TV legend Robson Green is supporting Friends of the River Dee, a new initiative by award-winning Aberdeenshire conservation charity the River Dee Trust.
Launched to build a community championing the wellbeing of the Dee and raise vital funds to deliver nature restoration and conservation work needed in the face of ever-increasing climate related threats, Robson explains why becoming a Friend of the River Dee is close to his heart and why public support is urgently needed.
“The River Dee on Royal Deeside is special for many people, including me. But the river is under growing pressure from high temperatures and extreme weather events such as floods and droughts.
“It’s a Special Area of Conservation because of its Atlantic salmon, otters, and freshwater pearl mussels, and it’s home to many other species. The race in on to ensure its future health and restore its biodiversity.
“That’s why I’m getting behind the River Dee Trust’s campaign to build a community of supporters – the ‘Friends of the River Dee.’
“So, whether you’re a regular visitor, like me, or it’s a part of your daily life – please join me and become a Friend of the River Dee today.”
The Trust’s engagement officer, Claire Fleming adds:
“Robson is a long-term supporter of the Trust and having such a well-known voice behind Friends of the River Dee campaign is fabulous and his enthusiasm for our work is infectious.
“The River Dee is a daily feature of many of our lives – one we perhaps take for granted. Flowing through the heart of so many of our communities here in Aberdeen City and Shire whether we enjoy walks on its banks, spotting wildlife, fishing, swimming, rowing or canoeing… we all are all stakeholders in its wellbeing – and the river needs your urgent help.”
The River Dee Trust has already delivered award-winning nature restoration projects, from planting over 500,000 native trees (of its one million target) to create cooling shade for young fish and improve biodiversity in the upper river catchment. The team has also re-meandered tributaries and restored historic wetlands, removing dams and invasive species and its team continues to deliver on its ambitious restoration and conservation objectives.
Through its education programme the Trust also delivers free classroom visits and outdoor learning sessions to primary and secondary students across the region, engaging with over 3,000 children annually.
Friends of the River Dee will receive a membership certificate, quarterly updates, fun factsheets and have a tree planted for them as part of the Trust’s ongoing One Million Trees campaign. Friends will also be the first to know about upcoming community events and volunteering opportunities as well as children’s activities.
Claire continues:
“It is a challenging time financially for everyone, and the Friends initiative has been created with this in mind at a cost of £5 per month or £60 per year whether you join as an individual, household or family. We hope that Friends of the River Dee will also be a way for visitors to the area to keep up to date with what’s happening here on the Dee and remember a special visit to the area.”
The River Dee Trust
The River Dee Trust is a community-based charitable company, registered in Scotland, No. SC028497. It was set up in 1998 and is tasked with the following aims and objectives:
- To improve our knowledge of the ecology and biodiversity of the River Dee so that practical improvements and restoration of the River and the wildlife it supports can be achieved. We work in co-operation with those that have the improvement of the River at heart.
- To deliver educational information to schools, organisations and individuals living in the North East of Scotland.
Our work is guided by the principle of how we can better understand and improve the River so that we may look after it for this and future generations. To achieve these aims the River Dee Trust must raise sufficient funds so that these works can be achieved to the highest standard. With your support we will be able to meet our aims and continue looking after the Dee and the surrounding area, for many years to come.
Contact:
Debbie@riverdee.org / 07979878971 or claire@riverdee.org / 07546939086