Nicky Penford, FWAG - 2007
Has worked tirelessly to promote conservation issues and get real beneficial actions achieved on the ground. She has been a farm conservation adviser
covering the Grampian area for the last 15 years, working for the Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG). In this role she has delivered practical
on-farm advice to farmers covering all aspects of sustainable farming. The main focus of her work has been on habitat creation and management, species
conservation, delivering Biodiversity Action Plans, forestry, landscape design and conservation.
As well as ponds and riparian management, she has been involved in the creation of numerous wildflower meadows, hedges, native woodlands, access
provisions, etc. She has devised species-recovery projects to help an array of wildlife many of which have made real differences to the number of
these species now breeding in the NE.
She also organises an annual series of farm walks for farmers and general members of the public to demonstrate what can be achieved for local
wildlife by integrating commercial farming with conservation and to raise awareness of environmental issues. Nicky is one of the leaders of the
local Watch group, taking children out to engage in and experience nature first-hand. She is soon to leave 'active conservation' as a FWAG adviser
and embark on a career as lecturer for the Scottish Agricultural College in Environmental Land Management.
A partnership between the charity PEP Ltd and Aberdeenshire Council, the Pitscurry site comprises a wide range of environmental works including:
Community composting site - Recycling from waste wood to make fuel and kindling - Gardening for wildlife, with bee-keeping - Demonstration of
sustainable technology including biofuels - Production of organic fuel and vegetables - training opportunities offered as part of these
activities - Registered as a site for curricular excellence exercises. Pep is always looking for volunteers!
Portlethen Academy Green Team - 2002
This group, made up junior and senior pupils plus two staff members, cares for the range of plants within the school, these include large eucalyptus
plants within the central Atrium. Spider plants are propagated and distributed throughout classrooms and public areas to create cleaner air,
particularly for allergy sufferers, surplus plants sold as 'scary spiders' to raise funds at Halloween. Recycled materials are used to create
Christmas decorations and wreaths. Pantomime costumes utilising recycled materials could provide serious competition for Stella McCartney
On the outskirts of the city, surrounded by housing development, the Group have maintained and enhanced the Moss, creating a vital wildlife habitat
used and enjoyed by the community and the local schools.
Portlethen Moss is a rare area of natural raised acidic bog supporting a unique variety of plant and animal species; over the years it has been
subject to development pressures, consequently much of what was the Moss has now been lost. The group works to preserve what is left of this
environmentally sensitive area and the unique flora and fauna that it supports and is endeavouring to gain Local Nature Reserve status. With
Aberdeenshire Ranger Service they have carried out the following community events - moths on the moss, litter pick up, significant tree & hedgerow
planting, various guided tours, ECO walk for Portlethen Primary School.
Designed two interpretation boards for the Moss, providing information for visitors and colour photographs of plant and animal species all taken on
the Moss.
There is a lack of woodland in the area, the Group has recently taken on board a second major environmental project, creation of a 'natural/native'
Community Woodland, including areas of wildflower planting, extensive hedgerows and an outdoor classroom - it is documented that. Planning permission
was received and the first stages of the transformation have taken place by way of pathways and entrance gates. Worked with the Forestry Commission
and Aberdeenshire Ranger to coordinate the local schools involvement in the design of the area. The first stage of tree planting is planned for early
2010.
Secured project funding from - Talisman Energy (ongoing pledge of £10k per year for the next 2-3 years), Shell, Petrofac, WIAT, Kincardine and
Mearns Area Partnership.
Created a website which provides information on the group and its projects
A celebration of maritime skills and traditional small boat building in the UK and particularly the North East of Scotland. Based in and around both
the old and new harbour areas of the town plus Loch Soy the festival brings together craft which have been constructed using traditional methods and
materials. Demonstrations of traditional skills, crafts and cultural activities form an integral part of the festival as does preparation and
consumption of locally produced foods (and some liquids!)
Prop Of Ythsie - 1993 (Green Gordon Award)
Gordon District Council's Planning Department for its pond and park works near the restored monument at Tarves
PUT Community Co-operative run a successful 'bring-to' green waste site based in the former Allathan quarry on the outskirts of Pitmedden. Covering the
settlements of Pitmedden, Udny and Tarves for the last three years, PUT have diverted from landfill between 150 and 250 tonnes each year (a total of
600 tonnes). All material is composted on site and the product is then available for the use of community groups and the general public. Income
generated from the enterprise is ploughed back into the co-operative with any surplus dispersed to the community via the two local Community
Councils. All the members are unpaid volunteers
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