MORE support for farmers to plant trees and the establishment of a technical training hub are among the actions outlined in a new forestry plan.
Other key pledges in Scottish Forestry's three-year Implementation Plan include the promotion of wood-based products and creation of a National Register for the country's Ancient Woodlands.
Published today, the document is part of the ongoing Forestry Strategy, a 10-year framework to action, expand, protect and enhance Scotland’s forests and woodlands.
READ MORE: Forest Research woodland statistics: UK misses annual tree-planting targets again
Environment Minister Mairi McAllan said: “We are uniquely placed within the UK to enable responsible expansion of nature-based solutions, including increased tree cover.
“We have big ambitions with forestry and to achieve our goals we must work collaboratively.
"Key to this is ensuring that forestry fits with other land uses and that we plant the right trees in the right places."
Other actions to be taken forward in the next three years include:
- Developing and implementing a framework to help forestry support community wealth building.
- Identifying and pursuing opportunities to decarbonise Scotland’s wood supply chain.
- Promoting the opportunities for people to engage in woodland-based activities to improve mental and physical well-being.
Scotland leads the way in woodland creation across the UK, accounting for 10,480 hectares of the 13,840 ha created in the year up to the end of March 2022. However, it was also the only one of the four nations to see a drop in its annual figures for a second-consecutive year.
The disruptive effects of Storm Arwen during the planting season were largely blamed for this.
Ms McAllan added: “People and communities must also be at the forefront of our efforts to tackle climate change and we will strive to ensure that no-one is left behind or unfairly disadvantaged.
"This new Implementation Plan sets out the key forestry actions required to help us achieve this.”
You can view the new Implementation Plan for Scotland’s Forestry Strategy here.
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