Dumfries & Galloway hosts a significant proportion of the United Kingdom’s commercial woodland creation schemes. With discussion ongoing on the national stage regarding land use change, the ‘Woodlands Plus’ project aims to add local value – employment, biodiversity or public access – to three forestry sites in the region. This project sets a new benchmark for public benefits delivered by woodland creation projects and hopes to inspire similar work on other sites.
The ‘Woodlands Plus’ project is overseen by Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands and works with a range of partners and landowners from across the forestry sector to add value for the habitats and people in the region.
The Three Woodland sites are:
Waterside Hill, near Dalry: The planting scheme is now complete and the project will work with the landowner, Dalry Community Council and Scottish Woodlands to add benches and signage telling the story of the area’s history along this popular section of the Southern Upland Way, South Scotland’s flagship long distance walking route.
Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland, near Corsock: Planting broadleaf trees, installing paths, signage, seating and delivering events at this groundbreaking site which forms part of a wider planting scheme and has been leased by Foresight Sustainable Forestry Company to the Upper Urr Environment Trust.
Muirdrochwood Forest, near Carsphairn: Supporting the costs of a six-month forestry apprentice role working on the Carsphairn Community Woodland site.
The work proposed results from a period of project development with a range of partners, drawing together learning and activity across the three sites to ensure the sharing of information and adding maximum value.
Full project info is here: https://dgwoodlands.org.uk/woodlands-plus/
The project, costing almost £40,000 in total, is funded by project partners, including Glenkens and District Community Fund, administered by Foundation Scotland, and support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
McNabb Laurie, Manager of Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands said:
“The rural landscape of Dumfries & Galloway is changing fast, driven by decisions taken on the national or international stage. It is important that we contribute to these strategic discussions but we also need to focus on local opportunities that result from these changes, adding value for the habitats and people of our region.
By working in partnership with industry and local communities, we can really add employment, biodiversity or public access value to woodland creation projects, for the people and habitats of D&G.
This ‘Woodlands Plus’ project aims to set a new benchmark for benefits from woodland creation projects in Dumfries & Galloway, giving options that can be replicated on other sites to add public access, employment or biodiversity value for the species and people of our region.
This project is only possible thanks to all partners involved, and particularly the funding secured from the Glenkens & District Trust and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.” Fiona Smith, Chair of the Glenkens & District Trust, said:
“My Trustees and I were keen to support the ‘Woodlands Plus’ project as it provided a tangible response to the land use change underway in the region and also demonstrates how community groups can achieve more by working effectively together. This project supports local jobs and delivers measurable habitat and public access improvements.
By pooling expertise and resources our great community groups can maximise their impact for the people who live and work in this area.”
