SNH Area News
Tayside and Grampian Correspondents: Annabel Drysdale, Ewen Cameron
Plan success at Forvie
The Reserve Plan for Forvie National Nature Reserve 2006 to 2012 is nearing completion and the last six years have led to some great projects and achievements for the site. Forvie’s visitors and members of the local community contributed many of the suggestions for the plan, such as an improved path network and easy access trail, more information about the historical sites on the reserve and continued support for educational visits. One of the highlights included improving opportunities for volunteering on the NNR, which led to 4000 hours of work by voluntary individuals and groups. Staff met nearly 2000 children and students on educational trips, while visitor numbers increased. The wildlife of the site also benefited from the management plan and 2011 saw record numbers of Arctic terns nesting in the dunes. Although many seabird species have suffered declines in recent years, Forvie offers safe places to nest and advice to people to help reduce inadvertent disturbance. Assistance from the Forvie Panel,
which comprises representatives of local interests, has been invaluable in helping to raise the profile of the NNR. Comments and suggestions for the next plan are welcomed, please email:
Annabel.Drysdale@snh.gov.uk or telephone 01358 751330
www.snh.gov.uk
Citizen Science
A new phrase is appearing, ‘Citizen Science’. Put simply, it’s about the contribution anyone and everyone can make by gathering information which provides a better understanding of our modern world. You don’t need to be a professional scientist – you just observe, record and share your records. Most mobile phones have a built in camera; so many people already have a way of recording. We depend on nature and natural processes for food, clean water and much more. We need to understand relationships between thousands of species, their environment and, of course, people. Changes in nature can give early warning of potential new hazards — just like the traditional coalminer’s canary.
In the face of the big environmental
challenges Scotland faces, many people feel powerless to do anything. Citizen Science provides a way in which many small contributions can be brought together to have a big benefit. Wildlife recording is valuable, can make a big difference, and just as importantly — it’s fun!! Local Biodiversity Partnerships
in Tayside and Grampian can help you get started. Go to their websites and find out how to get involved at
www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk and
www.nesbiodiversity.org.uk
45
Community travel grant
Children First in Fraserburgh recently enjoyed a trip to the marine aquarium in Macduff using our Community Travel Grant. Tracey Duthie of Children First said:
“We had a fantastic time; it was well worth it. I can’t thank you enough.” The grant aims to help community
and voluntary groups travel to a local site where there are facilities and/or opportunities for enjoying the natural heritage. Having enjoyed this ‘taster’ of what the outdoors can offer, they can then go on to explore and enjoy the outdoors from home. This grant is explicitly targeted at groups which support people with special needs or groups which are frequently excluded from enjoying the natural heritage and the outdoors that most of us take for granted. The grant is operated for SNH by the Buchan Countryside Group –
www.outdoors4all.org.uk/ctg.html and it can fund up to half the travel costs (e.g. bus hire).
Community groups in Moray, Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, and the Cairngorm National Park are eligible to apply.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68