Cairngorms National Park Estate Management Statement Name of Estate: RSPB ABERNETHY NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE Area (ha): 13,714 hectares Location: From near Boat of Garten and Nethybridge through Abernethy Forest, beyond Forest Lodge out to Meall a Bhuachaille, Cairn- gorm, Ben Macdui Ben Mheadhoin, the march then following the Lairig an Laoigh and Caiplich to Gael Charn Beag. Ownership: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Overall purpose of Abernethy is an iconic RSPB nature reserve, representing land- management: scape-scale conservation at its most spectacular. Much of the reserve is designated as SSSI, SPA, SAC, NNR, NSA and, in part, a Ramsar site. It is one of the most biodiverse reserves in the Society’s management, with over 4,800 recorded species; of which 800 are nationally important; some are new to science or only found in the UK at Abernethy. The reserve includes the largest surviving remnant of ancient native Caledonian pinewood in Scotland, one of the rarest habitats in the UK. The reserve encompasses a substantial part of the Cairngorm plateau; the largest area above 900m in the UK. It is a wild, sub-Arctic envi- ronment, supporting nationally important montane and snowbed plant communities; it is home to dotterel, ptarmigan and snow bunting. The reserve is a ‘Mecca’ for UK birdwatchers. The vision for Abernethy over the next 200 years is bold and ambitious. Abernethy will be widely regarded as the best exam- ple of a near natural, boreal forest in Britain, and one of the fin- est examples in NW Europe of an oceanic boreal forest. The forest will have expanded well towards its natural limit – effec- tively doubling the forested landscape within our current owner- ship to around 7,900ha, creating the largest, contiguous area of native woodland in Britain. A bigger forest will confer robust- ness in the face of natural catastrophic processes - such as fire, windthrow and forest disease (all of which may be influenced by climate change) - and will reduce the impacts of generalist preda- tors. At higher elevations, montane scrub species will have be- come well-established, providing a UK stronghold for this very rare habitat. Overview of manage- Across the wealth of habitats, our management will benefit a ment: wide breadth of the biodiversity for which Abernethy is so im- portant. Current plantation areas will have developed a more natural character. We will also give serious consideration to op- portunities to reintroduce species currently missing from the reserve, as part of wider partnership programmes. Our offer for visitors will continue to be concentrated at the Loch Garten Osprey Centre and the nearby forest trails at Loch Mallachie. The experience offered to people here will continue to be unique and we will work tirelessly at holding a reputation for excellence. At the Osprey Centre we will continue to major on one-to-one people engagement, employing the best of nature interpreters and communicators to provide a dynamic and personal wildlife experience for our visitors. For first time visitors to the Osprey Centre, their experience will be an enduring one, an inspiring one, which leads them to a life long passion and appreciation for the Caledonian pine forest and for the work of the RSPB here. For repeat visitors, a visit to the Osprey Centre will re-affirm their enthusiasm for, and com- mitment to, the RSPB at Abernethy and elsewhere. Our visitor experience at the Osprey Centre will be inclusive, with something for everyone, from the very young to the old, from the physically fit to those with different needs. We will concentrate on providing an experience with integrity, by being dynamic and cutting edge, but with minimal use of technology and maximum use of reality. We want to excite and stimulate the senses – immersing visitors in the sights, the sounds, the scents and the touches of this extraordinary wildlife venue. We will offer fun and energising activities for families so that their shared experience is a memorable and empowering one. Outwith the Loch Garten and Loch Mallachie area, we will keep visitor infrastructure to a minimum so as not to detract from the natural wonder that is Abernethy nature reserve. People who wish to explore the deep forest, moorland and mountain habitats will do so sensitively and with the absolute minimum of artificial structures impacting on their enjoyment. With all visitor facili- ties, we will question the need for and the appropriateness of their provision, with “primacy of nature” the constant thread running through our consideration. For those who wish to be more than a visitor, we will strive to be the conservation volunteering destination of choice for young and old. We will continue to offer opportunities, training and mentoring in reserve management and people engagement for residential and day volunteers. Within Badenoch and Strathspey, RSPB Abernethy will be recog- nised as a valuable and integral part of the cultural and economic landscape. We will continue to communicate our significant plans and hopes for the reserve with the local community. We will lis- ten to and consider people’s opinions, both locally and further afield, and act accordingly. Delivering the National Park Plan; Long Term Outcomes Park Partnership Plan 1. A sustainable economy supporting thriving businesses CNPA outcomes are and communities underlined. Community empowerment / involvement: RSPB employs eight full time staff through the year, rising to nineteen full or part time staff during the summer months. The majority of which live within the parishes of Boat of Garten or Nethybridge and contribute to the local economy. A Community Ranger is employed, part funded through CNPA, to work with RSPB, and the communities of Boat of Garten and Nethybridge. This role is involved in many projects that seek in further engaging with these communities, and their visitors. A local group called ‘Friends of Abernethy’ was established and is run by local volunteers. They attend local events promoting work they are involved with, raise funds for the reserve, and regularly assist with practical work. A tree planting project, in partnership with the CNPA and many schools within the National Park was established in 2014, where over 700 school children have come to the reserve to plant trees and learn about their local environment. The communities are consulted as part of our management plan consultation process and working groups have been established with relevant community members to discuss particular issues that could affect these people, and the wider community. A Family Fun Day is organised every two years and is well at- tended by local people. The Abernethy Games running race is supported by RSPB. RSPB staff are involved in the Explore Ab- ernethy initiative as a Director, and a member of staff is released to attend wildfires as a member of the Nethybridge Fire Unit. Community Council meetings are attended when requested. Infrastructure: The Loch Garten Osprey Centre was built, most- ly, out of locally sourced timber. No water is used on site and composting toilets are used. Forest Lodge has recently had sec- ondary glazing fitted and is due to have insulation replaced. All work done by local contractors. Vehicle and walking track net- work, including Speyisde Way. Also own deer larder, fire- management equipment and members of Fire Management Group. Broadband and Connectivity; Through the building of the Beauly to Denny powerline, existing lines in the forest have either been removed, or are due to be in the near future. This will allow these pockets of woodland to join together once more as growth comes away in the wayleaves. Skills and Training; Staff are trained and refreshed in a range of qualifications. Through the Highland Small Communities Building Trust, we provide an apprentice opportunity for a part time For- estry Student. With the Grantown Grammar School, we work with 1st and 2nd years to gain their John Muir Award, and are about to provide long term work experience opportunities for three young people, all of which live in either Boat of Garten or Nethybridge. A long term volunteer position is available each winter, which includes receiving formal training. We have pro- vided a venue for some local training courses. Food and Drink; Coffee machine in the Osprey Centre. Veni- son is sold to a local game dealer and we are working towards having our venison Quality Assured. Low Carbon Cairngorms; Forest expansion is a major project, where we aim to double to woodland area. The trees will stabi- lise the ground, and be a store of carbon themselves. Mire resto- ration is also a major project on the reserve, which seeks to hold thousands of tons of carbon within the existing peatland, and to increase that by allowing the mire areas to restore themselves through maintaining higher water levels. All contract work is done by local contractors. Gold Green Tourism awarded at the Osprey Centre. We have improved the efficiency of Forest Lodge through the fitting of secondary glazing and are working towards replacing the cavity wall insulation. Building vibrant places: The aim is to almost double the area of wooded landscape, making a woodland area that is more robust in the face of climatic changes, disease, fire, and other cata- strophic events. This will, in turn, create a greater habitat for many of the species already living on Abernethy, and a larger for- est for the general public to enjoy. 2: A special place for people and nature with natural and cultural heritage enhanced Abernethy is an NNR, has two SAC’s, three SPA’s, three SSSI’s, and has a RAMSAR Site, it lies entirely within the Cairngorms National Park. It is known to be home to around 4800 species.