Dumfries & Galloway has one of the lowest proportions of native tree cover in the whole of Scotland. This week a job is advertised that will co-ordinate and support a whole range of native tree planting initiatives across the region, also leading on the establishment of a dedicated organisation to drive this work forward in the longer term.
The ‘Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands Manager’ role is hosted by Borders Forest Trust, a national exemplar organisation in this sector, allowing the successful candidate to draw on experience and expertise on this topic, while focussing on the Dumfries & Galloway region. The hope is that the successful candidate will use the initial three-year contract to lay the groundwork for the longer-term establishment of a separate ‘Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands’ organisation. This will act as the local home of expertise for this topic, while also representing the region’s unique interests on a wider regional and national stage.
The need for this role and dedicated organisation has been identified over recent years, catalysed by the 2021 launch of the ‘South of Scotland Tree Planting Grant Scheme’. This scheme allowed grants of up to £1,000 for native tree planting across Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders regions – and it just about to be launched for a further year. In 2021 this scheme was wildly successful, with approximately 11,000 native trees planted across the Dumfries & Galloway region in its first year. Initially hosted locally through the Galloway Glens Scheme (itself an initiative of Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team), the Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands Manager role is an opportunity to lead the South of Scotland Tree Planting Grant Scheme on a longer-term basis, embedding it into the funding landscape.
For more information about the ‘Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands Manager’ role and activities, visit: https://bordersforesttrust.org/about-us/jobs. Applications sought by 28th August.
The role is initially offered on a three-year contract basis, with a salary between £33-36,000 depending on experience. It has been made possible thanks to a funding package, drawing in support from a range of partners, including the Woodland Trust.
Jane Sayers, Woodland Outreach Advisor from the Woodland Trust, said:
“Woodland trust are delighted to be part of such a momentous initiative. This project has the potential to have a significant positive impact on the expansion and connectivity of woodland and other important habitats in Dumfries & Galloway and we look forward to continuing our partnerships with D&G Council, Scottish Forestry and Borders Forest Trust to develop Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands and secure its future.”
Fundraising work and project oversight been led by Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team. The South of Scotland Tree Planting Grant Scheme was launched last year across the Dumfries & Galloway region through the work of the Galloway Glens Scheme, itself an initiative of the Council’s Environment Team. Galloway Glens Team Leader, McNabb Laurie, added:
“It has been so exciting to see the interest in the South of Scotland Tree Planting Grant Scheme across our region. As we start to truly understand the different ways that Trees can help us respond to the Biodiversity and Climate Emergencies, it is great to see the potential for a local native tree champion is being explored. This is another great example of the Council’s Environment Team working with regional and national partners to acknowledge the important part our region has to play.”
The Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands Initiative is supported by partners, including:
- Woodlands Trust Scotland
- Dumfries & Galloway Council
- Borders Forest Trust
- Scottish Forestry
