Cairngorms National Park
The whole of the upper catchment west of Aboyne falls within the Cairngorms National Park. The Cairngorms was made a National Park in September 2003 due to the importance of the wildlife and countryside it contains. The geology, altitude and climate of the Cairngorms combine to produce plant and animal communities that are rare in a worldwide context. Significant changes in this area would almost certainly have consequences for nature conservation, the land economy and the recreational value of the Cairngorms.
The Cairngorms National Park is Britain's largest National Park and one of the largest in Europe. The Park has the largest area of arctic mountain landscape in the UK at its heart, with diverse communities around it. It is home to 16000 people and 25% of Britain's threatened birds, animals, and plants.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority is developing a National Park Plan.This is a new type of Plan which cuts across organisations and sectors, bringing together all those involved in the management of the Park. It is a Plan for the Park as a whole, not just for the Park Authority.The draft Park Plan sets out a long term vision and strategic objectives looking at least 25 years ahead. It also identifies the priorities for investment and action from 2007 to 2012.