Environmentalist group The Findhorn Dunes Trust is an option for shoppers' Co-op Community Fund vote this year
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A GROUP set up to protect a local area of natural interest is one of the options for supermarket customers to fund this year.
The Findhorn Dunes Trust (FDT), a dedicated charity made up of representatives of the village as well as the Findhorn Foundation community, is a choice for shoppers able to vote for Co-op Community Fund recipients - the other is Forres and District Pipe Band.
FDT convenor Timothy Finnegan confirmed they are trying to raise funds for information signs at the dunes.
He explained: “We are keen to promote biological diversity and public access. Signage will help visitors and residents understand the importance of the dunes and encourage them to walk safely on them without damaging them. Dune heath is a rare and diminishing habitat in Europe which supports about 200 species of lichen; some of them rare and nationally important. However, the lichen are being overgrown by invasive non-native pine trees and there are also ground-nesting birds which can easily be disturbed by dogs. There is a significant fire risk too.”
Over the last year the FDT has been: clearing pine seedlings and saplings, and gorse; discovering and reporting previously unreported species of lichen; helping to protect the ground nesting sites of Ringed Plovers; promoting organised walks and runs through the area; all while encouraging responsible public behaviour.
“We organised the erection of signs on Dunes Road about not using vehicles on the dunes,” said Mr Finnegan. “I also had a useful meeting with Duneland Ltd about the history of the dunes, which is being followed up. We shall refurbish our noticeboard near the disabled car park this year. And we’ve been liaising with Findhorn Hinterland Trust about a project to restore dunes habitat which has been overgrown by invasive species. This is intended to improve biological diversity.”
When Co-op members buy selected Co-op products and services, 2p for every £1 spent goes into their membership accounts. They can select a local cause to support or the Co-op will share the funds equally between the available causes. Co-op members can choose which group their donations will go to by selecting via the Co-op app or website. Funds are collected over a 12 month period until end October 2024. The money is allocated to the individual groups depending on how many Co-op members select them as their chosen cause.
Visit https://causes.coop.co.uk/ for more information.
