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AUCHTERELLON SCHOOL, ELLON

PRESENTED BY HEAD TEACHER AUCHTERELLON SCHOOL

FYVIE SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY
A great deal has been done in the school grounds, not only by the pupils of the school, but by the whole community. Tree planting around the school grounds incorporating willow sculptures (assisted by the Buchan Countryside Group), wildflower planting, environmental education and much more. We would like to stress that this was done by pupils, teachers, members of the community, Fyvie School Board and PTA with help and funding from various organisations.

CLACHNABEN FOOTPATH TRUST – JIM MAISON
The Trust, formed in 1997 is a good example of what can be achieved by a group of individuals who care deeply about certain aspects of our environment. It aims to provide for the long term repair and preservation of the footpath leading to Clachnaben on the Glen Dye Estate. Around 10,000 people a year climb the tor and had caused the path to become badly eroded and acting as a fast running stream. The work of the Trust will enable a large number of visitors to the area in future the opportunity to enjoy the open countryside without further damaging the areas delicate environment.

UGIE WETLAND PROJECT
The Ugie Wetland Project is an excellent example of how agencies and landowners/farmers can work together and protect and enhance the countryside of Aberdeenshire. The project aimed to demonstrate how to make more efficient use of fertilisers and manure’s and minimise losses to watercourses by promoting nutrient budgets on the farm. It also aimed to demonstrate sound watercourse and wetland management through the take up of the SERAD Countryside Premium Scheme. This scheme provides grant aid for a number of conservation measures including the establishment of uncultivated buffer strips next to rivers, burns and ditches on the farm. The project was handled in a sensitive and consultative way ensuring that all parties were involved, to maximise the benefits of the project. It has provided a good basis for other river/riparian initiatives to work from.

OLD DEER COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
The project the creation of a linking pathway from the village of Old Deer to the Formartine and Buchan Way. This enable residents to make a circular walk around the village and Aden Country Park passing by a row of beautiful old beech and oak trees and meandering along the side of the Ugie. Local people are now able to get out and about in the countryside without having to walk along busy public roads.

YONDERTON
The Henderson family of Yonderton, near Hatton has, for a number of years been improving wildlife habitats around their two farms. They began by planting hedges and copses of woodland and progressed to restoring old woodlands, creating a wildflower meadow, wetlands and a wildlife pond. They have now created links between these habitats using water and field margins. They also have fragments of lowland raised bog, which they manage to maximise the wildlife value.

NEWMACHAR GOLF COURSE
This new golf course has been built around an existing landscape incorporating many old trees, watercourses and wetlands. Ponds have been created to add to the diversity and additional tree planting has further enhanced the area. An environmental management plan has been written to protect and enhance the wildlife potential. The course now provides an exciting mix of amenity, recreation and habitats which merge together exceptionally well allowing users to appreciate their surroundings.

DALUAINE
This garden on the outskirts of Rhynie and developed by Mrs Crichton Maitland shows how exotic and native, informal and formal can blend together to provide an exciting mix of atmospheres for both wildlife and people to enjoy. Mrs Crichton Maitland shows a keen interest in wildlife and incorporates fun, nostalgia and pleasure into the area. The walled garden is formal but incorporates many native species, the lower garden is an arboretum in the making and merges into the river below where otters play in the clear water. Mrs Crichton Maitland is keen to carry on developing the area along the course of the river for the enjoyment of the local people connecting the village her lovely gardens and beyond.