News
Junior Rangers are Go!
28th July 2008
Countryside rangers from across Europe are enjoying thrills, spills and splashes in Cairngorms National Park during their first ever UK gathering.Scottish youngsters are joining forces with international counterparts to share ideas on protecting the world's natural treasures during a week long camp at scenic Glen Tanar on Deeside.
Canoeing, hillwalking, ceilidhs and campfires are among the activities taking place at the EUROPARC Junior Ranger Camp, hosted by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) and Scottish Countryside Rangers Association.
Junior rangers were welcomed by Moray MP Angus Robertson and CNPA convener David Green, who joined them on a canoeing adventure on the River Dee at Aboyne.
Mr Robertson, the Scottish National Party's leader in Westminster, said he was keen to meet the park rangers of the future to find out first hand about the camp and work they were involved in.
He added: "Scotland boasts some of the world's most stunning landscapes. Protecting special places, promoting understanding of them and enabling people to live and prosper in such areas is crucial.
"It's great that young people from a broad range of social backgrounds from all over Scotland and Europe are getting together to learn from each other, forge friendships and, above, all have fun.
"In Scotland rangers care for our environment, help people get out to make the most of the outdoors and encourage people to learn about their natural and cultural heritage. They play a key role in supporting local businesses and boosting tourism in rural communities."
David Green, convener of Cairngorms National Park Authority added: "More than 40 rangers and junior rangers are taking part in the week-long celebration. We are delighted Cairngorms National Park is able to play a part in the development of this up and coming talent.
"Helping people understand and enjoy landscapes lies at the heart of rangers' work; these youngsters and many more like them will have a direct impact on future links between people and place."
EUROPARC is the umbrella organisation of Europe's protected areas, uniting national parks, regional parks, nature parks and reserves in 38 countries, with the common aim of protecting Europe's unique variety of wildlife, habitats and landscapes.
The camp coincides with National Parks Week, a celebration of the UK's 14 National parks. Thursday 31 July is also International Ranger Day.
The ranger camp will be based at Glen Tanar from Saturday 26 August to Sunday 3 August with activities taking place across the Park.
Carbon Footprints in Farming - Stay ahead of the game!
23rd July 2008
Cutting greenhouse gas emissions on farms is the topic in the spotlight and subject of a special seminar in Strathdon on Tuesday evening (29 July).The concept of 'carbon footprints' will be explained and business opportunities explored during the informal event, aimed at farmers and landowners, at the Lonach Hall at 7pm.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) and Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS) Ltd have just completed a partnership project involving audits of 16 farms and local food producers within the park. They have produced a guide for famers on how to estimate and reduce carbon footprints and cut sources of greenhouse gases as part of business decision making.
"Some form of carbon accounting for farms seems inevitable in the future," explained SAOS project manager Jim Booth. "This is your chance to stay ahead of developments, find out what is involved and explore business opportunities."
A second seminar will be held in the Community Hall in Boat of Garten on Tuesday 5 August.
Copies of the free Farmers' Guide are available from the CNPA office at 14 The Square, Grantown on Spey, Moray, PH26 3HG, e-mail: enquiries@cairngorms.co.uk Tel: 01479 873535
Arctic visitors learn from Cairngorms National Park
30th June 2008
A group of officials from north Norway's Troms County visited the Cairngorms National Park earlier this week (23-25 June) to find out more about how the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) and other agencies operating in the area are dealing with difficult issues, such as the creation of new national parks, renewable energy developments and ways of dealing with conflict between different interest groups.Troms County - which covers an area of land extending to 25,147 sq km and is home to 153,000 residents - is currently dealing with the establishment of a new national park (Norway already has over 30 national parks), several landscape protection areas and major wind farm developments. The region and its capital Tromso is also preparing an ambitious bid to host the Winter Olympics in 2018 and if successful, it would be the first time that the event has been held inside the Arctic Circle.
The group, which included the Regional State Governor for Troms County and the Director of the Norwegian national nature conservation agency, were keen to learn more about community engagement in Scotland's national parks and especially across a wide variety of groups; the management of areas of high conservation value and how any conflicts are dealt with in these areas. They have also been looking at how Scotland - and national parks in particular - approach renewable energy projects.
Duncan Bryden, CNPA planning committee convener guided the group during their short visit, which started in Aberdeenshire. He said: "There is a move in Norway to listen more to the voice of local people when declaring protected areas. Scotland is seen as a pioneer in this type of engagement."
The visit marks a return trip for senior officials from Troms County. In 2007 a larger group spent a week in Scotland looking at waste water treatment, national parks, sporting estates and fish farming. The group met with representatives from the CNPA, Scottish Natural Heritage and Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
Before leaving, Svein Ludvigsen, Regional State Governor of Troms County explained why they returned to the Cairngorms: "We want to learn how to best protect the natural landscape and still allow people to use the land. Your national park approach allows this to happen."
During their 3-day stay, the group also visited Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and met with officials from the Scottish Government and the chairman of the John Muir Trust, Dick Balharry, who is based in Newtonmore.
Rural Funding in the Cairngorms National Park - Get along to one of these Roadshows!
23rd June 2008
Rural funding in Scotland has changed and to keep land managers, rural businesses and organisations and communities up to date with what is available and how to go about applying for funds, the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) has organised a series of information roadshows across the National Park in July.
The Scottish Government's £1.6billion Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) for 2007-2013 represents a significant shift in how rural funding is delivered. The fund provides the framework to deliver European and Scottish Government funding promoting social, economic and environmental benefits across rural Scotland.
Funding is being delivered through a range of measures including the European funded LEADER programme, which is managed locally by the Cairngorms Local Action Group and is aimed at community driven enterprises that are innovative in nature, will enhance the local area and help economic development. For land managers and other rural businesses in the Cairngorms National Park, SRDP's 'Rural Development Contracts - Rural Priorities' is likely to be a key funding source with a focus on climate change, biodiversity and landscape and improving water quality.
Working with partners, the CNPA has organised a series of rural funding roadshows in a bid to demystify the SRDP with information on what types of projects are likely to attract funding, who is eligible to apply and the application process. There will also be hints and tips on how to submit a good application.
To find out more please go along to one of the events taking place next month:
- Tuesday 1 July: Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore
- Thursday 3 July: Village Hall, Newtonmore
- Tuesday 8 July: Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown-on-Spey
- Thursday 10 July: Richmond Hotel, Tomintoul
- Tuesday 15 July: Lonach Hall, Strathdon
- Thursday 17 July: George Beaton Room, Victoria & Albert Halls, Ballater
- Tuesday 22 July: Newton Hotel, Kirriemuir
All of the events are free and take place from 7-9pm.
CNPA board member Eleanor Mackintosh said: "The Scotland Rural Development Programme has the potential to contribute to the vision set out in the Cairngorms National Park Plan and help us all to meet the aims of the Cairngorms National Park. As such, it is important that the CNPA and our partners are able to help people identify good quality projects that help to meet those objectives and to ensure that everyone is making the most of the programme from the start."
For more information on the SRDP in the Cairngorms National Park tel: 01479 870512 / email: ruralfunding@cairngorms.co.uk
To register your interest in attending any of the events please contact Kate Christie or Sam Masson on tel: 01479 870535/537 or email: katechristie@cairngorms.co.uk / sammasson@cairngorms.co.uk
Rural Funding in the Cairngorms National Park - Help is at hand!
17th June 2008
A new service aimed at helping land managers, rural businesses and communities make the most of the new Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) as well as help contribute to the vision set out in the Cairngorms National Park Plan has been launched by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA).The aim of the service is to ensure that all those eligible to apply to the SRDP are aware of this national programme - which represents a significant shift in how rural funding is delivered throughout Scotland - and how to make the most of it. In addition to the information and advice available from the Scottish Government, the CNPA, with partners, is embarking on a programme of further promotion of the SRDP in a bid to encourage a whole host of good quality applications that will help protect and enhance the Cairngorms National Park for generations to come.
The £1.6billion SRDP for 2007-2013 provides the framework to deliver European and Scottish Government funding promoting social, economic and environmental benefits across rural Scotland.
Funding is being delivered through a range of measures including the European funded LEADER programme, which is managed locally by the Cairngorms Local Action Group and is aimed at community driven enterprises that are innovative in nature, will enhance the local area and help economic development. For land managers and other rural businesses in the Cairngorms National Park, SRDP's Rural Development Contracts - Rural Priorities' is likely to be a key funding source.
As part of the CNPA's work with partners to promote SRDP to land managers in the Park, two dedicated land management support officers have been employed to help identify potential projects and encourage good quality applications to the programme from across the Park.
Zoë Taylor and Gordon McConachie have been employed by the CNPA for a period of two years to help get the SRDP in the Cairngorms National Park off to a good start. They will be working with land managers and others to identify projects which will help to deliver many of the actions contained within the Cairngorms National Park Plan as well as meet the Rural Priorities set out for the three regions in the Park (Highland, Tayside and Grampian).
Applications to 'Rural Development Contracts - Rural Priorities' are being asked to deliver benefits for the people of Scotland such as habitat improvements or improved outdoor access. In many cases projects will involve a variety of land managers or owners coming together to deliver these projects - or benefits - on a landscape scale. However, it's not just land managers that can apply, rural businesses, community groups and some other organisations will also meet the criteria for applying to 'Rural Development Contracts - Rural Priorities' for funding support.
In addition to the support being offered by Zoë and Gordon, a series of information roadshows are taking place in and around the Park in July (see local press for details); the CNPA has produced a leaflet with specific information on the SRDP in the Park and further news and information about the programme will also be available via an electronic newsletter (details on how to subscribe to this service coming soon).
Alastair MacLennan, CNPA board member said: "Land managers, rural organisations and communities have a crucial role to play in helping to deliver the actions in the National Park Plan and protect and enhance the special qualities of the area. SRDP is a new approach to delivering funding support for rural Scotland so it is important that the Park Authority can help land managers and others negotiate the Scotland Rural Development Programme effectively. That way the very best can be made of the programme from the start with lasting benefits for everyone."
For more information or to receive a leaflet about SRDP in the Cairngorms National Park contact Zoë or Gordon on tel: 01479 870512 or email: ruralfunding@cairngorms.co.uk For more information about LEADER contact Patricia Methven on tel: 01479 870515 or email: patriciamethven@cairngorms.co.uk
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