Clean Sweep for Six Park Communities Awarded Green Recovery Fund Support

Six communities from within the Cairngorms National Park have been awarded support as part of a preliminary community award process through the Green Recovery Fund with groups in Killiecrankie, Dalwhinnie, Laggan, Aviemore, Grantown and Braemar each being awarded £500 to purchase equipment for litter picking projects.

The Green Recovery Fund was established to support the recovery of the Cairngorms National Park, its communities and businesses from the impacts of COVID19. The fund, made up of £250,000 from the CNPA and a further £50,000 from the Cairngorms Trust has four guiding principles:

• Green – projects will contribute to strengthening the natural and social capital of the Park
• Cairngorms – projects will be Cairngorms National Park focused and contribute to the outcomes of the National Park Partnership Plan
• Partnership – applicants will work in partnership with others to deliver projects, focused on green recovery, well-being and economic growth
• Employment – Projects will endeavour to maximise their contribution to local employment and impact for the National Park.

Murray Ferguson, Director of Planning and Place at the Cairngorms National Park, said: “We are pleased to support and celebrate these six Park communities and the dedication demonstrated by volunteers in cleaning up their communities.

“Whilst we are still to announce all successful Green Recovery Fund applicants, these communities have been awarded funds as part of a preliminary community award process, given the nature and timing of their projects. We are also looking at how we can support the communities so activity can continue throughout the summer months when littering is at its most problematic.”

The litter picking efforts in these communities takes place during a national campaign by Keep Scotland Beautifulcalled ‘Summer Clean’ which runs from 28 May to 20 June and aims to encourage people to come together to take action in cleaning up litter in communities across Scotland.

Supporting the communities are over 45 Rangers, employed by a range of land managers, who have been deployed across the Park this summer plus 38 volunteer rangers, all coordinated by CNPA.

Pete Crane, Head of Visitor Services at the Cairngorms National Park Authority said: “The family of Cairngorms Ranger Services have a key role to play in supporting the work of communities and partners in offering safe responsible experiences for our visitors. We are very grateful to them and the work they do, particularly in the busy summer months keeping Park places free from litter.”