Cairngorms NPA Vacancy - Land Management Advisor

Land Management Adviser 

Full time (37.5 hours/week), permanent contract, based in Grantown-on-Spey.  Band D (£27,374 - £32,951)

The Cairngorms National Park Authority is looking for a Land Management Adviser to develop strong working relationships with farmers and land managers in the Park. This includes developing and co-ordinating a new programme of advice and support leading to SRDP (Scotland Rural Development Programme) uptake; facilitating further development of the Farmers Forum; and other initiatives to help land managers operate effectively. The successful applicant will have understanding and experience of land management activities in the National Park, as well as knowledge of SRDP.

For a detailed job description and application pack, or if you require any adjustments to be made to the application process due to disability, please contact Laura Grant on 01479 870500 or email recruitment@cairngorms.co.uk. The closing date for receipt of completed applications is noon on Friday 14 September and interviews will be held on Monday 8 October.

Windfarms and Minerals: Exploring benefits for biodiversity and communities in South Lanarkshire

South Lanarkshire Biodiversity Partnership 2012 Conference and Funding Fair

When: 26^th September 

Where: Hamilton Racecourse

Price: Free

The South Lanarkshire Biodiversity Partnership will be holding their second conference on 26 September at Hamilton Racecourse.  The event will be looking at renewable energy developments and how they can benefit both biodiversity and the communities that host them.

The development and implementation of habitat management plans has brought large areas of land under positive management for biodiversity and gives us a unique opportunity to implement ecosystem restoration and management at a landscape scale. Mineral restoration plans offer another avenue to secure gains for biodiversity when on-site operations are complete.

Many windfarm operators also contribute to community grant funds. These funds are available to community groups and offer further opportunities for the enhancement of biodiversity at a local level.

This conference aims to bring together windfarm and mineral site operators, ecologists, environmental organisations and community groups. The event will be split into two sessions, with delegates free to attend either session or come along for the full day.

The morning session will provide a forum for the sharing of experience in Habitat Management Plan development and implementation, learn from those who have experienced some of the problems of large scale habitat restoration and management and highlight examples of good practice at operational sites.

The afternoon session is especially geared towards local communities and volunteer groups. 

To attend please contact:  

Siân Williams, 

Biodiversity Officer, South Lanarkshire Council. 

Email: sian.williams@southlanarkshire.gsx.gov.uk. Tel: 01698 426213

New SCA Director appointed

The Countryside Alliance has announced that Jamie Stewart is to take up the role of Director of the Scottish Countryside Alliance in early September.

 

As Director Jamie's role will be diverse. He will liaise with politicians regarding legislation affecting rural Scotland, and his role will also include frontline membership, media, campaigning and fundraising work.

 

Jamie, who is originally from Argyll has worked for the Countryside Alliance for a year as a specialist shooting consultant and is MD of Westcountry Wildlife Services - a wildlife consultancy and training enterprise. Jamie is an experienced game and deer manager with a lifetime's experience of managing wildlife and habitat in the UK. Previously Jamie was Director South West England for the British Association for Shooting and Conservation. His experience of rural life and business make him the ideal choice to lead and develop the Scottish Countryside Alliance.

 

Jamie commented: "I am delighted to be joining the Scottish Countryside Alliance and look forward to working with the team to promote and defend the beautiful Scottish Countryside. Rural Scotland and its people face many challenges from isolation to high fuel prices, poor broadband connectivity and various threats to our country sports. I look forward to working hard on our members' behalf and to meeting as many as possible as I get stuck into my new role. I will be working closely with our experienced political and campaigns teams in London to tailor campaigns specifically for Scottish interests and am also really looking forward to promoting rural businesses and produce through our popular and established Scottish Countryside Alliance Awards."

Galloway & South Ayrshire Biosphere - launch

I attended the launch by Richard Lochhead of the Galloway & South Ayrshire Biosphere at Culzean Castle, yesterday.  

The biosphere provides the area with a great opportunity, and I have offered support from the Forum for any initiatives that affect the large upland area that exists within the biosphere.  See the website for more information about the biosphere.

JHI Debate: The Squeezed Middle - 30 Aug 12

Photo: JHI

I will be representing the Moorland Forum on the panel for this first debate in the series.  See the Heather Trust's blog.