Project Title:

Dunnottar Woodland Park

Description:

Fullfilling the potential of Dunnottar Woods through promotion and educational material prepared by Dunnottar Woodland Park Authority (DWPA)

Objectives:

Demonstrate the unique way a community group promotes the assets and opportunities of the woods to locals and visitors

Demonstrate the unique way a community group educates school children and local groups to highlight the sustainable aspects of the woods.

Community Involvement in safeguarding and promoting the future of Dunnottar Woods

Process/Stages:

Historic: The Dunnottar Woodland Park project is a partnership between the Stonehaven community, Forest Enterprise and Aberdeenshire Council.  The Dunnottar Woodland Park Association is constituted to assist in the management of the Wood for the benefit of the local community of Stonehaven.

Promotional and educational material was identified as needed to assist in achieving these objectives.

April 2007: DWPA create focus groups to aid with

·         Schools Educational Pack

·         Website Development

·         Interpretation

·         Promotion

May – June 2007: Developing the project involving:

·         Educational Pack – prepared with assistance from local primary schools

·         Website Development – Bought domain name and webmaster appointed and developed and populated site

·         Interpretation – Tree Boards developed with assistance of teachers from the local secondary school

·         Promotion – brought together pictures of the woods to make in to postcards

July 2007: Completion of the projects.

Outcomes/Results:

·         Raised profile of the Woods within the community and visitors

·         Increased School visits to the woods -  part of their curriculum

·         Increased youth ownership of the wood leading to a reduction in vandalism

·         Increased demand for guided Ranger events

·         Increased enthusiasm from the community leading to a “bodging group” (traditional green wood working) being created.

Outputs

• Schools Educational Pack – pupils and teachers leaflet
• Website Development – www.dunnottarwoods.org
• Interpretation – Tree Board Interpretation
• Promotion – 8000 postcards produced.

Learning Points:

• DWPA, an exemplary management group providing a replicable mechanism for management of community woodlands or assets.
• Need to provide sufficient time and support for community groups to deliver complex projects.
• Savings achieved by utilisation of skills within group to achieve high impact results at a relatively low cost.

Contact Information:

Craig Stewart, Environment Planner (Projects), Viewmount, Arduthie Road, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, (tel 01569 768288).