Ythan Project
The Ythan Project was a partnership project which aimed to protect, restore and enhance the river Ythan in Aberdeenshire. The project had three main aims:
- to include local people in the work being undertaken and the decisions being made
- to undertake restoration work to improve the river environment at key locations
- to work with farmers on river-related issues
The project was part funded by the European Commission's Life Environment and also by the various organisations involved in the project, which include:
- Aberdeenshire Council
- Forest Enterprise
- Formartine Partnership
- Macaulay Land Use Research Institute
- the River Restoration Centre
- Scottish Environment Protection Agency
- NatureScot
- the Ythan District Fishery Board
The project was funded from August 2001 to February 2005.River restoration work has been undertaken at various locations around the river catchment area, and has included:
- the creation of a spawning bed for sea trout
- the removal of over-shadowing conifer trees
- the planting of broad-leaved trees at a number of river-side locations
Software has been produced to assist local farmers in undertaking nutrient budgets on their farms, and farmers have also been given advice and assistance with applying to agri-environment schemes.
Local people were involved in many aspects of the project. Awareness raising and education were important.
Aberdeenshire Council was responsible for:
- helping with the administration of the project
- helping with the management of the project's finances
- providing advice on some of the environmental issues the project covers
- providing advice on flood prevention issues