Hutton Highlights, June 2019

An eight-year-old campaigner, a social media whizz kid, a budding nature detective and several keen camera trappers were all recognised recently as 2019 Young Wildlife Champions by the North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership, in a drive to celebrate the contribution of youngsters to the protection of biodiversity in the North East. Also marking the end of Scotland’s Year of Young People, the awards were presented by Gillian Martin MSP at Hutton Aberdeen, at the Partnership’s annual seminar which included talks by young people on citizen science and conservation action in the region. The young people, including some as young as eight, are ‘dynamic and inspirational’ in the words of Partnership co-ordinator Rose Toney who expressed delight in recognising the efforts of young wildlife champions: “Each and every one has a heartening, and in some cases humbling, story to tell.” Several MSPs attended the event to celebrate growing public understanding of why biodiversity is so important to all of us. We are fortunate to have an outstanding natural environment and safeguarding our amazing biodiversity is something that all ages can, and should, be involved in, Toney said. “When all these individual efforts are joined together, it can have a very powerful impact”. The awards were open to the public to nominate Young Champions involved in all aspects of biodiversity, from celebrating wildlife through art to communicating important messages via social media, and volunteering in practical conservation action through to mentoring other up-and- coming biodiversity champions. As well as the Institute, supporters of the Partnership and the awards include Scotland’s Natural Heritage, RSPB, Forestry Commission Scotland, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray councils, Celebrating the North East’s 2019 Young Wildlife Champions The North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership is one of four pilot partnerships set up 20 years ago and is actively supported by a range of organisations, as well as agencies, groups and individuals. Its work follows the aims and objectives set out in the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, 2020 Challenge for Scotland’s Biodiversity and Scotland’s Biodiversity a Route Map to 2020. The Strategy and Route Map highlight the need to protect biodiversity for both its own sake but also because of the benefits the environment gives us such as the contribution of biodiversity to the Scottish economy (over £21.5 billion annually) and insect pollination services (valued at £43m per year). Performance from local school children at the event Comments? In urbanised European societies, the role of forests in providing commodities, welfare, health and other social benefits is easily forgotten. But not in Aberdeen: the Granite City has been awarded the title of European Forest City for 2019 by the European Forest Institute (EFI) and is set to celebrate the versatility, significance and social impact of its forests throughout the year. Forests support the sustainability of critical resources like water and soil, and play a key role in adaptation and mitigation to climate change. They cover 35% of the pan-European landscape, hosting an important share of biodiversity and providing products and services which support the resilience of rural areas and the wellbeing of urban ones. The city was officially presented with the title by EFI Director, Dr Marc Palahí, at an event held at the Institute’s Craigiebuckler site. Dr Palahí said the award was established to recognise cities committed to forests and trees as well as to forest research and education and that Aberdeen deserved this award for many different reasons: “First and most obvious because of the city relationship with forests and trees. The four great forests around Aberdeen provide crucial environmental, social and economic benefits to its citizens. In addition, the city council has taken important actions regarding the tree coverage of the city; maintaining existing trees and plating new ones, for instance within the project ‘a tree for every citizen’. “In a digital era, when cities are investing heavily in sophisticated technologies and digitalisation, we should remember that nature is the ultimate sophistication.” The Lord Provost, Barney Crockett, accepted the award. Being awarded European Forest City for 2019 means Aberdeen is in illustrious company with previous recipients such as Oslo, St Petersburg and Vienna. “As well as being a magnificent accolade for the city, the award is a reflection of the wonderful forested landscape we have right here on our own doorstep and its importance to the everyday lives of Aberdonians, not to mention the planet’s climate”, the Provost said. From 2014, the European Forest Institute has granted the title of ‘European Forest City’ to the city which Aberdeen named European Forest City 2019 hosts the EFI Annual Conference. The James Hutton Institute is host of this year’s event in Aberdeen in September. The conference’s scientific sessions will focus on the role of plantation and native forests in delivering multiple ecosystem benefits in the face of a changing climate. It will be delivered in partnership with the Institute of Chartered Foresters, and with the support of Visit Scotland and the Aberdeen Convention & Events Bureau. For more information about the 2019 EFI Annual Conference visit the EFI website . Colin Campbell, Barney Crocket and Dr Marc Palahí with the award 4 Hutton Highlights News Highlights The James Hutton Institute’s ongoing commitment to advancing the careers of women in science and technology has been recognised through the award of Athena SWAN Bronze status to November 2022. The Athena SWAN Charter acknowledges dedication to the advancement of gender equality in academia, addressing unequal gender representation across academic disciplines, professional and support functions, and Bronze institutional awards recognise that the relevant institution has a solid foundation for eliminating gender bias and developing an inclusive culture that values all staff. The James Hutton Institute was one of the first Research Institutes to achieve Athena SWAN Bronze status in 2014. Since then, the assessment criteria have been ramped up and Hutton has committed significant and increasing effort to the promotion of equality and diversity. Hutton Athena SWAN commitment awarded Bronze status to 2022 June 2019 5 Advance HE’s Athena SWAN Charter was originally established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine employment in higher education and research. It now includes addressing gender equality more broadly, not just the barriers to progression that affect women, and extends to non-STEM subjects and to the communities that provide professional and support staff.