A groundbreaking Guide intended to improve the process of engagement with local people and communities in new woodland creation projects in Scotland has been launched.
The Guide was prepared by individuals from across south Scotland with experience in responding to applications to create new woodlands and by people working in Scotland’s forestry industry, with the advice and support of Scottish Forestry and the Scottish Land Commission.
“The Scottish Government’s vision is to expand woodlands to cover 21% of Scotland’s land area by 2032 as a vitally important part of its commitment to achieve net zero by 2045”, said Stuart Goodall, CEO of Confor. “Ultimately, the aim of the Guide is to improve the process for local people, communities and the people seeking to create new woodland, and to enable Scotland’s forestry and wood processing sector to make a vital contribution to tackling catastrophic climate change.”
“This Guide is the culmination of a lot of hard work by people who want to improve the process of engagement with local people and communities on new woodland creation projects”, explained Morag Paterson from Communities for Diverse Forestry. “It’s because of their positive approach and willingness to openly discuss the issues around engaging people in new woodland creation projects that has enabled this important Guide to be prepared.”
Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon has welcomed the launch of the Good Practice Guide.
“Meaningfully engaging communities in discussions about woodland creation projects is crucial as we strive to increase woodland cover across Scotland.
“Engagement with communities during the project development and approval process helps to ensure that their aspirations and concerns are taken into account when decisions are being made about the places they live and care about.
“I welcome this guidance, particularly as it has been developed collaboratively with community representatives and with the aim of supporting more and better engagement in the woodland creation process.”
The launch took place at Corsock Village Hall, followed by a visit to the Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland Site.
The Glaisters Bridge Community Site is part of an innovative partnership between Foresight Sustainable Forestry Company (FSFC) and Upper Urr Environment Trust (UUET), with the land leased to the local community.
“This is a new concept, with the land leased to the community – the first time this has been done in this way on a commercial forestry site in the region or in fact the wider UK! The 20 -year lease with the Upper Urr Environment Trust gives the community a partnership role for public amenity or biodiversity improvements taking place”, explained McNabb Laurie, from Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, and a Trustee of Upper Urr Environment Trust.
Read Engagement with Local People and Communities: Good Practice Guidance for Woodland Creation Proposals in full.
