CEO looks back on 2020!
CEO looks back on 2020!
By Grant Moir, Chief Executive, Cairngorms National Park Authority
When we embarked on 2020 the CNPA’s focus was firmly on what we can do in the Park to combat the climate emergency. However, it was following our climate conference – looking at nature based solutions back in March – that the country was plunged into lockdown due to the rapidly spreading coronavirus pandemic.
As we left the office to work from home, I don’t think many of us thought we would still be working from home some nine months later. Covid-19 has challenged us all personally and professionally but has also shown the best of people across the Park, for instance, volunteers, including Park staff, delivering shopping to those who were shielding.
The Covid pandemic has massively affected communities, businesses and individuals across the Park and we are still seeing the impacts play out. I am proud to say that our staff and board, along with partners such as the Cairngorms Business Partnership (CBP) and The Cairngorms Trust rose to the challenge.
The CNPA agreed a Green Recovery Plan in June and launched with the Cairngorms Trust a Green Recovery Fund that has supported 13 projects this year which you can read more about here. We also worked with public, private and third sector partners through the Tourism Emergency Response Group and the Cairngorms Visitor Management Group to tackle some of the key issues affecting the Park this past summer. The reopening of the Park in July was a challenge with so many people wanting to come and enjoy the area and some of the issues that this caused around dirty camping, traffic management etc.
The CNPA responded to these issues in partnership with Estates, CBP, Local Authorities and others focusing on a #CairngormsTogether message. The CNPA recruited and trained nine seasonal rangers to help protect the Park’s hotspots. They spoke to over 5000 visitors and almost 1000 camps, encouraging them to do the right thing in terms of litter, human waste, parking and fires. They worked with the Parks existing ranger services as well as the volunteer rangers – and this additional resource was appreciated across the board.
Despite the roll-out of the much welcomed coronavirus vaccine, I suspect next year will be very busy again across the Park and the CNPA will be working with partners to develop the right visitor management plans for next season during this winter. We love to welcome visitors to the Park and we want to ensure that everyone has a great time, respects the Park, its communities, landscapes and wildlife.
The climate emergency and biodiversity crisis have not gone away but there are big opportunities in 2021 to tackle these, and to build on ongoing work around health and active travel. So while 2020 has been dominated by Covid-19 and has affected how we work – the CNPA has still achieved a great deal from funding for capercaillie conservation, undertaking peatland restoration, supporting projects through the Green Recovery Fund, promoting our cultural heritage assets via projects like The Shinty Trail and finalising the next Local Development Plan for the Park. The list is long but there is still much to do to support people, businesses & nature in the Park.
So I will end by taking the opportunity to wish all of you a very merry and safe Christmas and let’s look forward to a better, brighter 2021.
Alert
Latest from the National Park
Ongoing wildfire near Ryvoan Bothy
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and partners are currently in attendance at a large fire south of Aviemore.
Historic bridge in Nethy replaced after years of community effort
New bridge over Allt Mòr Burn officially opens
Endangered ant queen found in Royal Deeside
An exciting discovery in Royal Deeside is being hailed as a milestone in the recovery of a critically endangered species.
Relevant alerts
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Update - 21:55
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have shared that emergency services continue to tackle a large-scale wildfire covering more than two kilometres in width near to Glenmore.
A number of homes and businesses, including campsites and ski resorts within the Glenmore Forest Park area, have been closed and evacuated as a safety precaution due to the close proximity to the incident.
As of 9pm on Wednesday night (15 July), Scottish Fire and Rescue Service currently has six fire appliances, a wildfire unit, specialist resources and tactical commanders mobilised to the scene after the alarm was raised just before 12 noon earlier today.
Firefighters are working with landowners to contain the incident and create fire breaks, with high winds causing the fire to spread across areas of trees and woodland. There are no reported casualties.
Road closures continue to be in place to support the emergency response, and people are asked to avoid the area within Glenmore Forest Park and Loch Morlich on Thursday, 16 July as this incident continues.
We will share updates as the situation develops. In the meantime, our thanks go out to the emergency services, gamekeepers, NGO and estate staff and many others from across the community who are working non-stop to get these fires under control, and providing support to those affected.
Update - 20:06
Emergency services and partners are continuing to respond to this wildfire. A number of properties and premises in the area have been evacuated as a precaution. The Ski Road is currently closed. Anyone walking in the Cairngorms should avoid the area and let family or friends know when they have returned.
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The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and partners are currently in attendance at a large fire in the open near to Ryvoan Bothy within the Cairngorms National Park.
Due to large volumes of smoke travelling towards populated areas nearby, residents in Aviemore, Glenmore and the surrounding communities should keep their windows and doors closed. If you are within this area and can see or smell smoke, please follow the same advice. If you are aware of someone hiking in the area, please ask them to get themselves safely off the hill as soon as possible.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has asked that people avoid the Glenmore and Aviemore area, and remain vigilant. Our thanks go to all those engaged in active firefighting - we will post further updates when we have them.
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Very high fire risk - 15 to 20 July
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a very high wildfire warning impacting areas of the National Park on Wednesday 15 until Monday 20 July. If you are out and about in the Cairngorms National Park please observe the following guidance:
- Do not light any fire or barbecue, in line with the new fire byelaw
- Always ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and take your litter (including glass) away with you
- Enjoy the outdoors responsibly - most wildfires are caused by human activity
- Stay alert - with dry vegetation and warm weather, fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and burn intensely
- If you see a wildfire, dial 999
For further updates on wildfire risk across Scotland, visit the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website. To find out more about the fire byelaw, and to see your questions answered, visit our fire byelaw page here.