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News Release from: Forestry Commission | Subject: Woodland boost for urban Scotland
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 27 January 2006
Woodland boost for urban Scotland
Woodlands close to towns and cities are set to get makeovers thanks to a £2 million cash boost from the Scottish Executive.
Woodlands close to towns and cities are set to get makeovers thanks to a £2 million cash boost from the Scottish Executive The funding boost has been awarded to 30 projects across Scotland aimed at creating more opportunities for woodland recreation and enjoyment on the doorstep of busy urban people
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 23 Jun 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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Work to improve woodlands could include: building of new footpaths or the upgrading of existing ones; planting new trees and thinning out dense woodlands; new signage or interpretation; new woodland rangers to build links with communities; and clearing up fly-tipping and rubbish.
Some of the grants will help organisations carry out surveys to properly assess how they can bring to life their woodlands for benefit of people living locally.
Speaking after her Ministerial Statement to Parliament today, Ms Brankin said: "Forests and woodlands are natural retreats from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and can make a significant contribution to people's health and well-being.
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Over twelve thousand hectares (30,000 acres) of new woodlands were planted in Britain last year, helping to bring our forest cover to the highest level it has been in over 300 years.
Being able to simply get away from it all and enjoy some peace and quiet is sometimes just the tonic needed.
"This £2 million funding boost will act as the catalyst needed to help many organisations carry out work to breathe new life into woodlands for the benefit of communities living in populated areas." The funding to revitalise woodlands across Scotland is primarily from the WIAT (Woods in and Around Towns) Challenge Fund to which applicants submit bids to Forestry Commission Scotland.
This money is paid as a top-up to standard grants from the Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme.
Owners of woodland in or close to settlements with a population greater than 3000 were invited to apply for the grants.
Amongst the winners in the current round of funding are:.
Craigmillar Castle Park, Craigmillar.
Situated near the Craigmillar housing estate, this grant of over £259,000 follows a recent survey and management plan which also received funding last year from the WIAT initiative.
This round of funding covers a full time ranger for the woodland who will take forward community events, the building of new paths and upgrading of old ones, new interpretation signs, kissing gates, planting of new broadleaves and the thinning of the woodland to bring in more space and light.
To combat fire and vandalism problems, fire breaks within the recently planted areas are to be created and tree shelters are to be removed.
McDonald Park Woodlands, Ellon.
McDonald Park Woodlands are situated in the centre of Ellon and are an integral landscape and recreational feature of the town.
The park was gifted to the people of Ellon in 1928 by James Gordon and today is managed by Aberdeenshire Council.
WIAT initiative funding of £43,700 will be used to make path improvements, create a new all abilities path and bring back the woodland into active management with native tree species and layers of shrubs.
Carmunnock Woods, Glasgow.
This woodland is on the edge of Carmunnock at the south side of Glasgow's boundary.
Residents of Castlemilk use the woods and it is estimated that over 25,000 people in the surrounding area will be in easy walking distance.
Trainees from the Coach House Trust, in partnership with the Castlemilk Environmental Trust will work on the woodland which is owned by Glasgow City Council.
New ponds and better paths will be built to encourage more people to use the woods.
£47,500 is going to fund the woodland makeover.
Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park, Perth.
This woodland park is a key feature of the City of Perth, occupying a dominant position to the east of the city and attracts around 100,000 visitors a year.
It has been used for recreation for over 150 years and is actively promoted as a woodland park, managed through a partnership of the owners and an active User Group.
WIAT initiative funding of £266,000 will be used to provide additional signage both within and outside the park, enhance public transport to the park, and improve around 4.5km of main footpaths.
In addition, a woodland classroom facility will be established through the conversion of a disused Forestry Commission building.
The woodland is jointly owned by Perth and Kinross Council and Forestry Commission Scotland.
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