The River Don Trust

21 March 2010

Dave Gordon, RDT Chairman is standing down as a Director, easing back his workload a little and perhaps take a more hands on role within the Trust.

Dave was the Trusts first Chairman and wrote the trusts constitution, and in that he stipulated that the Chair must step down every year, though may be re elected. Dave has decided that having had an excellent year of achievements for the trust, and having met all the trusts FMP milestones, that it was time to ease back a little, and perhaps even get a day or two clear to go fishing!

Dave said “I have really enjoyed the first year of the River Don Trust.. I have had a very intense year as Chair, very ably supported by my fellow Directors but  I have decided to ease back my workload. I recognise that as a Director I would never be able to slow down properly or to let go the reigns, so I have decided to resign as a director of the Trust as well. The Directors very kindly asked me to continue to assist the trust so I can ease back my workload and at the same time continue to enjoy the areas of trust work I get most satisfaction from.”

Dave will now be the River Don Trust's unpaid  River Manager responsible for line managing the Trust Biologist and driving the Fishery Management Plan forward

Trust stalwart, Iain Morrison, who has the drive and vision to take over the demanding role of RDT chair, was voted in by unanimous vote of his fellow directors.   Iain is a driving force within the trust, and is looking forward to the challenge, and to continuing the teamwork of working with Dave in delivering the trusts objectives.

Iain noted “ we have a great team within the RDT, and have made excellent progress. Dave and I will continue to work together, and I am sure we will be able to continue to make good progress against the FMP and to further develop the Trust”

The trust also has a new director. Duncan McKay is joining the Trust team, taking years of management experience with him. Like all directors he was chosen to assist as he has huge enthusiasm for the River Don, and has agreed to become the Trusts Publicity and fundraising director.

Duncan described how he felt about the Trust. “I  was surprised to hear that Dave was standing down but I am looking forward to working with the strong  trust team to promote the River Don's interests and hope we can build on the solid  foundations put in  place to date" 

Dave Gordon ( River Don Trust, River Manager)

Dave is an enthusiastic angler, diver and enjoys shooting,He is a Director of the River Dee Trust and can be contacted at dave@riverdon.org.uk

Alistair Wallace

Chairman of the board and mandate for the Candacraig Estate. He can be contacted at ajw@riverdon.org.uk

Robert Dey

Robert is the Chairman of the ADAA and a keen angler. He can be contacted at bob@riverdon.org.uk

Richard Fyffe

Rick has worked in agriculture and rural business all his life and owns a stretch of the Don at Fetternear. He can be contacted at rick@riverdon.org.uk

Iain Morrison (Chair)

Iain has a degree in Zoology, is a retired chartered surveyor, Is also a Director of the Dee Trust, the Dee salmon Improvement Association and has served on a number of other Committees He  is   a lifelong angler and shooting enthusiast. .He can be contacted on iain@riverdon.org.uk

Dr Sam Martin

Sam is a lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen.  He has been studying different aspects of salmon & trout biology for over 20 years.  He is also a keen angler and secretary of Inverurie angling association.  Dr Sam Martin can be contacted at sam.martin@abdn.ac.uk (http://www.abdn.ac.uk/biologicalsci/staff/details/sam.martin)

Duncan McKay

Duncan Mckay is our newest director, hehas been recruited to look aftertrst fndraising and publcity. he can be contacted at duncan@riverdon.org.uk

                                                                            Jamie Urquhart

Jamie Urquhart is the Trust biologist and has been working with the Trust since June 2009. Prior to his role as Trust biologist Jamie worked at the University of Aberdeen on water vole and American mink research and control for three years after studying at the University since 2000.

Jamie has been working with the Directors and the Staff of the Don DSFB over the last few months to complete habitat and electrofishing surveys across the catchment whilst coordinating other projects including Salmon in the Classroom, Fish obstacle removal and Renewable energy consultations. For more details on Jamie's activities visit the Jamie's Blogs or contact Jamie at  biologist@riverdon.org.uk