School pupils attending classes near a popular Local Nature Reserve are teaming up with an international energy company and the area’s Rangers to improve it for visitors and regular users.
Westhill’s Arnhall Moss is used by the local community for walking, learning and sporting activities.
Designated as a Local Nature Reserve in 1992, it is owned and managed by Aberdeenshire Council.
Elrick Primary School, Aberdeenshire Ranger Service and international energy company TAQA, which has its UK office based in Westhill, have been developing plans to improve it.
Arnhall Moss is a valuable local asset, enjoyed by a variety of people including walkers, dog walkers and office workers who use the area at lunchtime to enjoy the peace and tranquility.
It is also used regularly by local schools and groups and with the help of the Ranger Service they learn about their local environment and how to identify a wide range of species.
Looking at maps from the 1800s it was undoubtedly a Moss in the past, but it has dried out over many years and trees, mainly birch, have colonised the area.
The diversity of the woodland is increased by having an open glade with heathland vegetation, so ongoing management of the Moss means clearing birch saplings and shrubs to keep the heathland glade open.
The improvement project is starting with a couple of launch events to give both school pupils and TAQA employees a chance to familiarise themselves with the area.
The first event is an evening bat watch for some Elrick Primary School families, led by the Ranger Service and two surveyors from the North East Bat Group.
This will be an informal walk where different types of species of bats will be discussed – a variety of bat detectors and monitoring recorders will be available to use on the night. Bat habitats and roosts will be discussed, as well as the legislation relating to bats.
The second event will be a litter-pick and removal of birch seedlings by TAQA employees and school pupils.
Following these events, pupils will begin to develop a discovery trail for visitors to follow through the moss, allowing them to look for some of the trees, plants, animals and minibeasts living in this area.
Once developed, the trail will be available to any family, community or school groups wishing to explore the area.
These events and the development of the trail are financially supported by TAQA.
Samantha Silvers, corporate communications manager at TAQA, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work in partnership with Elrick Primary School and the Aberdeenshire Ranger Service on an education project which aims to engage primary school pupils in the value and importance of the Arnhall Moss Nature Reserve.
“We anticipate that the installation of the Discovery Trail and quiz will be a great sense of achievement for the primary school children who are involved in its creation; and furthermore that it will be of interest and use to the wider Westhill community.”
Headteacher of Elrick School, Andrea Drummond, said: “This is a great project between the school, TAQA and Aberdeenshire’s Ranger Service to encourage pupils to learn more about their local environment and to have the opportunity to develop a resource for others to use in the future.
“As well as having the chance to attend the bat evening event and litter pick/removal of seedlings sessions, the pupils will be able to develop their skills and knowledge, linking this to the curriculum and the wider world of work.”
Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Garioch Area Committee, Fergus Hood, added: “It’s great to see a partnership like this develop, bringing different parts of the local community together to work on a shared interest for the benefit of everyone.
“Clearly we have to thank TAQA for all their support in making this possible and I hope everyone involved has a great experience while improving this area for the community.”