Celebrating Hydrogen in the Granite City

Aberdeen’s achievements in hydrogen- Spring 2016 based projects will be showcased to an Winter 2014 international audience during Hydrogen Week, from 11-18 March.

The city council, which is working to establish a hydrogen economy in , is at the forefront of a number of hydrogen- Delegates from around the world will have based projects, securing the city’s position the chance to learn about what Aberdeen as a leading world energy city and has achieved with its hydrogen transport Recycling renewables hub. and infrastructure projects to date, and 0 News what’s next for H2 in the Granite City. The event marks the first anniversary of the launch of Europe’s largest hydrogen UK Hydrogen Week activities will conclude bus fleet in Aberdeen and the city’s with a conference in Aberdeen on 18 March, Earth Hour first hydrogen production and refuelling arranged and hosted by the Aberdeen City Events station. During the course of the week, Council. announcements will be made about achievements to date, as well as the city’s The event will showcase several of the Make Home plans for the future. leading hydrogen and fuel cell projects in , making the link between Your Priority! On 15 March, the council will present and renewable energy and transport, with the exhibit at the International Hydrogen and use of hydrogen as a clean fuel creating Fuel Cell Conference in Birmingham. zero emissions at the tailpipe. Volunteers Green energy Environmental Improvements first with arrival Ranger’s of H2 cars Event Diary rather than traditional fossil fuels. The vehicles convert the hydrogen into electricity Click side arrows to navigate & > to create the power to drive them. Unlike corners to return to this page < traditional cars, the hydrogen cars produce no harmful emissions, and in fact only Next issue... Aberdeen is marking another clean energy produce water vapour at the tail pipe. first, by becoming the first city in Europe to have hydrogen-powered vehicles in its Aberdeen made global headlines in 2012, car club. when the car club became the first in the world to trial the hydrogen cars. The The city council and car club partner Hyundais were bought following that CoWheels unveiled the Hyundai ix35 SUVs successful trial, with a view to encouraging during an event at Marischal College. businesses and individuals to buy low emission vehicles. The cars are being put through their Local Nature News paces during an initial phase of testing In addition to a fleet of hydrogen buses in before CoWheels makes them available for Aberdeen, the Council operates a number of Aberdeen’s Environmental business and public use. hydrogen and diesel/hydrogen hybrid vans. Once in full operation, the Hyundais will The purchase of the cars has been News and Events be fuelled using locally produced hydrogen supported by Transport Scotland. Ferry to a Fairtrade Future

A unique event is set to take place on board a NorthLink ferry, on 10 March, to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight 2016.

The Ferry to a Fairtrade Future event will be taking place on board the ferry, while it is moored at Aberdeen Harbour.

Featuring a pop-up shop, there will be a chance to sample Fairtrade goodies, find out more about Fairtrade in Aberdeen and even enjoy a tour of the ferry.

Fatima Ismael, a Nicaraguan coffee To mark the end of the campaign, a farmer, will be attending the event. screening of film “Just Eat It – A Food Waste Love Your Caddy Story” was held at the Belmont Filmhouse. The event has been organised by The screening proved popular, selling out in city Fairtrade flagship employer Screen 2 and being upgraded to Screen 1. NorthLink Ferries, with the Winners of a city “Love your Caddy” Aberdeen Fairtrade food waste recycling competition were Councillor Jean Morrison, awarded the Steering Group. announced at a special film screening at competition entrants with their prizes at the Belmont Filmhouse. the event. Those attending heard a short presentation from Do you love food Chris Herd from OLIO, Award for Fairtrade but hate waste? was a new food sharing the theme of the app that has just Campaigners competition run by been launched in the Council Recycling Aberdeen. Aberdeen’s successful Team. It aimed to raise Fairtrade campaign was awareness of the food The film had some recognised at the Scottish recycling service and of the audience Fair Trade Awards 2015. encourage residents to gasping in shock at use their caddies. the global wastage A partnership between of food and a NorthLink Ferries, City residents were discussion on food waste took Aberdeen Fairtrade invited to post selfies with their food place at the end of the screening. Steering Group and the recycling caddies on the Recycle For Orkney Fair Trade Group achieved the Aberdeen Facebook page. A wide range of If you missed the screening but would like to Campaign of the Year Award. This is creative entries were submitted. watch the film, it is now available on iTunes. presented to a campaigner or campaign in Scotland that has put an incredible effort into that cause. To make sure you receive a copy of this publication when it is released or if you The award acknowledged the work of About Green Times would like to contribute to future campaigners from Aberdeen and Orkney, editions contact: working with NorthLink Ferries, the Green Times is produced in Aberdeen flagship Fairtrade business. March, June, September and email: thegreentimes@ December each year and aberdeencity.gov.uk The company has committed to using includes information on local Fairtrade tea, coffee, chocolate and transport, energy, waste, Eco telephone: 01224 522792 sugar, as well as taking the further Schools and biodiversity step of sourcing polo shirts made from events and initiatives. or write to the editor: Fairtrade cotton for their crew. Business Hub 4, Previous editions are available Ground Floor North, Included in the campaign work was on the Aberdeen City Council Marischal College, a tour of Orkney by the Aberdeen website www.aberdeencity.gov.uk Broad Street, Fairtrade mascot, FT Banana, by ferry Aberdeen AB10 1AB to raise awareness of Fairtrade. Commercial A new requirement for food Food Waste distribution, preparation or waste collections is set to come sale of food.” into place on 1 January 2016. This could include cafes, Under the Waste (Scotland) restaurants, canteens, hotels, food Regulations 2012, non-rural food premises shops and nursing homes. producing over 50 kilograms of food waste a week have needed to have a separate To help businesses comply Aberdeen collection for food waste, since the with the changes, the What beginning of 2014. Aberdeen City Council Business Waste and can you reaches In From the start of 2016, this legislation went Recycling Team has do? further by reducing the food waste limit. introduced food waste Bloom finals The new rules mean that any non-rural food collections suitable for smaller food waste premises producing over 5 kilograms per producers. The food waste service is now Aberdeen has been selected from week of food waste a week will require a offering 23 litre caddies, as well as 140 litre more than 600 entrants to take part in separate food waste collection. and 240 litre wheeled bins. the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom UK Finals 2016. A food business is defined as Internal pedal bins, caddies and bio-liners What is “an undertaking, whether can be provided for commercial food waste A finalist in the city category, this for profit or not, and collections. If you want more information year brings the total number of times a food whether public or private, on food waste collection services, contact Aberdeen has been in the finals to 21. business? carrying out any activity the team at businesswaste@aberdeencity. related to the processing, gov.uk or call 01224 219281. Britain in Bloom groups are assessed on a wide range of initiatives, such as the maintenance of parks and communal City residents benefit the gardens, the management of natural will have the Aberdeen’s Community Donside, spaces, community campaigns to opportunity to and promote recycling and environmental benefit from wider Aberdeen awareness, and projects involving local Aberdeen’s first Energy innovators community. residents and schools. community renewable energy generation scheme, What makes this project especially In August, passionate local volunteers set to be built on the site of the former unique and exciting for Aberdeen is that will lead RHS Britain in Bloom judges on Donside Papermill. ACEnergy plans to offer everyone in the a tour of local projects and initiatives. city the opportunity to invest in scheme. The initiative has been developed by Not only will this help raise the funds to In recognition of challenges some Aberdeen Community Energy, known as build it, it will also mean locals will part RHS Britain in Bloom 2016 UK finalists ACEnergy, a new community company set own the scheme and get a good return on face as a result of the recent floods, up by the residents of Donside Village. their investment. the RHS has created a new award to honour those who have battled ACEnergy, has agreed plans to build, own ACEnergy is planning a high profile city against adversity. and operate the Donside Community centre launch for their Community Share Hydro Scheme. Offer, in April. The RHS discretionary award for overcoming adversity will recognise This new energy initiative will draw water Look out for details in local media or you those groups that have worked in from the Don and pass it over an can find more information at: difficult circumstances to put the bloom ‘Archimedian screw turbine’, turning back into their towns, villages and the water energy into clean, renewable www.ACEnergy.org.uk cities across England, Northern Ireland, electricity which will be sold to the National www.facebook.com/ACEnergy2016 Scotland, Wales, Jersey and Guernsey. Grid. The ‘profit’ will be re-invested to twitter.com/ACEnergy2016 Keys for city centre food recycling bins Energy from waste

City centre food recycling bins have had locks fitted in a bid to stop people using them as litter bins.

Aberdeen City Council has installed locks on the bins, for a trial period. This is due to high levels of contamination caused if the wrong materials are put inside.

Locks have been fitted on 20 food re- cycling bins, at the following locations: • Adelphi • Chapel Street • The Green • Rose Street • Carmelite Street • Castle Street • Shiprow • King Street • Trinity Street • Holburn Street A planning application has been submitted comments received included, concerns Huntly Street Bon Accord Terr to develop an energy from waste facility, at relating to traffic, location, air quality, • • the East Tullos Industrial Estate in Aberdeen. odour and visual impact. Support was also Residents affected have been expressed on location, district heating, informed and have been given keys The proposed facility will process non- design concepts and waste management. for the bins so they can continue to recyclable municipal waste from Aberdeen recycle their food waste. City Council, Aberdeenshire Council and You can have your say on the planning Moray Council. In doing so, it will generate application online by visiting Information about the food recycling heat and power for local homes and http://planning.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ service for flats is on the Council businesses. planningsearch.asp and following the link to website at www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ comment on this application. wasteandrecycling Feedback received during consultation has fed into the design process and contributed For more information on the proposed energy Waste and recycling to the final planning application. Key from waste facility, visit www.abzre.net collection calendars New mixed recycling bins for flats If you have a kerbside waste and recycling collection, look out for your If you live in a flat, look out for new For more information about the new 2016-17 collection calendar in the post. mixed recycling bins being installed near mixed recycling service, visit the your home. website at: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ The calendars have information on wasteandrecycling collections and the materials that can The communal bins will be installed be recycled at the kerbside including: across the city throughout 2016, making it easier to recycle a wide range of ■ Paper and cardboard – white bag. materials. The aim is for this to lead to ■ Glass bottles & jars, plastic bottles, an increase in recycling rates. food & drink cans, aerosol cans, kitchen foil and foil trays – black box. The new bins will have blue lids and be ■ Food & garden waste – brown located near general waste bins in areas wheelie bin. with a bulk bin service. You can use the bins to recycle the following materials: Collection dates are online at www. aberdeencity.gov.uk/bindays • Paper and card • Glass This will be the last calendar before • Food and drink cartons (Tetra-Paks) the change to a mixed recycling • Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays service mid-2017. • Food tins and drinks cans, aerosols, foil, and foil trays Residents will be contacted about the new service when it is due to be Mixed recycling bins have already been introduced in their area. Updates are installed in parts of Powis, Sunnybank, also online at www.aberdeencity.gov. Kincorth, Garthdee and Torry, where they uk/wasteandrecycling are being well-used by residents. Climate events for March

Things to do, learn and enjoy are on offer to Aberdeen organisations have worked city residents in March, as part of a series together to produce a programme of of green themed events for Climate Week events for Earth Hour, find out more at and Earth Hour. www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/earthhour For details on Climate Week go to A packed programme of events is to take www.climateweekaberdeen.org place around the city during Climate Week from 12 March, in the lead up to Earth Hour Earth hour is a global on 19 March, featuring: About movement to raise awareness about • A Countryside Rangers walk Earth climate change • Tree planting event and environmental Challenge fund • Film showings and talks Hour protection. • An arts project project success • Planetarium showings The 10 year anniversary takes place on • Science workshop 19 March 2016, when individuals and This month sees the conclusion of • Recycling event organisations around the world will switch Aberdeen Multicultural Centre’s (AMC) • Switch offs at Aberdeen City Council off lights for one hour, from 8.30pm, to Climate Challenge Fund project. and Robert Gordon University mark Earth Hour. With support from AMC, Aberdeen’s Anyone can take part in Earth Hour, by Bengali community have worked to switching off lights or planning events and reduce their carbon emissions and celebrating in their own way. impact on climate change over the last year. Please sign up to Earth Hour online to show your support and to share how you are They have reduced their home celebrating. For more information visit the energy usage and bills, using energy Earth Hour Website: www.wwfscotland.org. monitors to keep track of their energy uk/earthhour use and by implementing simple energy efficiency measures. This has included switching to energy efficient lightbulbs, improving insulation and altering behaviour around the home.

AMC has partnered with Home Energy Scotland to organise Home Energy Checks for participants, delivering recommendations for further improvements.

In conjunction with the Council’s Waste Aware Team, CFINE and Love Food Hate Waste, the Bengali community has worked to reduce food waste.

AMC has hosted workshops and training and supported people to grow their own food at home, reducing food miles and carbon emissions.

The centre operated a successful bike loan scheme among the community. People were encouraged to swap their usual transport for cycling, cutting down on emissions in the process.

The positive impact on climate change will continue over the coming years, as people continue to Councillor Jenny Laing, Leader of Aberdeen City Council helps spell ‘Earth Hour 2016’ implement the changes they have outside Marischal College where the lights will be switched off on 19 March 2016. learnt from the project. STOP putting it off and Make Your make the call Home Energy visits are free and one of the first steps to knowing what’s Home Priority! causing your cold home issues. For more information, contact the HEAT team at Scarf on 01224 213005 and 0808 8082282 Most people do not know or email [email protected] or how easy it is to make their [email protected] homes warmer and save money on the heat and Insulate your Home fuel bills. The Council’s The Council currently Home Energy team has Scottish Government would like to change that. funding to improve the energy performance for all households An Employee Home Energy Survey was in the city. Under the scheme, householders issued in December to help improve can receive free cavity wall, loft insulation, support for energy efficiency services. The underfloor insulation and draught proofing results revealed: for entrance doors. When properties are rented or sold, an Energy Performance • Most were aware that help is available, Certificate (EPC) is required. A well-insulated but unclear on how they can benefit flat can get a higher score in the EPC. and who to turn to for advice & support. Before work starts • The message isn’t always consistent Improve your EPC rating Photo Walking the Talk and can create doubt about whether the Find out how to improve the Council is spear-heading the project and energy performance rating for your if there is hidden costs to householders. property. The team can help. Work to start There are very simple changes that Ventilate your Home householders can make to drastically Dampness and condensation on wetland at reduce heating and electricity bills and issues can be linked to a poorly even in-depth solutions for particular insulated or insufficiently heated house. home types. The Home Energy Advice For a healthy home, it is important to have Team (HEAT) from Scarf is funded by the adequate ventilation. Aberdeen City Council to provide free Work on the formal creation of a and impartial advice to householders in Ask about grants wetland area at Seaton Park is due to an effort to provide affordable warmth and funding start in March. solutions to help heat their homes for less. The Aberdeen Affordable Warmth Scheme is aimed at householders who are The works include digging out wetland, For more information, contact the Home either paying 10% or more of their income creating drainage, and adding paths, Energy team at HomeEnergy@aberdeencity. on heating their homes. This scheme can signage and planting. gov.uk offer interest free or low interest loans.

The wetland will be an asset to the park and provide a natural solution to Storms and flooding at the With funding required it will take a water management. start of January left a mark on while to complete all the work many parts of the city, with Storm needed and in some places This project is helping to implement Seaton Park under a couple of some temporary repairs will the Council's Nature Conservation metres of water in places for be made to open up areas. Strategy conserving natural heritage several days. & flood Please take care in these and the Open Space Strategy, ensuring areas and if routes are closed the city has accessible and good quality The floods resulted in extensive please don’t try to get past. open space. damage to the riverside path, damage along the Don at Persley and near Information will be posted on the Some of the funding has come from Grandholm Bridge. Several landslips Ranger Service Facebook page and on Aberdeen Greenspace, with Sustrans occurred along the coastal path blocking the the Outdoor Access Updates and News paying for some of the paths. route or leaving gaps in the path. In addition, webpages at www.aberdeencity.gov.uk trees were blown down in Carnie Woods and The idea of the wetland at Seaton Park Woods. These were just a few of The good news is that extensive work was inspired by the recent success the places affected. carried out recently on Kincorth Hill and of the East Tullos Burn Environment Brimmond Hill to rebuild the badly washed Improvements Project at St. Fitticks Park Teams have been out assessing the out sections of path worked really well. where flooding was alleviated with the damage, closing off sections of path, where The work was designed to minimise the inclusion of wetlands to manage water necessary, and working out how to put risk of damage during heavy rainfall. On levels from the burn, as well as improved everything back together again. both sites there was no damage on the new access and increased biodiversity. sections of path. City Schools gain cycle friendly status 89% of Local Authority schools in the Aberdeen are registered for the Eco Schools < Councillor Angela Taylor with Paul Wright from Cycle Scotland & pupils Niril George, Programme, an international initiative Ailsa Simpson & Tara MacLeod. designed to encourage whole school action Photo by Norman Adams – Aberdeen City Council. for the environment. Eco Schools awards achieved by these schools include: and Adventure Aberdeen to plan various innovative activities for all year groups 42 40 17 within the school. Bronze Silver Green Flag It has appointed three Cycle Friendly Champions; Niril George, Ailsa Simpson and David Smith to brainstorm new ideas, to Find out about Eco Schools Scotland at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org expand current activities and encourage cycling in the local community and feeder Eco-School Co-ordinators, primary schools. Keep Scotland Beautiful are testing and trailing a The future aims of Hazlehead include new online application and continuing on their legacy of improving the assessment process which pupil's health and developing relationships should be available soon. In the meantime with the community via innovating events award applications have been closed. and activities.

Hazlehead Academy is celebrating success after becoming the first secondary school Primary School awards in Aberdeen to achieve Cycle Friendly Five city schools have been recognised in Eco-Schools Secondary School status. a national award scheme to increase the numbers of children cycling to school. is changing The school received the national award for its relentless commitment to increasing Manor Park, Greenbrae, Fernielea, Hazlehead The Eco-Schools application and cycling activity among pupils and staff. and Kingsford primary schools all recently assessment process is set to change. achieved Cycle Friendly School status. Paul Wright, Development Officer for Cycling The schools join Airyhall and Charleston, Eco-School Co-ordinators, Keep Scotland Scotland, described Hazlehead's progress as: bringing the total number of Cycle Friendly Beautiful are testing and trialing a new “Blazing a trail for other schools to follow”. Schools in Aberdeen to seven. system, and applications have been closed in the meantime. The dedication to improve the pupils and The award has been developed by Cycling staff’s health can be seen through Eco- Scotland to encourage schools to adopt There are few key things schools School initiatives and a wide range of extra- cycling as part of their culture, benefiting can do to prepare for the new Eco- curricular activities. children's health and their environment. Schools process: Bike to School Week, P7 Cycle Induction Day The work undertaken to earn Cycle Friendly Explore the UN Sustainable and Cycle Leadership Awards are just a few Schools status can also contribute to Health Development Goals with the whole ways that the school has integrated health Promoting School and Eco-School initiatives. school community. into the normal school curriculum. Hazlehead has been in contact with the To find out more about the award visit Measure your impact, this could City Council, Commonwealth Games Legacy www.cyclefriendlyschool.org involve recording information on things like litter, food waste, energy use and biodiversity.

Share what you’ve been doing to work toward your Green Flag with the local community and beyond, including local businesses.

Evaluate your progress.

Celebrate your Eco-School success.

You can look out for details on the Keep Scotland Beautiful website www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org With Spring just round Clean Up the corner, why not Aberdeen help make a difference to your local neighbourhood.

Clean Up Aberdeen’s, Spring Clean campaign is a great opportunity to get together with friends, colleagues or your community and clean up a local area.

It’s Your Neighbourhood It could be somewhere important to your community, valuable for wildlife, Scotland are doing their bit to ensure local or somewhere litter accumulates. spaces are clean, green and beautiful, and all too often these efforts are overlooked. Clean Up Aberdeen is part of Keep Scotland Beautiful’s national mass- “It’s Your Neighbourhood campaign engagement campaign Clean Up provides the opportunity for us to support Scotland which aims to involve one the work that they do, celebrate their million people in action against litter achievements and encourage even more and mess. communities to participate.” The Council Environmental Services Groups are assessed on their own merit team can lend equipment including; and not compared against each other. Local litter picking tongs, high vis vests, activities for the initiative have included; gloves and black bags. They will uplift bulb planting, litter picking, filling planters any rubbish collected. and hanging baskets, improving pathways and accessibility and developing allotments. For more details or to get help organising an event, call 01224 219281, or email As part of the 50th anniversary [email protected] celebrations, participants will be provided with a free packet of native seeds.

Keep Scotland Beautiful It’s Your Neighbourhood is free is calling for community to take part in. Registration groups to register for It’s opened on the 7 January and Your Neighbourhood, as continues to 29 April, if would it celebrates 50 years of like to be part of It’s Your community growing. Neighbourhood visit: www. keepscotlandbeautiful.org/iyn Coastal clean ups The initiative celebrates the achievements of communities who have come together to clean and green up A programme of city beach clean ups the neighbourhoods where they live, work for 2016 has been organised by the or spend leisure time. Marine Conservation Society.

Last year, 26 groups in Aberdeen joined the The first is set to take place on 2 April. It’s Your Neighbourhood campaign. They If you would like to help clean up the included; allotments, residents groups, coast, come along to Nigg Bay public ‘Friends of’ groups, schools and community car park at 2pm. groups, with each one doing fantastic work in their neighbourhood. Further clean up dates at 10am: 25 June Torry battery The campaign is non-competitive and 17 September City Beach (North end) based on the three themes of Community 3 December Donmouth (North side) Participation, Environmental Responsibility and Gardening Achievement. Run by Keep No previous experience is necessary. Scotland Beautiful (KSB), in partnership Children under 18 must be supervised with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). by a legally responsible guardian. For Derek Robertson Chief Executive of KSB, more details on the beach clean ups said: “All year round, communities across email: [email protected] Green Appeal!

A caring group of Denburn residents is appealing for ideas for alternative uses for a prominent city centre site.

Airyhall Lego EcoRecycling Team The site of the old Denburn Health Centre and surrounding area is in A recycling themed initiative from Airyhall recycling bins outside the Airyhall Library. a poor state. The Denburn Court Primary achieved best project in the First Residents Association would like Lego League competition at RGU in December. Staged in one of the RGU auditoriums, the to improve the environment of the ALERT group spoke about their campaign to area and make it a space that the Airyhall Lego Eco Recycling Team (ALERT), encourage members of the community to community will want to use. The participated in all three parts of the Trash stop overusing the recycling bins at Airyhall group has already carried out some Trek themed tournament. Library. These were overflowing and in a greenspace improvements. busy area that is used by pupils. During the tournament the ALERT group While the future redevelopment of this made a presentation on their project, The team was awarded a trophy for the best area is potentially a big project which explaining why people should use the Grove project, which can be viewed in the Airyhall would be lead elsewhere, the residents Nursery Recycling Centre instead of the School trophy cabinet. group is willing to help where they can.

A whole School initiative at more produce. The produce Airyhall Primary School has Airyhall is then harvested and used to Kingswells seen the pupils growing and make food including soups and using their own food produce. Primary jams. Community For several years the children at Last year the Airyhall PTA funded Airyhall have been growing and School the purchase of a polytunnel to Clean ups harvesting their own produce at allow pupils to grow more produce Slopefield Allotment with great success. in the grounds of the school. Members of Kingswell Community Potatoes, cabbages, green beans have been have come together to clean up the planted and much more. In November last year a polytunnel was area, collecting 90 bags of litter in erected and the Eco group are in talks at total during local litter picks. The allotment area looks great and classes the moment to see which types of fruit and visit it once a week to maintain and plant vegetables they will grow at the site. After contacting the Council for advice and support, a walk about of the local area took place and the first litter pick was held in April 2015. With an encouraging response from the community, 65 bags of rubbish were collected and another litter pick was planned and held in October, collecting a further 25 sacks of rubbish.

Den of Pitfoldels The aim is to make these regular With Council encouragement, city resident without big commitment. events and litter picking equipment Matthew Quinn has started a project called has already been have already booked the Deeside triangle, at the back of the new “Plant a few bulbs or put your wild flowers to use in community clean ups in April estate, Den of Pitfodels. and overgrown heathers in the space.” and October 2016.

Initial work has seen Matthew plant trees The area offers real potential and Matthew Organiser Claire Burt said said: “One and bulbs and address weeds. is planning to plant more fruit trees. The benefit of doing a pick is you get to aim is to put in good stock in the area for know a lot more people who live in Matthew said: “My idea is to have a place all year colour, come along to see the space your neighbourhood and there is a people can make their own contribution and find out more. real sense of fun to the day.” ParkForce Members of ParkForce helping to plant the disability beds, purchased by the Friends of Duthie Park.

As part of the Restoration of Duthie Park, Since the group started in 2012, they have one of the aims was to encourage more completed 3,003 hours of volunteer work. volunteers to get involved in the Park. Many of the volunteers ParkForce is a volunteering Over the last couple years require additional support gardening group who help the volunteers have: and ParkForce has helped with various tasks around them develop their social the Park, particularly in the • Established the skills and to work together community garden. community garden. as part of a team. • Helped with digging The group meet on Tuesday out the paths. The work can be quite afternoons from 1.30-3.30pm • Created the herb physical, but the team make and on Fridays between garden, wildflower sure that any work is within 10.00-12 noon. and orchard area. a person’s capabilities. New • Created the mountain volunteers are always invited Winter Wreaths ParkForce is open for landscape. to come for a chat first, to anyone to come along, from • Helped to take care explain more about ParkForce Early December was a busy time for those who have got some of the farming and and what it might entail. the Duthie Park Ranger Service, with gardening experience, to vegetable plots. four wreath-making classes taking those who want to learn a For more information place within the Winter Gardens. bit more, or those who just wanted enjoy please contact Arthur Gill, email: ArGill@ some volunteer work in the outdoors. aberdeencity.gov.uk After some guidance from the team, the participants were able to use their imagination and natural materials to Workshop dates for your diary create a beautiful wreath. 21 February Small garden designs & tips Bending and shaping colourful, on purchasing plants red willow for the bases, natural 13 March Caring for your greenhouse greenery was woven in. This included and planting seeds & cuttings four different holly varieties, Scots 10 April Lawn maintenance Pine from Duthie Park and also 8 May Planting a vegetable garden some Korean Fir which came from . 22 May Hanging baskets & containers *(held in Education Glasshouse) Ribbons, pine cones, baubles, dried 19 June Herbs for your garden oranges and other final touches were 17 July Fruit Trees & Pruning then added and after two hours 14 August Showcase your plants everyone had created a wreath to be 11 September Ponds and soil sampling proud of! Gardening workshops 9 October Bulb planting The Ranger Service would like to Amateur and beginner gardeners will have 20 November Storing seeds and produce thank the ParkForce volunteers who the opportunity to flex their green fingers 18 December Christmas arrangements helped to gather the natural materials with a series of gardening workshops at and prepared the willow for these Duthie Park. Most of the workshops will be held in the workshops. Education Glasshouse in the David Welch The workshops are being hosted by the Winter Gardens, apart from April, May*, If you would like to be added to the Royal Horticulture Society of Aberdeen, in June, and July, which will be held in the mailing list to receive information partnership with the Council and will provide Community Garden, beside the Old on activities and volunteering tips on different aspects of gardening. Bowling Pavilion. opportunities hosted by the Duthie Park Ranger Service, please The events will be held on Sundays, For further information or to book a space, email: DuthieParkRangerService@ running from 1.30-3.00pm. They are free, but contact Arthur Gill on 01224 580165 or by aberdeencity.gov.uk there may be a small charge for materials. email [email protected] they are avoided along with the surrounding Ranger Duncan's Forestry Works trees. This will minimise disruption to the First three Weeks Hazlehead Woods red squirrels. Doing this work in the autumn will avoid Being fairly new to The next phase of the Hazlehead Woods the squirrel breeding season. It will also the Ranger Management Plan will be taken forward in be when most natural food is around for Service, in fact autumn. the squirrels including, cones, tree seeds, only 3 weeks at berries and fungi. the time of Woodlands at the back of the Aberdeen writing, I am Crematorium, towards Hazlehead Academy The timber will be sold to cover the costs constantly aware and some areas on the golf course, are due of the work, with any additional income that I have some to be thinned. invested back into the woodlands. big shoes to fill. Especially as I have been given control of the highly Mainly Sitka spruce will be removed and When the work is in progress it may be successful Volunteer Ranger Team! other trees in poor condition, to make space necessary to close off some paths for safety for remaining trees to grow to maturity. reasons. As with many new posts there has been a steep learning curve, learning Red squirrels are now doing well in this More information about this work will be my way around a new city, a new area of woodland. Careful survey work will distributed nearer the time in local libraries, organisation and a great variety of establish which trees have squirrel dreys, so on the Council website and at the site. sites all managed by the Council, Countryside Ranger Service, makes for a lot of information to take in in a short time. New Countryside Rangers!

However, having had a few weeks to Two new full time Countryside Rangers have settle in, things are slowly starting joined the Countryside Ranger Service team, to come together particularly after Jen Hickling and Duncan McNeill. the recent public volunteer event on . This excellent day Jen will be helping Rob and Simon with site out gave me the chance to meet some patrols, public events, outdoor learning and of the long term Volunteer Ranger educational activities. Duncan will be doing Team, as well as getting stuck into more practical work on the countryside sites some very satisfying practical work and working with volunteers on the ground. cutting back gorse with a variety of Photo by Ian Talboys public volunteers. They both want to find out as much as they can about the area, the countryside sites groups, including Friends groups to help Plans for the early part of this year and their wildlife and especially the local them develop projects, find funding and include everything from woodwork communities and sources of information. work in partnership. sessions to repair broken benches Watch out for new events and activities and boardwalks, sessions maintaining using the new interests and skills the team Stephen has done a great job working with paths and clearing invasive plants at have gained! a wide range of community groups and sites all across the city. volunteers with the Ranger Service so he Ranger Stephen has moved on to an will no doubt flourish and enjoy the new As you may imagine the work of the expanded role as Community Engagement challenges of his new role. The Ranger Ranger Service is extensive for a small Officer for the whole Environmental Services Service wish him well in his new role but team and without these keen and team. He will be working with community we know he will not be far away! committed volunteers, some logging several hundred hours in a year, we would not be able to provide all of Each of the four once with a site meeting where projects, the services we currently do. On Local Nature Local Nature management work or other issues can be top of this, it gives our volunteers Reserves, Den discussed and resolved as necessary. an excellent opportunity to learn a Reserves of Maidencraig, variety of new skills and make new Donmouth, Come along and find out about the friends in some lovely settings. Committees Kincorth Hill and Reserves and their committees, no previous Scotstown Moor experience is needed just an interest in If you are interested in joining the have a committee made up mainly of local what happens at your local nature reserve! Volunteer Ranger Team or even just people with an interest in their local reserve. coming along to try your hand for a If you have an interest in any of these sites day please do get in touch with the The committees help to shape how and would be prepared to contribute some Aberdeen City Council Ranger Service the sites are managed and share time to becoming a member of one of these on 01224 326 429 or email lochinch@ information with the local communities. committees contact Countryside Officer Ian aberdeencity.gov.uk we look forward Talboys on 01224 326429 or email lochinch@ to hearing from you. They meet three times a year in the aberdeencity.gov.uk evenings, twice with indoor meetings and Saturday 26 | 10am-3pm Photo by Ian Talboys What’s On Squirrel Woodland Management Hazlehead Woods Help the Rangers remove spruce saplings to Rangers Events increase the chance of seeing red squirrels in this part of the city. Gloves and tools Programme will be provided, wear sturdy footwear and The Countryside Rangers summer events bring water and a packed lunch. Tea and May programme is due for publication in coffee will be provided. March. Find a copy in your local library, Meet at the far end of the Hazlehead Saturday 14 | 10am-3pm community centre or online at Crematorium West Chapel car park. Bracken-Busters on Elrick Hill www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/rangerservice Photo by Rob Rowe Elrick Hill Help the Countryside Rangers to tackle the The last of the winter events and the bracken menace and pluck the new bracken first of the summer ones are listed fronds of this invasive species invading here. Please remember that booking is areas of heather moorland. Gloves and tools essential for all events by phoning: will be provided. Wear sturdy footwear and bring water and a packed lunch. Tea and 01224 326429 coffee will be provided. [email protected] Meet at the second car park for Tyrebagger Forest, on the left on leaving the A96 at April the road signposted for the Forest.

Monday 11 | 10:30am-12pm and Saturday 21 | 10am-3pm Wednesday 13 | 11am-12:30pm Squirrel Woodland Management Rock Pooling at Cove Hazlehead Woods Cove Red squirrels have once again been seen Residents of rock pools need to be tough, in the woods of Hazlehead! This is due where life is constantly changing and to grey squirrel management and the every tide may bring in new arrivals. Join regeneration of Scots pines, the squirrel’s Photo by Simon Whitworth a Countryside Ranger to explore the rock favourite food. Help the Rangers get rid of March pools, meet some of the residents and spruce saplings to increase the chance of create some wild beach art. seeing red squirrels in this part of the city. Saturday 12 | 2pm-4pm Meet at Colsea Road car park. Remember Gloves and tools will be provided. Wear Dens in the Den to bring wellies. sturdy footwear and bring water and a Den of Maidencraig Local Nature Reserve packed lunch. Tea and coffee will be Join the Countryside Rangers for a fun Saturday 16 | 10am-1pm provided. Meet at the far end of the Hazle- family afternoon of shelter building with Paw Print Pathfinders head Crematorium West Chapel car park. natural materials. Make a hot drink using Kincorth Hill Local Nature Reserve water boiled in an outdoor kettle and get Explore the history and wildlife and follow Saturday 28 | 2pm-4pm creative with natural art to decorate the trails around Kincorth Hill. Find the Archaeology Walk – your shelter. brass panels of leaves and animal tracks Walking a March Meet at the reserve car park off Skene on route and take crayon rubbings to Seaton, Donmouth, Cottown of Balgownie Road (B9119) complete your treasure hunt! As a part of the Energetica Summer Suitable for children aged 8 and up, Festival join Countryside Ranger Rob Rowe Saturday 26 | 7am-9am when accompanied by an adult. Meet to explore the history, archaeology and Silent Squirrel Spotting Safari Countryside Ranger Jen at the Kincorth Hill natural history of Seaton Park, Donmouth Hazlehead Woods car park off Abbotswell Crescent. and the Cottown of Balgownie. Sensible The red squirrel is the UK’s only native footwear advised. Please note the walk squirrel species, and was once a common finishes at St Machar’s Cathedral. sight across mainland Britain. Today, red Meet at the Brig O Balgownie. Car parking is squirrels are absent from most of England available at Seaton Park or on local streets and Scotland’s central belt. but please do not obstruct resident’s access. Join the Countryside Rangers to try and find signs of the woods’ red squirrel To book a place or find out more: population. Please dress warmly, wear Photo by Simon Whitworth wellies and bring a hot drink if you wish. 01224 326429 Meet at the far end of the West Chapel Saturday 23 | 10am-12noon [email protected] Hazlehead Crematorium car park. A Donmouth Ramble Donmouth Local Nature Reserve NB All out door events will require warm Squirrel Events Special Offer Join a Countryside Ranger on this circular walk clothes sturdy footwear and waterproofs. If you attend both squirrel events on 26 around the Reserve. A low tide means we Young people under the age of 16 must March you are invited to have a simple should get views of a variety of wading birds. be accompanied by a responsible adult. If, breakfast at the Ranger base on Groats Please bring clothing suitable for the after you have booked, you are not able to Road. Hot drinks, a warm room, croissants weather. Meet at the bird hide on the attend, please phone to cancel your booking and cereals will be provided. Esplanade. as there may be others on a waiting list.