won awards for its approach to developing a clean and green fleet and reducing its carbon footprint.

Colin Crosby, ACSEF chairman says:

“A big thank you to ACSEF’s board member Eddie Anderson and ARR Craib for this generous offer. It’s a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of ACSEF within the City & Shire and throughout Scotland. Working together with the private sector to help raise the profile of the north east is vital for the ongoing economic success of the region.”

Nestrans Chair, Councillor Peter Argyle, adds:

“We really appreciate the kind offer from ARR Craib to use this eye-catching platform to promote some of our key messages. Getabout is a major project for Nestrans with the aim of encouraging healthy and sustainable transport choices for everybody within Aberdeen City & Shire. We hope this will also raise awareness and attract new members to our CarShare initiative in the north-east.”

ARR Craib Transport Ltd provides transport and logistics services within the local, radial, UK and international transport markets. The company operates more than 300 vehicles and 500 trailers controlled from bases and distribution hubs at Aberdeen, Cumbernauld and Eaglescliffe. It employs around 400 people.

Services include rail freight and rail terminal management, warehousing, material handling, facilities management and manpower provision. More information can be found at www.arr-craib.co.uk

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Oct 282014
 

Beach clean weekend highlights damaging effect of plastic bags on the environment. With thanks to Paul Robertson.

MP Macduff Beach Clean2Member of Parliament for Banff and Buchan, Dr Eilidh Whiteford, joined environmental campaigners on a beach clean of High Shore in Macduff on Saturday 18 October as a new Scottish Government scheme on reducing bag use came into effect.

From 20 October, shoppers have been facing a 5p minimum charge for use of a bag in a scheme that is designed to reduce use of bags and protect the environment.

Around 750 million bags are used in Scotland every year.

Eilidh Whiteford joined the ‘Surfers Against Sewage’ group as they launched a beach clean at High Shore, Macduff, commenting:

“Carrier bags are a highly visible aspect of litter, and that has become clear in today’s beach clean.  By reducing the amount being carelessly discarded we can cut litter and its impact on our environment and economy. A small charge should also encourage us all to stop and think about what we discard and what can be re-used.”

“We have seen elsewhere that carrier bag charging has been effective in encouraging people to reuse bags. This charge is not a tax but will see retailers donating the proceeds to charity – this could be up to £5 million per year after retailers have covered their costs.”

“Thousands of Scottish people already use bags for life and some retailers already charge. It is now time, however, for a national effort.”

The Surfers Against Sewage campaign weekend concluded with a clean-up of Banff Links.

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Oct 242014
 

AberdeenforwardThmWith thanks to Angela Theobold.

Environmental charity Aberdeen Forward are hosting a range of workshops and courses over the coming months.
Aberdeen Forward works closely with local communities, businesses and individuals to educate and promote projects that help to protect our environment, reduce waste & encourage sustainability.

Available courses are as follows.

Plant ideas workshop:

We are pleased to offer this plant ideas (http://www.plantideas.org/) workshop which teaches how to make the most of plants in various useful ways. Here is the format of the classes:

  • Skincare: 25th Oct, 11-13:00 at Aberdeen Forward building
  • Herbal First Aid: 22nd Nov 11-13:00 at Aberdeen Forward building
  • Tea Tasting: 6th Dec 11-13:00 at Aberdeen Forward building
  • Personal Hygiene: 24th Jan 11-13:00 at Aberdeen Forward building
  • Household: 21st Feb 11-13:00 at Aberdeen Forward building
  • Herb Walk: 21st Mar 11-13:00 Location to be announced
  • Wild Food: 25th Apr 11-13:00 Location to be announced
    £35 per class, if you book and pay for all seven in one go, you get the last one free.

Beginners Knitting: Wednesday 5th, 12th, 19th November 2014 6pm-8pm, £60

Green Wood working course: with Green Aspirations (http://www.greenaspirationsscotland.co.uk/), Saturday 22nd November, 10am-4pm (start 9:30 for tea and coffee). To be held at Scotland’s Rural College, Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, AB21 9YA, £45

Christmas Wreath Making: Monday 1st December, 6:30-8:30pm, £35.00

Beginners Crocheting course: Wednesday 3rd, 10th, 17th December 2014, 6pm-8pm, £60

Christmas Jumper making: Monday 8th December, 6:30-8:30pm, £30.00

Candle Making course: Saturday 13th December, 10am-12pm, £35

Booking: To book or find out more please contact courses@aberdeenforward.org or 01224560360.

Venue Unless otherwise stated, the venue is: Aberdeen Forward, 2 Poynernook Road, Aberdeen, AB11 5RW

For more information, go to: http://www.aberdeenforward.org/workshops

Oct 172014
 
IMG_5015_Athnamulloch_Bothy

Conservation volunteers at Athnamulloch Bothy in Glen Affric (courtesy Trees for Life)

With thanks to Richard Bunting.

Plans to protect and restore one of Scotland’s most iconic and beautiful glens – alongside wildlife such as golden eagles, Scottish wildcats and red squirrels – received a double boost last week when charity Trees for Life won funding of almost £80,000 for new forest conservation projects in Glen Affric near Loch Ness.

The initiatives will involve the planting of 20,000 trees, opportunities for hundreds of people from diverse backgrounds to gain health benefits and conservation training, and the creation of an eco-friendly wilderness base at a remote mountain bothy.

Shona Robison – Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games and Sport – announced on Thursday 9 October that Trees for Life will receive £60,000 from the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund towards the renovation of the Athnamulloch Bothy, which lies to the west of Loch Affric on the National Forest Estate.

The news came just three days after Trees for Life’s Glen Affric Landscape Project secured almost £20,000 from the prestigious European Outdoor Conservation Association, following an online public vote in which more than 4,200 people voted for the conservation charity.

“Securing two major funding awards within a week for our conservation initiatives is fantastic news for the ancient Caledonian Forest and its rare species, many of which are staring extinction in the face – and for the hundreds of people who will directly benefit from these reforestation projects,” said Alan Watson Featherstone, Trees for Life’s Executive Director.

In partnership with Forestry Commission Scotland, Trees for Life’s Athnamulloch Bothy Renovation Project aims to renovate this derelict mountain bothy, creating a warm, weather-tight and eco-friendly wilderness base.

Trees for Life has secured a 25-year lease of the building – located far from normal services – which will be completely refurbished and equipped with ecologically-sound solutions for the on-site provision of water supply, energy and sewerage.

The Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund grant – part of the Scottish Government’s Commonwealth Games Legacy 2014 programme and administered by sportScotland – will cover almost half of the bothy renovation costs. Trees for Life plans to raise funds for the remaining costs through a public appeal and further grants. Those wishing to donate to the project are invited to visit www.treesforlife.org.uk.

Following its success in the European Outdoor Conservation Association awards, Trees for Life’s Glen Affric Landscape Project will see the charity working in partnership with Forestry Commission Scotland – which manages the Glen Affric National Nature Reserve – to enhance and extend the glen’s native Caledonian pinewood and conserve its rare forest-dependent wildlife through activities including the planting of 20,000 trees, removal of non-native trees and plants, and restoration of habitats.

The Caledonian Forest in Glen Affric supports over 1,000 animal species. The pinewoods in the glen’s eastern reaches are one of the largest surviving core areas of native pinewood continuing to benefit from conservation management, but more action is needed for this native woodland to expand westwards.

“Our sincere thanks go to everyone who voted for us in the European Outdoor Conservation Association awards, and to Northshots Photography for nominating us. The award is wonderful news for one of Scotland’s finest wilderness forests, and it will ensure further practical action takes place to reverse centuries of forest loss in the Highlands,” said Alan Watson Featherstone.

These new projects are key elements in an expansion of Trees for Life’s work of rewilding and will create opportunities for hundreds of people from diverse backgrounds – including those from deprived situations or facing challenges to their health, as well as outdoors enthusiasts, local people and community groups – to take part in green exercise and physically active recreation.

The announcements came during a week in which Alan Watson Featherstone and author George Monbiot highlighted the potential benefits of rewilding – the large-scale restoration of damaged natural ecosystems – at a meeting with MSPs at the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday, followed by a lecture on the subject to a full house of almost 500 people at the University of Edinburgh.

Trees for Life is restoring the Caledonian Forest, which once covered much of the Scottish Highlands but has been reduced to a fraction of its former range by centuries of deforestation. Many forest remnants consist of old and dying trees, with grazing pressure by red deer preventing the growth of young trees. Remaining forests, such as in Glen Affric, are amongst our most fragile and endangered habitats.

The charity has pledged to establish one million more trees by planting and natural regeneration by 2018, and is marking its 25th anniversary this year with expanded opportunities for volunteers. See www.treesforlife.org.uk or call 0845 458 3505.

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Oct 102014
 
Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in winter birch forest, Norway (c).

Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in winter birch forest, Norway © Peter Cairns www.northshots.com

With thanks to Richard Bunting. 

The return of predators, such as the lynx and wolf , were in the spotlight at a topical lecture featuring acclaimed writer George Monbiot and award-winning conservationist Alan Watson Featherstone of Trees for Life, in Edinburgh on Wednesday
With enthusiasm for ‘rewilding’ spreading quickly in the UK, the Rewilding the World event highlighted the significant benefits that this could bring to Scotland.

George Monbiot said:

“Rewilding offers us a big chance to reverse destruction of the natural world. Letting trees return to bare and barren uplands, allowing the seabed to recover from trawling, and bringing back missing species would help hundreds of species that might otherwise struggle to survive – while rekindling wonder and enchantment that often seems missing in modern-day Britain.”

Alan Watson Featherstone, Trees for Life’s Executive Director, said:

“Rewilding offers an exciting vision of hope, through the positive and practical work of renewing and revitalising ecosystems. In the Highlands we have the opportunity to reverse environmental degradation and create a spectacular, world-class wilderness region – offering a lifeline to wildlife including beavers, capercaillie, wood ants and pine martens, and restoring natural forests and wild spaces for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.”

The latest thinking on rewilding – including recent and remarkable scientific discoveries – has been captured in George Monbiot’s highly-praised and gripping book, Feral, that lays out a positive environmental approach in which Nature is allowed to find its own way.

Today few areas of the world are truly wild and Scotland is no exception. Long-term deforestation and overgrazing by too many deer and sheep has left the land depleted and barren, with much wildlife in retreat or missing altogether. The Caledonian Forest – Scotland’s equivalent of a rainforest – is now one of the UK’s most endangered habitats, with many of its rare species in danger of extinction.

Yet action across Scotland in recent years has offered signs of what could be achieved by restoring natural processes and protecting wilderness areas, and by reducing human interference in ecosystems.

In the Highlands considerable efforts to restore and expand native forests have led to the establishment of a new generation of trees – and their associated plants, insects and other wildlife – at many sites. High-profile successes include the re-establishment of healthy populations of birds of prey such as the sea eagle, osprey and red kite, and the trial reintroduction of European beavers at Knapdale in Argyll.

George Monbiot and Alan Watson Featherstone argue that far more needs to be done however, and advocate a more ambitious approach to bring wide-ranging benefits to wildlife and people, while putting Scotland on the map as a wildlife tourism global hotspot.

Scotland is also ideally placed to be a world leader in an international drive to slow, halt and reverse global forest loss. In a major announcement at the UN Climate Summit in late September, world leaders, companies and campaigners pledged in the New York Declaration of Forests to restore 150 million hectares of degraded landscapes and forests by 2020 and end deforestation by 2030.

Future rewilding could involve the reinstatement of missing species, including apex predators such as the Eurasian lynx and even the wolf, both of which play a crucial top-down regulatory role in ecosystems.

While the reintroduction of predators is often proposed as a means of reducing excessive numbers of red deer in the Highlands, its main impact would likely be in disturbing deer populations, causing these animals to move more frequently so that their grazing is less concentrated in specific areas.

The lynx – already reintroduced to areas of Europe such as the Alps and Jura mountains – offers little threat to sheep. It is a specialist predator of roe deer, a species which has multiplied in Britain in recent years and which holds back the natural regeneration of trees through intensive browsing.

Leading volunteering conservation charity Trees for Life is restoring Scotland’s ancient Caledonian Forest, and has pledged to establish one million more trees by planting and natural regeneration by 2018. To mark its 25th anniversary this year, it is offering expanded opportunities for volunteers to support its work and gain conservation experience.

The Rewilding the World event was organised by the University of Edinburgh’s Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability as part of Edinburgh World Justice Festival.

George Monbiot – well known author and columnist for The Guardian – is currently setting up an organisation to catalyse the rewilding of land and sea across Britain. See www.monbiot.com.

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Sep 262014
 

MartinFordatUTGWith thanks to Cllr Martin Ford.

The local Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire branch of the Scottish Green Party has doubled in size in just a few days following last week’s independence referendum.

Nationally, the Scottish Green Party has seen a rise in membership of over 3,800, again more than doubling the total number of party members.

So far, the Aberdeenshire Green Party branch has gained over 140 new members – with more still joining every day.

John McCallum, convenor of the Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Green Party branch, said:

“The independence referendum truly energised politics in Scotland, bringing unprecedented levels of debate, engagement and voter turnout.

“‘Green Yes’, the Scottish Green Party’s distinctive vision of Scotland’s potential, meanwhile rang a bell with a great many new supporters, both Yes- and No-voters. They now see our Party as the best prospect of delivering the social, economic and environmental change they want to see in Scotland.

“I am delighted to be welcoming so many new Green Party members to our local branch. The huge boost to our membership will stand the Party in good stead in the elections to come. We can confidently look forward to fielding more candidates, running stronger campaigns and seeing more Greens elected over the next few years.”

Aberdeenshire Green councillor Martin Ford said:

“An increase in membership on this scale will transform the Party’s capacity to put its case for a fairer society based on the sustainable use of natural resources – and its capacity to fight and win elections.

“The priorities the Party highlighted during the referendum are applicable to either outcome. The difference for us now is that we will have many more members contributing to getting our message across.”

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Sep 262014
 

Hopes of protecting and restoring a magnificent Highland glen and its rare wildlife – including golden eagles, red squirrels and Scottish wildcats – have received a major boost after conservation charity Trees for Life was named as finalist for a major European funding project, with the winner to be chosen after an online public vote. With thanks to Richard Bunting.

small Loch Affric TFL featThe charity’s Glen Affric Landscape Project is in the running to secure almost £20,000 in the European Outdoor Conservation Association’s ‘Outdoor’ funding scheme, with online voting taking place over two weeks until Monday 6 October. Trees for Life can be supported via www.treesforlife.org.uk/voteTFL.

The Trees for Life project will also create opportunities for outdoor activity and hill walking groups, local people and those from disadvantaged backgrounds to take part in practical action to help reverse the loss of native woodlands and rare wildlife in the Highlands.

Alan Watson Featherstone, Trees for Life’s Executive Director commented:

“We are asking people to vote for us and help make the most of this opportunity to protect one of Scotland’s finest wilderness forests. Glen Affric has been described as the most beautiful glen in Scotland, and this is a golden opportunity to help conserve its wildlife and wild places, and to reverse centuries of forest loss”

The Caledonian Forest at Glen Affric supports over 1,000 animal species. The pinewoods in the glen’s eastern reaches represent the largest surviving core area of native pinewood which continues to benefit from conservation management. But there is still much work to do to encourage this native woodland to expand westwards and this project will make a big contribution to achieving this.

Working in partnership with Forestry Commission Scotland, which manages the Glen Affric National Nature Reserve, Trees for Life aims to enhance and extend the iconic glen’s native Caledonian pinewood and conserve its rare forest-dependent wildlife through a range of activities, including the planting of 20,000 trees as well as endangered plants. Non-native trees and plants will be removed and habitats restored.

Key to this will be hands-on forest restoration training and volunteering opportunities for hundreds of people through forest skills courses, volunteer restoration days and conservation weeks.

Guided walks and leaflets will allow hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts to learn more about the Caledonian Forest and how to help conserve Scotland’s threatened habitats and species.

The project also aims to boost the local and Highland economy through a growth in visitors for nature-based tourism, hill walking and outdoor and adventure pursuits. It will lay the foundations for a longer-term initiative to create a forest habitat corridor from Loch Affric to Scotland’s west coast – leaving a lasting legacy of an expanded forest landscape and increased wildlife, transforming the experiences of outdoor users in the Highlands for future generations.

The Caledonian Forest supports a unique range of species. Once covering much of the Scottish Highlands, centuries of deforestation have reduced the forest to a fraction of its former range. Many forest remnants consist of old and dying trees, with grazing pressure by red deer preventing the growth of young trees. The remaining forests, such as in Glen Affric, are amongst our most fragile and endangered habitats.

Trees for Life is a leading conservation volunteering charity that has planted more than one million trees at dozens of sites in the Highlands. It has pledged to establish one million more trees by planting and natural regeneration by 2018, and this year is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

The charity was kindly nominated for the European Outdoor Conservation Association funding award by Northshots Photography.

For more details about how to vote, please see www.treesforlife.org.uk/voteTFL or call 0845 458 3505.

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Sep 252014
 

Aberdeen-forward2With thanks to Elaine Murray.

Environmental charity, Aberdeen Forward, is once again welcoming the Aberdeen community to their Very Big Festive Giveaway Day on Saturday 27th September between 10am and 2pm.

As usual at the Giveaway, Aberdeen Forward will offer community groups, schools, businesses and individual’s free access to stationery, arts & craft resources and even toys.

This year there will be a special Halloween theme!

But the event does not just end there – we will have several stalls selling local-based goodies, and even some complimentary pumpkin soup for visitors on arrival. There will also be raffle (tickets £1 available now) with a range of excellent prizes from a range of local businesses worth more than £200.

As if all of this was not enough, Aberdeen Forward are providing a Halloween-themed pumpkin carving class and a jewellery-making class free of charge for visitors to the event. Attendees will also have the opportunity to attend talks on Zero Waste throughout the morning, to find out what they can do with the waste likely to be generated from the Halloween period.

Entry to the Big Giveaway Day is £3.00 for adults, children under 16 are free. The Giveaway days are at our premises at 2 Poynernook Road. No need to book and please bring as many friends and family members as you like!

There is no need to let anyone know you are coming, just pop along and enjoy this great community day.

The Giveaway day takes place at Aberdeen Forward, 2 Poynernook Road, AB11 5RW.  For more details phone 01224 560360, email courses@aberdeenforward.org or visit www.facebook.com/aberdeenforward