Project Title: The Access and Biodiversity Strategy forms part of the overall strategy and forms the basis for decision –making and action by a range of partners. This is now being carried forward into implementation

Description: The Access and Biodiversity Strategy links local people to the natural landscapes within and around Ellon, particularly the River Ythan and the woodlands.

Objectives:

1)     Identify existing natural and semi natural environments in and around Ellon.

2)     Identify peoples physical, cultural and mental linkages to these natural environments.

3)     Improve access and biodiversity linkages for local people with the natural environment.

Process/Stages:

1)     Audit existing natural and semi natural environments in Ellon.

2)     Audit peoples linkages to the natural environment.

3)     Identify formal and informal path networks.

4)     Identify opportunities for improving and managing the natural environment.

5)     Identify methods of involving local people in the management of the natural environments such as the River Ythan and the woodlands.

6)     Identify linkages between the natural environment and the access (paths) network.

Outcomes/Results:

• Plan of locally important natural environments. 
• Assessment of people’s linkages and values of natural environments.
• Core paths plan.
• Schedule and plan of natural environments showing management needs.
• Schedule of management activities developed with local people.
• Plans and schedule showing linkages between natural environment and paths network.

Learning Points:

• Quantify changing relationship between Ellon’s residents and natural environment.
• Establish if differences between how different residents groups eg old/young value or perceive natural environment.
• Look at different methods of developing a sense of ownership for management of natural environments.

Contact Information:

Steven Gray, Environmental Planner (Projects)