Living Rivers Project
Living Rivers in North East Scotland
Riparian woodlands, i.e. native woodland along burns, rivers and lochsides, have a crucial role to play in establishing habitat networks within river catchments and protecting the health and productivity of our rivers. They are popular places to visit and enhance the North East landscape.
In partnership with
In 2004, Diageo Global Supply in Scotland & the Diageo Foundation supported a three year initiative with Scottish Native Woods in the North East through Diageo’s “Water of Life” programme.
The Living Rivers Project works in partnership with landowners, tenants and local communities in the North East of Scotland to:
• Restore & expand areas of native & riparian woodland within the Dee, Deveron, Spey & Lossie river catchments, safeguarding a range of UK Priority woodland habitats and associated species.
• Increase awareness amongst landowners, the general public and Diageo employees of the value of our native woodlands, including riparian woods.
Achievements and Challenges
The Living Rivers Project has more than surpassed its initial project targets.
Download the final Project report
Living Rivers.pdf
Native Woodland Restoration
Three years on from the high profile project launch the Living Rivers Project has more than surpassed its woodland management targets. Over 600 hectares (1,495 acres) of native woodland has been restored and created in the catchments of the rivers Deveron, Dee and Spey.
These cover a range of native woodland types, including five UK Priority Habitats; Upland Birchwoods, Upland Oakwoods, Upland Ashwoods, Wet Woods and Caledonian Pinewoods and their associated wildlife including Priority species black grouse and red squirrel.
Diageo Foundation and Diageo Global Supply funding for the Living Rivers Project has helped secure £33,150 of match funding from the East of Scotland European Objective 2 Programme as well as releasing over £630,000 of grant support for rural businesses in the North East to assist them in undertaking the native woodland work.
Awareness Raising
A variety of activities, such as displays, events and promotional material, were undertaken during the Project to promote the value of our native riparian woodlands.
The Living Rivers Project got off to a high profile start with the well attended Project launch by Scottish Native Woods’ Patron, broadcaster and author, Muriel Gray in October 2004 at Dullan Woods in Dufftown.
An eye-catching display using Scottish Native Woods’ display boards made of locally grown birch and ash, was used at a number of public shows and events including Treefest 2004 held at Craibstone, Aberdeen and at Turriff Agricultural Show in 2005.
One of the restored native woodlands in the River Deveron catchment hosted a demonstration event held jointly with Forestry Commission Scotland targeted at farmers and landowners to promote riparian woodland management.
Volunteering
There were opportunities at Diageo’s own woodland in Dufftown for company staff to volunteer for management activities.
In the autumn of 2004 hazel nuts were collected from Diageo’s own wood at Dufftown and grown on with the aim of planting back onto the site. During the last year of the Project, new recruits to Diageo’s volunteer group and their families were involved in two successful planting days. This included planting the hazel grown from the original nut collection made 2004.
And also .........
Diageo and the Living Rivers Project were chosen as one of the case studies in a research project entitled “Business & Biodiversity: Assessing the Practical Benefits to Business”. The research was undertaken by SNIFFER (Scotland & Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research) and funded by SEPA and the Environment Agency.
Further information on the Living Rivers Project, contact carol.robertson@scottishnativewoods.org.uk