Free wild summer fun for families in Aberdeen thanks to RSPB Scotland and Aldi

RSPB Scotland and supermarket Aldi, are aiming to reveal the wild side of the City and to bring families closer to nature

RSPB Scotland is coming to the aid of parents looking to keep their family entertained this summer by offering free weekend wildlife activities at parks in Aberdeen.

Thanks to generous funding from Aldi supermarkets [note 1], the RSPB will be encouraging families to uncover the wildlife secrets of the City through mini beast hunting, scavenger hunts and many other activities.

RSPB Scotland will be running a fun programme of activities introducing families to local wildlife in the city's Hazlehead Park, Duthie Park and Seaton Park as well as further afield as part of Wild about Aden at Aden Country Park and the Lourin Fair in Old Rayne [note 2].

Fiona Dobie, RSPB Scotland Family Events Officer, said: "We're lucky because Aberdeen is teeming with amazing wildlife just waiting to be discovered. Summer is when nature comes alive and it's the perfect time to get outside and explore the nature on our doorsteps from bugs to butterflies, hedgehogs to house sparrows.

"The family events have been going well so far and it is great to see so many children enjoy exploring nature. The activities have been really popular especially searching for mini-beasts and our treasure hunts, and I am looking forward to being out in Aberdeen during the rest of the summer."

Only 10 per cent of children now regularly play outside in a natural setting, compared to 40 per cent in the 1970s. Other the past decade, research has been carried out into the wide ranging benefits for children who spend time outdoors in nature. These benefits include positive impacts on educations, physical health, emotional wellbeing, personal and social skills and mental well-being.

This UK-wide project forms part of the RSPB's commitment to ensure that young people develop a strong connection to the natural world, helping them to develop into happy, healthy adults with a passion for protecting wildlife for future generations.

Jonathan Neale, Joint Managing Director of Corporate Buying at Aldi, said: "Aldi's partnership with the RSPB is funded by proceeds from our carrier bags sales; it aims to educate as many people as possible about British wildlife. We're proud to be supporting this fantastic initiative that is set to bring thousands of families together over the holidays and beyond."

To keep up-to-date with where RSPB Scotland's nature activities are taking place this summer, please visit www.rspb.org.uk/aberdeen or 'like' the RSPBNorthEastScotland Facebook page, and don't forget to look out for the 'Have a Wild Time!' banners when you visit your local park. To find out more about the overall project that the RSPB are running with Aldi in 15 cities across Britain please visit rspb.org.uk/wildparks.

Editor's notes:

1. Profits from Aldi's carrier bag sales in England and Wales are expected to see the charity receive donations in excess of £2m over a three year period. Aldi continues to prove popular with shoppers, with the latest supermarket share data showing Aldi grew sales by 15.7%, taking its share to 5.4% of the market (Kantar Worldpanel, 12 w/e 24 May 2015). The supermarket has always charged for carrier bags since it first opened in the UK in April 1990 in an effort to reduce its environmental impact.

2. Programme of events:

3. The RSPB is the UK's largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. Together with our partners, we protect threatened birds and wildlife so our towns, coast and countryside will teem with life once again. We play a leading role in BirdLife International, a worldwide partnership of nature conservation organisations.

Last Updated: Tuesday 28 August 2018