11 Scouts and 2 leaders from 26th Craigalmond Scouts spent a happy and productive afternoon planting 47 trees at Hillend Country Park - willow, field maple, oak, rowan and holly. First time for most, and they enjoyed being up the hill in the fresh air. Welcome back any time!
New woodlands have been planted every year on the Beinn Eighe reserve near Kinlochewe since it was established in 1951.
They link small remnants of the ancient Caledonian pinewoods which once dominated Scotland's landscape. NatureScot estimates that about 800,000 trees have been planted and although most are Scots pine the woodlands also contain birch, holly, oak, rowan and aspen. The final 20,000 locally grown trees will be planted out in Glen Torridon towards the end of the year, after which the reserve will be left to grow and expand without human interference. Many of the species will take hundreds of years to grow to maturity meaning it will be for future generations to experience the vision for Beinn Eighe. Planting trees, with the best will in the world, doesn't replicate the natural evolution of a woodland. Woodland that regenerates of its own accord is much more species rich, much more structurally diverse, which provides a greater range of niches for a greater range of species. Much of the site's ancient temperate rainforest was felled during World War Two to supply timber as part of the war effort. Preparing some ground for 26th Craigalmond Scouts coming on 22 January to plant trees.
I got it done, but the gorse came off best, I left with a black eye and a bleeding nose! Efforts to plant a network of “wee forests” in towns and cities across Scotland have received £500,000 from the Scottish Government.
This winter, 20 densely packed areas of woodland around the size of a tennis court will be planted in urban environments using the tiny forests method. Ministers say it will form part of the legacy of COP26 and provide outdoor learning opportunities for schools. Volunteers will plant and tend the forests as they grow, as well as monitor the wildlife they attract. The first demonstration forest was planted at West Pilton Park in Edinburgh during October last year. It is part of the international Tiny Forest programme co-ordinated by Earthwatch, using a forest management method developed in the 1970s by Japanese botanist Dr Akira Miyawaki to bring biodiversity into urban settings. There are currently five "wee forest" sites across the Greater Glasgow area and three around Edinburgh. Scotland's Environment Minister Mairi McAllan said: “The horrors of the Covid pandemic have changed how many of us view and value nature, and we know people want to spend more time outdoors for the benefits it brings to their mental and physical health. “We want to improve access to green spaces and provide equal opportunities for everyone to connect with nature. McAllan continued: “Wee forests are an ideal way of achieving this, whether as a place for children to play or a quiet spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. “This new network of wee forests is a great example of partnership working between the public, private and voluntary sector and is an important legacy of COP26 when the eyes of the world were on Glasgow and the future of our planet.” The initiative will be led by the government agency NatureScot. Its chief executive, Francesca Osowska, said: “Wee forests are a fantastic way for people to connect with nature close to home. “We’re delighted to see our demonstration project being extended to create many more pockets of nature-positive green space across our towns and cities, as a living legacy of COP26.” |
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