The team at leading estate and lettings agency Northwood North East swapped all things property for wellies and gloves as they spent a morning working alongside the River Dee Trust learning about the challenges facing one of Scotland’s most iconic rivers.
Hosted by the Trust’s expert team, the Northwood staff took part in an educational session as part of its annual Team Building Day. The focus was on invasive non-native species that threaten the health of the River Dee and its surrounding habitats.
They learned about Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed, both of which were originally introduced to the UK by the Victorians as ornamental garden plants. Over time, these species have spread extensively along riverbanks, outcompeting native vegetation, increasing erosion and posing significant challenges to the biodiversity of the river.
The Northwood team then rolled up their sleeves and joined River Dee Trust volunteers in removing Himalayan Balsam from a stretch of the riverbank. By tackling the plant before it sets seed, the team helped reduce its spread and support the restoration of native biodiversity along the river.
The River Dee Trust – One Million Trees campaign
The River Dee Trust works to protect, restore and enhance the river and its surrounding habitats through habitat restoration, tree planting, invasive species control and community engagement.
The volunteering session builds on Northwood North East’s ongoing partnership with the Trust through its award-winning One Million Trees campaign. Last year, Northwood pledged to donate a ‘bouquet’ of 25 native trees for every house sold or let in the Deeside area. To date, they have donated 21 bouquets of trees, helping to restore woodland across the River Dee’s vast catchment.
Each bouquet comprises native species including Willow, Rowan, Birch, Alder and Aspen, carefully selected to give them the best chance of thriving, particularly in the challenging conditions of the upper Cairngorms where many of the trees are planted.
Fun and Games at Deeside Activity Park
After a rewarding morning, the team enjoyed an afternoon of team building at Deeside Activity Park at Dess, where colleagues took part in activities including archery and go-karting, with some friendly rivalry emerging as the team’s competitive spirit revealed itself.
Laura Mearns, Owner and Director of Northwood North East, said: “We had a fantastic time with the team from the River Dee Trust. They gave us a real insight into the environmental challenges facing the river and the practical work being undertaken to protect it.
“We all agreed how rewarding it was to get involved directly by helping remove Himalayan Balsam, and we’re proud that our One Million Trees partnership continues to make a positive contribution to the long-term health of the Dee catchment.
“The afternoon at Deeside Activity Park was a great way to round off the day. There was a lot of laughter and more than a healthy dose of competition. It was an ideal opportunity for the team to spend time together outside the office while reinforcing the strong team culture we have at Northwood.”
