Product category:
Building Regulations and Accreditation
News Release from: Forestry Commission | Subject: Urban woodland makeover
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 14 May 2008
GBP24m for urban woodland makeover
Woods near to towns and cities are set to get a new lease of life, thanks to a further GBP24m cash injection from the Scottish Government.
The three year funding boost is the second phase of Forestry Commission Scotland's Woodlands In and Around Towns (WIAT) Programme which aims to open up access and recreation opportunities for people living in towns and cities This phase will help to create new urban woodland, introduce management to improve the quality of existing woods and work with communities to enjoy the benefits local woodland can provide
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 23 Jun 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Forestry Commission Statistical Publications
A range of Forestry Commission statistical publications are issued as "National Statistics", on pre-announced dates.
Talk To The Trees - The Regional Woodland Strategy
The Regional Woodland Strategy for the East of England is published in draft form and is available now for consultation.
Since 2005, WIAT has brought 8,000ha of woodland into active management, created 1,000ha of new woodland and involved 8,900 schools pupils across Central Scotland.
Environment Minister, Michael Russell, made the announcement during a visit to Gartmorn Dam Visitor Centre, Clackmannanshire, to view work which has been carried out using WIAT funding.
Mr Russell said: "Woods in and around towns are an extremely valuable resource for local people".
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.
Britain's Forest Area Grows
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.
"It is well known that woods are good for people's mental health, provide a great location to exercise in, provide a haven for wildlife and offer children a fun atmosphere to learn in".
"Woodland can also play a role in meeting the social and economic challenges in parts of Scotland's towns and cities and the WIAT Programme aims to help communities get the most from their local woodland".
"I have seen first hand here today at Gartmorn Dam Visitor Centre and Cowpark Wood, the benefits that communities can get from their local woodland and the results that both WIAT and partnership working can deliver".
"The next phase of WIAT aims to strengthen results such as this through further partnership working and helping young people to make a difference in their local environment".
In 2006 Stirling and Clackmannanshire councils secured WIAT funding for 11 council owned or managed woods to help provide improved access to woods and greenspaces.
Stirling Council was awarded GBP346,353.
Work recently carried out in Back Walk Wood includes the felling of trees to open up viewpoints and removing litter and fly tipping.
Over four large skip loads of rubbish was collected by Stirling Council's Countryside Team with assistance from the Streetscape Team and also West Contract Services the tree felling contractors.
Work has also been carried out at Abbey Craig Woods and the young plantations on Fallin Bing.
Tree thinning and safety works are planned for the woods in Bridge of Allan, Balquhidderock Wood and Fallin, along with path improvements in all the woods.
Clackmannanshire Council was awarded GBP66,589.
In Clackmannanshire there are plans to thin out the woods at Woodland Park, Alva, Woodlea Park and Headwall Wood, at Gartmorn Dam (subject to access being agreed).
Path improvements are planned for all the woods including Cowpark Wood.
The Minister also presented Primary 7 pupils from Deerpark Primary School with the John Muir Award.
The pupils have been discovering, enjoying and caring for local woodlands and greenspaces.
They have been working with partner organisations in the WIAT funded Cowpark Wood to: record wildlife in the wood; survey the area; clear invasive species; and have taken part in fun outdoor games.
• Forestry Commission: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Buildingtalk email newsletter
• Buildingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
