A new guide aiming to get people and communities more involved in new woodland creation projects in Scotland has received its official launch in Stewartry.
The good practice guide was unveiled at Corsock Village Hall, with officials and guests then paying a visit to the nearby Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland Site.
The document has been 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.
CEO of Confor, Stuart Goodall, said: “The Scottish Government’s vision is to expand woodlands to cover 21 per cent of Scotland’s land area by 2032 as a vitally important part of its commitment to achieve net zero by 2045.
“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.”
The launch of the guide has been welcomed by Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon, who said: “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 Glaisters Bridge Community Site is part of partnership between Foresight Sustainable Forestry Company (FSFC) and Upper Urr Environment Trust (UUET), with the land leased to the local community.
McNabb Laurie from Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands, who is also a trustee of UUET, said: “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.