Forestry and woodlands

Sustainable Land Management

To look at opportunities for sustainable land management/community farming/new ways of farming the land.

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The health and genetics of red squirrels reintroduced to woodlands in the Scottish Highlands by conservation charity Trees for Life are to be studied by scientists at the University of Edinburgh. 

Update 10 April 2019, please note this article has been updated to reflect the extended deadline for applications.

The 2019 Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) round is currently open to applications and closes on 17 April 2019.

How to Plant Trees on Your Farm

A practical day event exploring the benefits of planting and managing trees on your land, including the chance to have a go at planting. Includes:

  • Visit to Tulluch Tea croft (225) to look at planting trees and hedges for better land management
  • Visit to Migdale Woods to find out how to get more out of the trees you have
  • Hands-on planting demonstration
  • Funding information from Forestry Commission Scotland and the Woodland Trust Scotland

The next round of the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) has opened for applications today (17 January).

AECS is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme. It supports environmentally-friendly land management practices that aim to safeguard and improve Scotland's natural heritage and help businesses adapt to climate change.

Making Woodland Work for You: creation and funding

Supported by Central Scotland Green Network Trust

A practical event looking at the benefits of woodland creation and how to fund it, as well as how to manage existing woodland.

Sheep and beef farmer Andrew Barbour of Mains of Fincastle, Pitlochry, will be talking about his experience of planting trees.

Other speakers are from Forestry Commission Scotland, Woodland Trust, Scottish Woodlands and SRUC.

Come along to discover what trees can do for your farm business.

Free to farmers, foresters and land managers.

The 2019 Scotland's Finest Woods Award are open for entries.

This year's awards programme is the biggest ever, with the Farm Woodland category expanded and a unique one-off award to celebrate the centenary of the 1919 Forestry Act.

Scotland's Finest Woods Awards highlight all that is best in Scotland’s management of its woods and forests, and showcase how they contribute to the wealth and well-being of Scotland’s people. 

The 2019 Awards are:

Beavers were hunted to extinction in Scotland about 400 years ago. In 2009, an official trial reintroduction of beavers, the Scottish Beaver Trial (SBT), took place in mid-Argyll. Since 2006, beavers have also been reported in Tayside as a result of unauthorised releases. The Scottish Government announced in November 2016 that it was minded to retain the Eurasian beaver in Scotland, and for them to be allowed to recolonise naturally.

Conservation charity Trees for Life is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its flagship Dundreggan Conservation Estate in Glenmoriston – marking a decade of restoring the Caledonian Forest at the acclaimed site, and an ongoing commitment to investing in the local community.

Making Woodland Work for You

A practical walk and talk afternoon exploring the benefits of woodland creation and management, as well as funding opportunities.

Includes discussion on what to plant, where and why; managing existing woodland and accessing available support. 

Come along to hear and discuss what trees can do for you. 

Speakers from Forestry Commission Scotland, Woodland Trust Scotland and the Association of Scottish Hardwood Sawmillers, with Dee Ward of Rottal Estate.

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