Aberdeenshire Council is continuing to support biodiversity projects across the region having agreed to renew its partnerships dedicated to restoring wildlife habitats and improving river health.
The decisions to renew collaborative efforts with the North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership (NESBiP) and the Dee Catchment Partnership (DCP) were taken at Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee on 27 November 2025.
Local authorities have a duty under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 to further the conservation of biodiversity. These partnerships play a key role in delivering practical biodiversity improvements through joined-up work between many organisations throughout Aberdeenshire.
Cllr Alan Turner, Chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, said: “Healthy ecosystems benefit everyone, from farmers and businesses to families enjoying our countryside. Working together is the best way to protect Aberdeenshire’s biodiversity and ensure it thrives for generations to come."
NESBiP aims to empower communities and develop joined-up approaches to tackling biodiversity threats. In the past two years, NESBiP has organised more than 30 events, reaching more than 500 individuals. Included among the events were six community workshops on wildflower meadow creation to support biodiversity, in which more than 70% of the participants were new to the partnership - further expanding its reach.
The DCP exists to restore naturally functioning ecosystems within the rivers, burns, and lochs in the river Dee catchment. The DCP has been involved in a variety of activities, including using wood to improve riverlife, “camera trapping” wildlife to see the success of restored habitats, supporting community groups to monitor local watercourses, and numerous collaborative site management and habitat improvement projects.
For more information about the Aberdeenshire Council’s biodiversity and conservation efforts, visit www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/environment