Forestry Commission Scotland Expands Durris Forest.

Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) has recently acquired grazing land to expand our national forest. The location is at West Brachmont, Durris and the land was purchased from Dunecht Estate. If you would like to see a map of the area access, go to www.friendsofdurrisforests.co.uk/home.html

Action Earth

On Saturday 17^th July FDF volunteers were out in force at Pitcowdens in support of the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Action Earth project.  The event was organised in partnership with FDF, FCS and supported by Community Service Volunteers (CSV).  The enthusiastic volunteers planted wildflower plugs, gathered stones to help create a dry stone dyke and prepared a habitat suitable for native bluebell bulbs.

Supported by Morrisons supermarkets, Pitcowdens was one of 100 projects in Scotland awarded a SNH grant, aimed at encouraging Scottish biodiversity through practical environmental projects.  FDF has purchased 1,500 native bluebell bulbs with their £250 grant, which will be planted on September 17^th as part of Durris Primary School’s Eco-week activities.

The United Nations has declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity.  As part of the year long celebration CSV Action Earth is committed to raising awareness of the importance of protecting our natural resources.  By supporting CSV Action Earth together we will make a real difference.

John Muir Trust Award

FDF members have supported Durris Primary School over the past year, delivering outdoor education in the form of Forest Schools.  They have now decided to tailor the programme slightly differently for the P6 & 7’s by introducing the John Muir Trust Award.  To achieve the Discovery Level the children will need to do a range of activities that involve the following four challenges – discover a wild place, explore it, do something to conserve it and share their experiences.

Techfest

FDF are working in partnership with FCS and Forest Education Initiative (FEI) to help deliver a series of workshops at Techfest, in Aberdeen Beach Leisure Centre, from September 13^th – 19^th 2010.  The theme is ‘Seed Circus as the Climate Changes’.  So come along and take part in the Seed Circus on either Sat 18^th or Sun 19th!  Discover the weird and wonderful ways in which seeds move and whether climate change may put new obstacles in their way.  For further information go to www.techfestsetpoint.org.uk/tis

Forest 4 People Challenge Fund

FDF reported in the last newsletter, that we had submitted a proposal to Forest 4 People (F4P) Challenge Fund. The aim of the project is to deliver a Forest School Programme to 9 Aberdeenshire primary schools over the next 3 years.  Well, good news.... We have successfully been awarded part funding from F4P and we eagerly await news from the second funding body, which hopefully will be at the end of September (fingers crossed).