New Bennachie trail focusses on climate change
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A new trail at Bennachie is examining the effects of climate change on the planet.
Ahead of COP26 in Glasgow, the trail has been set up near the Bennachie Visitor Centre at Chapel of Garioch.
It has been installed by the conservation charity the Bailies of Bennachie which is running two free tours this coming weekend.
They will start from the visitor centre on Saturday, October 9 at 10.30am and Sunday, October 10 at 2pm and there is no need to book.
The charity is also offering bespoke tours of the trail for any group interested. It will take up to an hour and will allow a discussion of the climate crisis and what everyone can do to help.
Bailies wildlife group co-ordinator Jill Matthews said: “The over-arching message of the trail is that nature helps us with climate change, but nature can’t do enough, and we have to change our ways like reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases.
"The trail encircles the area of woodland needed to capture the carbon footprint of the average UK citizen.
"Displayed along it are various everyday items of food, home life and travel. The amount of woodland needed to capture the carbon footprint of each item is marked with ropes. At the end visitors are encouraged to calculate their own carbon footprint and decide how they can take action."
The trail is on an existing path very close to the Bennachie Visitor Centre. The ground is fairly level, so it is accessible to people of all abilities.
It is open to visitors all the time, but volunteers doing the guided tours will be able to explain more about the art installations along the way. It is temporary and will be dismantled in November after COP26 is finished.
It was set up by local volunteers who wanted to draw attention to climate change. These include staff from Forestry and Land Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council ranger service, as well as members of the Bailies of Bennachie.
Any group who would like to book a guided walk on the trail can contact climatechange.bennachie@btinternet.com
