News Release

Local woodlands get funding boost

25th September 2007

Urban woodland sites in Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City have a received a welcome funding boost from Forestry Commission Scotland, it has been announced.

The sites at Arnhall Moss, in Westhill, and Portlethen Moss have recently benefited from the Forestry Commission Scotland’s ‘Woodlands In and Around Towns’ (WIAT) initiative.

The Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Woods WIAT initiative involves Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council, Forestry Commission Scotland and Aberdeen Countryside Project, working together in partnership.

The WIAT initiative aims to improve accessibility and community engagement in urban woodlands to unlock a range of community benefits such as improved health and well-being.

The project involves engaging with local communities to develop proposals to improve access and management of woods within Aberdeen City and neighbouring communities in Aberdeenshire.

This includes woods owned and managed by Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils and by Forestry Commission Scotland.

Work at Arnhall Moss Local Nature Reserve began in April with litter picking and was followed by a range of work including footpath and bridge repair, clearance of some areas of birch scrub to open up patches of heather and pond restoration.

“There is a very active Management Group for Arnhall Moss who have been involved in looking after the site for many years.

“Now we have secured funding the group will be able to put plans into action for the future management of the site,” said Aberdeenshire Council Environment Planner (Natural Heritage) Fiona Chirnside.

Arnhall Moss Local Nature Reserve is a wooded haven right in the heart of Westhill.

It is accessible to all and offers a range of short walks and nature watching opportunities.

Speaking for the Arnhall Moss Management Group, Andrew Miles, said: “The site is an important green area close to the town and we hope to keep it that way for the future”.

Portlethen Moss, which is also accessible to all, is also due to begin improvement works.

Aberdeenshire Council will carry out the work in partnership with the Portlethen Moss Conservation Group.

Portlethen Moss Conservation Group member, Denise Martin, said: “We are delighted to have this opportunity to carry out footpath and tree planting work on the Moss.

“It is a fantastic natural area of open space and a great resource for the local community.

“The funding will allow us to put in new footpaths, and interpretive signs, remove some gorse and plant some new trees.

“All of which, it is hoped, will encourage more people to visit the Moss and appreciate its natural beauty and its value to the community.”

Aberdeenshire Council Environment Planner (Natural Heritage), Mary Macleod said: “The Forestry Commission Scotland funding has been essential in taking this project forward and will allow us to make great improvements on this special site.”

For more information, visit http://www.portlethen-moss.org.uk

Further details on the WIAT initiative can be found at: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-5w2nfz

Contact: Communications Assistant Tony Mayfield
Tel: (01224) 664611
Fax: (01224) 665204

 

Contact Us

For more information on any press-related matter please email news@aberdeenshire.gov.uk