Charlotte Milburn from the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) reflects on the man-made and natural pressures on our wild land and how conservation volunteering can help.
I was walking out in the Cairngorms over the Easter holidays and as always was struck by the immense beauty of the mountains, they never fail to inspire and elevate me above the day to day dross of life in the 21st century.
The Cairngorms National Park is one of the UK’s last true wildernesses, a place of sheer abundance. It has more high level mountain ground than anywhere else in Britain or Ireland, the largest Caledonian forest, some of the UK’s purest rivers and it also hosts 25 per cent of the UK’s threatened species. It is a place of tremendous biodiversity, but sadly even here biodiversity loss is taking place and immediate action is needed to halt the decline.
December 2015 brought Storm Frank to the Cairngorms National Park and the effect on the village of Ballater in Royal Deeside was widely reported by the media. What was not reported by the media however was the devastating effect on wildlife. The immense surge of water from the Dee and its tributaries changed the course of the river and damaged habitats, in particular those of the salmon and the endangered fresh water pearl mussel.
The River Dee at Ballater
Conservation work has been ongoing for some time to plant trees in the upper catchment area of the Dee. Trees are vital for species like the freshwater pearl mussel and salmon because they provide shade, reducing water temperatures, stabilise riverbanks and prevent erosion. They also help to store rainwater in the land to reduce flooding and of course create leaf litter which provides food chain for the invertebrates that salmon feed on.
Last month some of the staff at the CNPA spent a day volunteering high up on the Balmoral Estate to try and repair some of the damage left by Storm Frank. On a cold crisp March day 5 CNPA staff members ventured up the Gleder Burn to help clear the “Pearls in Peril” enclosures of debris bought down by the burn when it burst its banks. These enclosures shelter young trees that will one day provide dappled shade over the burn helping regulate the temperature and provide food for young salmon and a save heaven for freshwater peril mussels. Fuelled by an endless supply of cupcakes and rewarded with fine views of Lochnagar the staff cleared about 15 enclosures from the Gelder Sheil bothy down towards the forest.
Adam Streeter-Smith was one of the volunteers, he said; “It’s been many years since I have taken part in conservation volunteering, not only has it been hugely enjoyable to be out in this stunning landscape, but knowing that what I am doing will have a direct benefit to endangered species just gives that extra glow inside”
Another unsung but vitally important area of work is undertaken by Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust (COAT) who deliver path projects such as the Mountains and People Project. The project aims to engage those who live in and visit our National Parks in the protection of the fragile upland mountain environments through a programme of upland path maintenance and conservation activities.
Thousands of people head to the mountains each year to enjoy their unique benefits, but how many of them consider giving something back and make time to help to keep the miles of pathways open for all to enjoy?
Paths are a vital part of accessing the wilder parts of the Cairngorms National Park, the landscape is extremely fragile and much damage is done through erosion when people stray from them. During nesting season it is even more important that hikers and mountain bikers do not go ‘off-piste’ and disturb the ground nesting birds and their chicks.
Path at the northern end of the Lairig Ghru
Last year Grace Moir received the 25,000th John Muir Award to be completed through the Cairngorms National Park Authority, she had experienced many difficulties in life and found healing through volunteering on path restoration projects, speaking to The National last year she said; “I was a support worker but towards the end I just gave up on everything, gave up on myself. Being outside is good for the soul. The work has been very therapeutic. I’ve been working outside laying paths in all weathers – as long as the Land Rover made it up the hill, we were there.”
Grace Moir is not alone in her experience, there’s good evidence that volunteering brings benefits to both the person volunteering and the people and organisations they support. Research was undertaken by Volunteering England with the University of Wales and it clearly shows a range of health benefits to the volunteer such as reduction in depression, increase in self esteem, a sense of purpose and better family relations.
The next time you have a spare day to head to the mountains, instead of planning a walk through them, why not plan to stop and stay awhile and give something back by joining a volunteering project. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The future depends on what we do in the present.” An obvious statement perhaps but how far will you let it take you?
There are many opportunities to get involved in conservation projects in the Cairngorms National Park. The Cairngorms Nature Festival 14-15 May has a few sessions which you can join to give you a taste of volunteering in this amazing place including two days working on paths near Braemar as part of the Mountains and the People project. Visit the Festival website for more information.