Native Woodland Demonstration Programme

Contact: Diana Gilbert
Start Date: 1995
Status: Completed

Summary

The Native Woodland Demonstration Programme commenced in 1995 with the aim of showing the: social, economic and environmental benefits of managing native woodland through a network of demonstration sites and events.

Native woodlands are an under utilised natural resource which have the potential to provide great benefits for both landholders and the wider community. In particular there are considerable opportunities for farm and crofting diversification.

Outputs

The project established a network of 9 Demonstration sites, hosted 28 Events and ran a Pilot training project for over 300 farmers, crofters and would be woodland managers. We have produced 5 Information sheets, and 3 Technical Handbooks, -the Birch Woodland Management Handbook, A Review of the Project and the Utilisation of Native Woodland Timber.

Partners and Funders

The project has been steered by an Advisory Group including Scottish Natural Heritage, The Forestry Commision, Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Division, The Highland Council and the Farming Forestry and Wildlife Advisory Group.

We wish to acknowledge the support and valuable assistance of:

• Ross and Cromarty Enterprise
• The Highland Council
• SNH
• HIE
• The Millennium Commission
• Highlands and Islands Partnership Programme