Young people set for Flow Country volunteering role

THIRTEEN young people from the UK and overseas will arrive next week to take part in a special volunteering experience at RSPB Scotland Forsinard Flows National Nature Reserve.

The Flow Country has been chosen for a World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) Programme under the framework of the Unesco World Heritage Education Programme.

It is the only project in the UK to be chosen this year and is part of the Flow Country’s World Heritage Project – an initiative funded by the Peatlands Partnership which is seeking to secure World Heritage Site status for the Flow Country.

Thanks to the WHV, young people under the age of 30 from all over the world were invited to apply for a residential placement at the Forsinard reserve from August 12-23. There were 13 places available and the successful applicants will be arriving in the coming days.

The volunteers, from France, Denmark, Norway, Spain and Switzerland as well as the UK, will experience this unique landscape for themselves, learn about its international importance, and help to conserve it.

During their visit, the World Heritage Volunteers will be helping RSPB Scotland staff to re-wet the peatland at Forsinard through drain-blocking, removing non-native trees and monitoring the health of the bog.

We look forward to introducing them not only to the peatlands but also some of the culture.

On Wednesday they will be treated to a special performance of traditional Scottish music from the musicians taking part in the Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail.

Scotland’s Natural Larder, an initiative from Scottish Natural Heritage, will be there to provide food made from ingredients found in the Flow Country. This free event at the Forsinard visitor centre is open to members of the public from 2pm-4pm.

Claire Foot-Turner, warden at RSPB Scotland Forsinard Flows, said: “We are delighted to be hosting the Unesco young people volunteers to the Flow Country. We look forward to introducing them not only to the peatlands but also some of the culture. We will be holding a ceilidh in the Halladale Hall at 7pm on August 14 with music from the Fèis Rois young musicians and will be open to the public as well."

There is an entry charge of £7, or £5 for concessions, to cover costs.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.