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News Release from: Forestry Commission | Subject: Funding boost for highland woodlands
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 27 January 2006
Major funding boost for Highland
woodlands
Rural and crofting communities set to benefit from major funding boost for Highland woodlands
Rural and crofting communities in the Highlands are among those set to benefit from a woodland grant of £1.5 million designed to complement the Highland Council's Forest and Woodland Strategy, encourage the development of small commercial woods, and improve forest habitat networks The money will be paid over three-years and comes in the form of a Forestry Commission Scotland Locational Premium - a grant payable in addition to the standard woodland planting grants available through Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 23 Jun 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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(see notes to editors) The funding will support areas of work prioritised by Highland Council's strategy and enhance the local distinctiveness of the region.
Speaking after her Ministerial Statement to the Scottish Parliament today, Scottish Forestry Minister, Rhona Brankin said; "I am pleased to announce this woodland grant of £1.5 million to the Highland region.
This Forestry Commission Scotland grant will, over the next three years, be a welcome addition to Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme payments in the Highlands.
Further reading
Squirrel Damage: Help Is On Hand
Woodland owners and managers have a new source of advice to help them combat the threat to trees posed by growing numbers of grey squirrels in Britain.
Furure For Scotland's Woods, People And Wildlife
The Scottish Executive wants more joined-up woodlands in Scotland.
"There is a tremendous opportunity now to generate real benefits for rural and crofting communities from Assynt to Loch Sunart.
I have visited both of these areas recently and it is clear that many Highland communities recognise the multi-functional benefits that forests can bring.
The new grants are an investment for the future and will benefit both local businesses and the environment".
Two main development strands are identified by the grant:.
* creation of small commercial woods.
* creation of forest habitat networks The first strand aims to encourage the creation of small commercial woods (up to 30 hectares) of species such as Douglas fir and Larch which can be utilised to bring added value to crofting townships and rural communities.
Timber produced from such woods can, for example, be used in local house construction or even supply chips for woodfuel.
Woodfuel and other forms of biomass are important sources of renewable energy.
These productive woods will also complement the extensive new native forests created across the region over the last 15 years.
The other strand outlined by the premium focuses on increasing connectivity of woods and forests in the region through the creation of habitat networks.
These new linkages will allow fragmented woodlands to function as larger ecosystems and improve the adaptability of woodland species potentially threatened by climate change.
Highland Councillor and Chair of the Highland Forestry Forum, Cllr Ian Ross added; "I warmly welcome the announcement of the Highland Locational Premium grant.
It will help encourage the development of new and existing woodland throughout the region and complement the Highland Council's new woodland strategy.
The funding provides land managers in the region with enhanced opportunities to develop native woodland, engage communities and increase biodiversity through robust habitat networks.".
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