This is great news for all partners involved in this river restoration project.

The partnership tasked with looking after the river Dee catchment in north east Scotland is a finalist in the Inspiring Aberdeenshire Awards.

Shortlisted for the Beautiful Aberdeenshire Environmental Award, the Dee Catchment Partnership’s recent Easter Beltie burn restoration project near Torphins was recognised for ‘helping to nurture and enhance the region’s natural beauty though environmental initiatives.’

Dee Catchment Partnership Manager, Dr Susan Cooksley, led the three-month long Beltie burn restoration project with River Operations Manager for the Dee District Salmon Fishery Board, Edwin Third.

She said: “We’re delighted to be a finalist.”Our partnership exists to promote, facilitate and deliver collaborative projects that conserve the unique biodiversity and natural beauty of Deeside.“The restoration at Easter Beltie is doing exactly that creating a new area of wild beauty that has created habitat for a rich diversity of wildlife.”

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