Welcome to the Reforesting Scotland website. Reforesting Scotland is a networking organisation of those active in the ecological and social regeneration of Scotland. This website is a source of information about the work of Reforesting Scotland, its projects and publications. It also acts as a general information resource on topics relating to woodland restoration in Scotland.
Reforesting Scotland's 7th Imbolc Ceilidh will be held at the Rudolf Steiner School, 60 Spylaw Road, Edinburgh EH10 5BR on Saturday 7 February 2009 with the excellent Hud Yer Wheesht and other guests. See the Ceilidh Collective's website for more details and tickets.
Timber grown in Glasgow, used in Glasgow Glasgow Metropolitan College recently started using timber from trees grown in the city. The pilot project to reduce timber going to landfill seeks to develop a local market and support social enterprise. More information on the Glasgow Woodland Unit website.
Please visit the website www.shrinkpaper.org and pledge to cut your use of paper. Note that you should tick things you do already, as well as ideas you might see which you haven't thought of. And add your own ideas too!
Forestry Commission Scotland Climate Change Action Plan A Forest Research report entitled ‘Impacts of climate change on forests and forestry in Scotland’ has been published. The report states that every element of forestry practice will need to be reviewed. Some of the key proposals include a move to more diverse planting, introducing different varieties of trees and revising operational practices – from nursery work through to harvesting. A summary of the main findings has been published as a Forestry Commission Information Note; a copy of the full report can be found at http://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/climatechangescotland - and further information at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/climatechange.
Draft Forest Enterprise Scotland (FES) Framework Strategic Plan The Scottish Government’s Forestry Strategy was published in October 2006. The new draft FES - Framework Strategic Plan - defines how Forestry Commission Scotland will implement this strategy on the national forest estate and what other actions it requires from its operating arm. See http://www.forestry.gov.uk/fesplans.
Rural Gateway’s International Spotlight is a great report from Julian Pace on his recent visit to the Swedish Rural Parliament. The Parliament meets every two years and brings together 1000 people from Sweden and other countries to discuss rural issues and raise the rural voice. What did Julian Pace learn about rural development in Sweden? Are there ways of working that would translate to rural Scotland? Find out in International Spotlight: Swedish Rural Parliament.
The Clyde Valley Orchard Project is one of a number of initiatives delivered by the Rural Development Trust. It aims to restore and develop the orchards of the Clyde Valley by helping local people to access resources and advice on their management for a range of economic, social and environmental benefits.
Beavers will be back The Scottish Government has approved the application by the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) to bring back beavers to Scotland. More information on the website of the Scottish Beaver Trial – a six-year trial reintroduction of beavers to Knapdale Forest, Mid-Argyll.
NEW ON THIS WEBSITE - Rural Alternatives project reports and case studies
After nearly two and a half years of working with four partner community woodland groups, Reforesting Scotland's Rural Alternatives project has now come to an end. Outputs from the project have been published on the Reforesting Scotland website, including articles, reports, and six case studies of non-timber forest product-based enterprises and activities - available to download on the new Rural Alternatives Shared Futures project reports page. Many thanks to Jake Paul for all his work in co-ordinating the strands of the project from the Edinburgh office, and the best of luck for his future plans.
Yet another new member of staff - the last for a while! - Emma Chapman has just moved from freelancer to employee to begin work as manager of Reforesting Scotland's new Wild Harvests Sector Support project.
Woodland Crofts category added to National Forest Land Scheme (NFLS) New NFLS guidelines published this month allow communities to buy national forest land to create woodland crofts - see Forestry Commission Scotland's NFLS page for more details.
Another new member of staff - Amanda Calvert has just begun work as Reforesting Scotland's new development officer. Huge thanks and best wishes to Kristin Olsen, who after 3 years of high-energy work for RS is now going off on maternity leave.
Anna Alexander has joined the team as Reforesting Scotland's new administrator. Welcome aboard, Anna!
New wild harvesting guidelines The Scottish Moss Collection Code and the Scottish Bulb Collection Code are now available from the ForestHarvest website. These guidelines were created cooperatively by conservation organisations, land managers, harvesters and buyers, and are a step towards more sustainable harvesting of Scotland's wild resources.
New reforestation plan by Borders Forest Trust - they have an agreement to buy Corehead Farm, near Moffat, if they can raise sufficient funds within 18 months. In contrast to their Wildwood project at Carrifran, they would manage this land using low-intensity livestock farming, restoring species-rich meadows and heather moorland, whilst expanding the native woodlands. More details in this article from the Southern Reporter.
NEW ON THIS WEBSITE
The 2006-7 Reforesting Scotland Annual Report is now online - an inspiring look at Reforesting Scotland's recent achievements.
NEW ON THIS WEBSITE
A change of style - we hope you like the new look of the site's menu: a softer shade of green and, we hope, an easier read.
This year's Reforesting Scotland Imbolc Ceilidh was held once again at the Rudolf Steiner Hall, 60 Spylaw Road, Edinburgh, organised by the ever wonderful Ceilidh Collective, with music from Hud Yer Wheesht. This time before the ceilidh there was a fundraising banquet - two-course organic buffet. Many thanks to Robin and the Ceilidh Collective.
Hi-tech forest defence in the Cameroon Baka Pygmies are using GPS recording devices to map their sacred and important forest trees. This detailed evidence can then be used as evidence to stop illegal logging. Full story from the BBC website.
Reforesting Scotland launches a new project: Sustainable Forest Harvest - monitoring NTFP harvests. Project officer Alison Dyke is asking for suggestions on the priority species or groups of species that this project should focus on - see the NEW Sustainable Forest Harvest project page for more details.
Third Edition of Scottish Woodfuel News Reforesting Scotland, Highland Birchwoods and the Forestry Commission have now published the third edition of Scottish Woodfuel News, containing more information about woodfuel projects andevents. You can download Scottish Woodfuel News no.3 from the Fuelwood project page.
NEW ON THIS WEBSITE
Rural Alternatives Shared Futures Project - Mid Term Report.
Veracel timber certification would be yet another disaster for FSC, according to the World Rainforest Movement. Find out more at: www.wrm.org.uy/actors/FSC/FSC_Crossroad.html
New Land Reform Report Published The latest report on land reform by Andy Wightman: ‘Land Reform – an agenda for the 2007-2011 Scottish Parliament’ (
PDF file 89KB).
New Arran Whitebeam found A research project by SNH, Dougarrie Estate and the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh has discovered two specimens of the newly-named Catacol Whitebeam in the north of Arran. This brings the number of unique tree species on Arran to three. Whitebeams are well known to be endemic on Arran, as such they are unique trees, nor found anywhere else. As the new finds are so rare, a deer fence has been placed around the area and the Royal Botanic Gardens is propagating cuttings and has collected seed to ensure the survival of the genetic stock.
New Harvesting Guidelines for Mosses and Bulbs As Non Timber Forest Product harvesting becomes more popular as part of people's lives and work, concerns are rising about the possible impacts of harvesting. Two new sets of harvesting guidelines - one for mosses and one for bulbs - are now available to help with this issue. The codes have been produced in consultation with moss harvesters, land managers, species experts and representatives of conservation organisations. The ForestHarvest website has information on how to obtain copies.
THE REFORESTING SCOTLAND OFFICE MOVED TODAY - to 58 Shandwick Place, Edinburgh EH2 4RT
Our new phone number is 0131 2202500, and you can still email us at all the usual addresses.
Reforesting Scotland Local Day in Glasgow - 'urban greenspaces' A great day, in spite of torrential rain! We started off at Glasgow Botanic Gardens with a talk by green councillor Martha Wardrop, followed by a visit to the 'Wee Orchard' project (see RS journal 36). After lunch we will visit the Galgael Trust and the Bullwood Project. And as well as all this, it was a chance for Reforesting Scotland members from Glasgow, plus a few visitors from further afield, to meet, talk, and hear about each other's projects. Many thanks to Louise Galloway for organising a very successful day.
Second Edition of Scottish Woodfuel News Reforesting Scotland, Highland Birchwoods and the Forestry Commission recently published the long-awaited second edition of Scottish Woodfuel News, containing information about new woodfuel projects, events and useful contacts. You can download Scottish Woodfuel News no.2 from the Fuelwood project page.
Reforesting Scotland members heating homes with renewable energy More than 25% of our members responded to a recent email survey about energy use, food, waste, and timber asking how our members are living or adapting their lifestyles to reduce their impact on climate change. The survey will help us to discover how our members, and the values that we work to support, are helping to tackle climate change, as well as to improve the work that we do in the future. The results are being analysed at the moment. A very impressive result is that 29% of those who responded use renewable energy as the principal energy source to heat their homes. Many thanks to everyone who took the time to fill in the survey and return it to us.
Forestry in Climate Change Clothes Reforesting Scotland has issued a press release criticising a new "Woodland Creation measure" recently announced by Forestry Commission Scotland. Reforesting Scotland's press release and info from Forestry Commission Scotland available here.
Local Timber in Construction - Highland Forest Industries Cluster event exploring the possibilities of using local timber in construction. More details on the Scottish Forest Industries Cluster website.
NEW ON THIS WEBSITE
New section about Reforesting Scotland's Low Impact Living project.
Kilfinan Community Forest Project to go ahead In June the local community voted to go ahead with the development of the ‘Kilfinan Forest Park’ which will aim to demonstrate how forest land can provide good quality and affordable housing together with local job opportunities. Click here to download the Winter 2006/7 article about Dunbeag and the Kilfinan Community Forest Project ( PDF file 161KB). (Dunbeag is the home base of David Blair, whose long-term vision led to the formation of the Kilfinan Community Forest Project.)
If you go down to the woods it'd be well to read this press release about Lyme disease from the Health Protection Authority. More information on Lyme disease can be found on various websites including www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk and www.bada-uk.org.
NEW ON THIS WEBSITE
New section about the new Reforesting Scotland exhibition - more images to come soon.
NEW ON THIS WEBSITE
Information about Reforesting Scotland's involvement in the new Scottish Working Woods label.
The Big Tent Festival of Stewardship, Falkland, Fife, 15-17 June. This year's festival theme was Minding the Future and the festival focused particularly on stewardship of wood, aiming to inspire festival goers to value wood as a beautiful, creative and versatile resource – in construction, furniture making, paper making, craft, renewable energy or simply left to grow… The festival - ‘three days of serious fun’ - this year included: the Big Question Time - a debate around how can we revive a healthy wood culture in Scotland; the Wood Tent with exhibitions of woodland stewardship issues at local and global levels, and of the many and varied lives of trees; outside demonstrations including boat and house building and crafts; a market place, cultural and education activities, talks and an opportunity to learn and shape Falkland Estate’s woodlands and forest culture.
Reforesting Scotland demonstrated sustainable use of timber and non-timber within and inside buildings and our lifestyles – together with the Scottish Ecological Design Association (SEDA) and the Association for Scottish Hardwood Sawmillers (ASHS). Our stall was sheltered by a self-build timber-frame structure - just built! (see picture, and news item below).
Timber-Frame Self-Build Course with Duncan Roberts, Falkland, Fife, 11-14 June. Run by architect and Reforesting Scotland member Duncan Roberts, in conjunction with The Big Tent at Falkland. The residential course (which Duncan runs annually at the Centre for Alternative Technology) provided a unique opportunity to learn the techniques of post and beam timber framing using locally-grown timber - and also provided space for the Reforesting Scotland stall at the Big Tent later in the week! For more information contact Duncan Roberts on 01668 213146.
Edinburgh Treefest and Wood Market, Inverleith Park, Edinburgh, 9-10 June. A wonderful event celebrating trees, crafts and sustainable lifestyles, and featuring trade stalls, demonstrations, live music, games, activities and refreshments. Thanks to everyone who came to visit or help with the Reforesting Scotland stall.
Touchwood Festival and Scottish Woodfair,
Highland Football Academy, Dingwall 1-2 June. This 2-day event showcased the diversity of the Highlands’ trees, woods, forests and environment, and networking businesses throughout the 'wood chain', from tree nurseries to wood product manufacturers. Reforesting Scotland was there, launching our fantastic exhibition, celebrating our Rural Alternatives project and demonstrating opportunities for ‘forest harvesting' across Scotland. We also helped to launch the new Scottish Working Woods Label.
(Click on the image to see a larger version.)
Logging has restarted in the disputed Saami reindeer forests in Inari. The Finnish State has decided to continue the destruction of old-growth wilderness forests in Kessi. Read more on the Greenpeace weblog.
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Report suggests limited commercial viability for domestic biomass industry Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) willow in Scotland is currently being driven by two large-scale wood-fired power stations in planning and construction at Glenrothes and Lockerbie. This report suggests that willow SRC will not be as competitive as arable farming unless grain prices fall or growers supply to the local heat market. The report also confirms that the UK will be importing most of its biomass (3mt biofuel and 3mt biodiesel) from abroad due to lack of commercial viability in the UK (for likely impacts see Reforesting Scotland Journal 35). There are investigations into production of specialist fibres and oil crops in Scotland such as hemp, crambe, borage and echium. Download the report here (
).
Reforesting Scotland hosts Indian Foresters on Scotland-wide tour Between 3 and 7 May Reforesting Scotland helped to raise international awareness of Scotland’s diverse and inspiring woodland culture by hosting a study tour of 3 prominent foresters from India. The foresters are currently involved in a DEFRA-funded biodiversity conservation project. The tour included a visit to Reforesting Scotland’s Blarbuie Project, and the Argyll Green Woodworkers Association site at Barnluasgan in Argyll, a Forest School and the Wood School in the Borders, and Loch Lomond National Park, amongst other sites. The tour was organised by Reforesting Scotland director Piers Voysey, and Guy Milligan, and was a great success. Thanks to Guy and Piers and to all who welcomed our guests and hosted them.
Reforesting Scotland Journal Issue 36 now out! - "Reclaiming our food supply".
Reforesting Scotland Local Day - East Lothian, weekend of 28-29 April. The first ‘local day’ of the year was in East Lothian, and included visits to the Chippendale School of Furniture, Pishwanton Wood, Blinkbonny Wood (and its earthship), the Scottish Ornithologists' Club's beautiful timber building at Aberlady, Amisfield walled garden, and Treewrights Workshop, as well as discussions of members' projects and the Reforesting Scotland "Homewood" idea. The occasion was well attended, and blessed with fabulous weather, and cake.
"The Earth’s Blanket", Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh This fascinating talk was given for Reforesting Scotland by Professor Nancy Turner, an ethnobotanist from the University of Victoria, British Columbia. Nancy is the author of dozens of books and other publications on plant use by the First Nations of the Pacific North West and is an honorary clan member of several groups. She is also very interested in how we in Scotland value our plants and their traditional and contemporary use. Her talk was based on her recent book, "The Earth's Blanket", which explores the wealth of ecological knowledge and spiritual connection to the natural world that is fundamental to indigenous cultures and lifeways.
"Finland feels the heat as early spring hits loggers"
Reforesting Scotland signs EU petition to abandon biofuel targets The European Commission is currently planning to adopt a mandatory target for biofuel use in transport. Given the limited resources in the EU for producing domestic biofuels the petition expresses concern that implementing these measures means that the EU will risk breaching its international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect biodiversity and human rights; the proposed targets will amongst other things promote crops with poor greenhouse gas balances, trigger deforestation and loss of biodiversity and exacerbate local land use conflicts, particularly in developing countries. Click here for more information, or to sign as an individual.
Many basket makers, garden landscapers and others looking for willow end up sourcing willow from England or further afield, when we have a lot of willow growing in Scotland. www.willowscotland.co.uk is a new website which aims to make it easier for willow users to find suppliers. It's been set up using information from research done by Reforesting Scotland in 2004 - information which may of course be out of date; this voluntary project now needs willow users and suppliers to get in touch to help make the list complete and current.
North Highland Forest Trust receive funding to save Scotland’s northern Aspen resource Various local landowners have already given permission for access to their land to allow the team of paid workers and volunteers to begin the task of root collection: the project will develop a community resource of two small polytunnels and associated propagation equipment. If you’d like to be involved, please email or phone 01408 633986.
Carbon off-setting scheme run by ‘the Carbon Neutral Company’ exposed on Skye
Another fabulous Reforesting Scotland Masked Imbolc Ceilidh - with music from Hud Yer Wheesht and guests, wintery masks and decorations, local/organic/fair trade bar, and raffle... Many thanks as ever to Robin and the Ceilidh Collective.
Canada's boreal forest worth more than minerals. Many of us knew this already but now there's an economists' report saying so as well.
Crofting Reform Bill passed It was introduced to promote more sustainable crofting communities, more local involvement in crofting administration, simplified crofting regulation, more active crofters and to give crofters greater scope to diversify their activities.
Reforesting Scotland has just started a new NTFP Sector Research and Development Project, exploring ways of supporting Scotland's wild harvesting businesses. For more information see the non-timber forest products (NTFP) page.
Old growth forest destroyed in Finland The Finnish government organisation Metsahallitus has started logging areas of old growth forest in Lapland, northern Finland, despite an agreement to survey these forests and draw up a plan before logging work begins. This action contradicts agreements signed by the Finnish government to protect biodiversity. Read more at www.forestinfo.fi/forestlapland/.
European NGOs campaign to reduce global paper consumption Find out more, and read the ‘Common Vision for Transforming the European Paper Industry’, to which Reforesting Scotland is a signatory, at www.taigarescue.org/index.php?view_article=160.
New reports on devastating effects of Indonesian palm oil production Two new reports from the NGO Sawit Watch and partners, released in November, expose the serious injustices caused to indigenous peoples, local communities and smallholders by the way oil palm plantations are being developed in Indonesia. The two studies show how the lives of tens of millions of Indonesians affected by the oil palm sector are blighted by laws, policies and practices which systematically limit their rights and prioritise the interests of estate companies, often backed by foreign investors. For more information and hard copies of the report email or .
(For previous items see the RS news archive)
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