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Rural & Farming News

Impressive Display of Stock at South West Scotland Dairy 2024

South West Scotland Dairy Show held at Wallets Mart, Castle Douglas, on Wednesday 23rd October was a great success with a packed ringside of...

SRUC Recognised For Advancing Gender Equality & Inclusivity

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has been recognised for its commitment to advancing gender equality and inclusivity with a Bronze level Athena Swan award. The Athena...
Barony Lecturer Raises Awareness of Why We Need Rural Education in Our Schools

Barony Lecturer Raises Awareness of Why We Need Rural Education in Our Schools

Wallace Currie, who is a lecturer based at SRUC’s Barony campus in Dumfries and Galloway has launched a petition to try and raise awareness...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New Good Practice Guide for engaging communities in new woodland creation launched 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.

New Good Practice Guide For Engaging Communities In New Woodland Creation Launched

A groundbreaking Guide intended to improve the process of engagement with local people and communities in new woodland creation projects in Scotland has been...

Enabling Communities To Lead The Way In Local Nature Restoration

A free online skills development programme developed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust is now available to people and communities across Scotland. Over the past two...
Historic Moment For Rural College With New Degree Awarding Powers

Historic Moment For Rural College With New Degree Awarding Powers

Becoming the first Scottish education provider in almost two decades to be granted degree-awarding powers is a truly historic moment for Scotland’s Rural College...

New Film First Reveals Secrets of Rarely Seen Dumfries and Galloway Wilderness

A new short film, which premieres on 16th October 2024, is calling for urgent action to secure a future for all living things in...
Harrison and Hetherington

New Role at Harrison and Hetherington For Dumfrieshire Woman Laura

H&H Group Plc announce the promotion of Dumfriesshire's Laura Millar to the role of Director of Strategy for the continuing development of the Group’s...
NFU SCOTLAND CALLS FOR FARM ASSURANCE CHANGE

NFU Scotland Calls For Farm Assurance Change

Members recognise benefits of farm assurance, but schemes must work in the best interests of primary producers. NFU Scotland’s submission to the independent UK Farm...
Public squirrel sightings ‘more important than ever’ as annual Great Scottish Squirrel Survey begins next week.

Public Squirrel Sightings ‘More Important Than Ever’ As Annual Great Scottish Squirrel Survey Begins...

Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) is calling on the public to get outside, explore nature, and take part in its annual nationwide Great Scottish...