The River Don Trust has teamed up with volunteers from Bibby Offshore, a subsea installation provider for operators worldwide, to deliver and expedite practical restoration works as part of the Trust’s ongoing initiative to improve the physical habitat of the Don catchment.

This co-operation has already achieved, in the last few months, barrier clearance and easement to improve fish migration as well as invasive plant control. Further works are planned in the coming months including more obstacle easements, invasive plant control and tree planting.

River Don Trust Biologist Jamie Urquhart explained: “This relationship is of great benefit to all involved. It really is a ‘win, win’ situation. We are able to push ahead promptly with practical improvements to promote biodiversity. The volunteers, who show great enthusiasm and dedication, have the opportunity to learn new skills whilst undertaking some moderate exercise and seeing immediate practical improvements as a result of their efforts in the great outdoors.”

Mr Urquhart continued: “We are ambitious in our goals and there is no doubt that we will be able to complete restoration projects, many of which are labour-intensive, far more quickly with the invaluable help of dedicated volunteers, such as those from Bibby Offshore. We would welcome hearing from anyone who would also like to assist with important works aimed at restoring habitat and improving future fish numbers.”

Gary Sutherland, Dive Technician at Bibby Offshore, added: “As a volunteer helping the Don Trust with its projects, I found the day a great experience and look forward to participating in further events later in the year. I think all the Bibby volunteers who took part enjoyed themselves and were proud of what they achieved.”

Bibby Offshore has also signed up enthusiastically to the Trust’s first-ever Salmon in the Office programme, which it is running in conjunction with the popular Salmon in the Classroom programme. This has provided the Trust with a unique opportunity to increase awareness of its work with both staff and visitors to Bibby Offshore – through the installation of a fish tank set up in the foyer of the company’s Aberdeen office – and how volunteering can have a highly positive on the Don catchment and its fish stocks.