17 February 2020

Councillor plants chestnut tree at Woodhill House to mark Climate Change Workshop

Aberdeenshire Council has celebrated a recent climate change workshop by planting a tree in the grounds of Woodhill House.

While the saying goes ‘from little acorns do mighty oaks grow’, Tree Champion Colin Pike is confident his horse chestnut will also thrive at the local authority’s headquarters.

North Kincardine councillor Colin Pike grew the tree from a conker and specifically chose it for its speedy growth which will have majestic presence to catch the eye.

Cllr Pike said: “This is our climate change commitment, to ensure that this sapling grows into a magnificent specimen – one which we can pass on to future generations, to cherish and bless and demonstrate that we were bold enough to act now for the future.”

Addressing those gathered for the workshop, Cllr Pike, chair of the council’s Sustainability Committee, welcomed the arrival in Glasgow later this year of the United Nations 26th Climate Change Conference.

He said there was no better occasion than now to start the council’s participation in climate change, stating: “One thing is for sure - awareness of our climate and measures to interact with it purposefully, will never be far from the news and daily topics of conversation.

“Climate change and unpredictable weather patterns are disrupting whole communities, countries and continents. Those who react now and adapt will survive and prosper.

“Aberdeenshire Council is a multi-faceted business and we must do likewise - time is of the essence and we mustn’t underestimate the scale of the challenge.”

The workshop was organised jointly by the council’s Economic Development and Sustainability teams.