The role of Scotland's National Forest Estate and strategic directions

ContactForest Enterprise Scotland Head Office1 Highlander WayInvernessIV2 7GBTel: 01463 232 811Fax: 01463 243 846E-mail: [email protected]: www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland

If you need this publication in an alternative format,for example, in large print or in another language,please contact: The Diversity TeamForestry CommissionSilvan House231 Corstorphine RoadEdinburgh EH12 7ATTel: 0131 314 6575E-mail: [email protected]

Published by - Forestry Commission Scotland - April 2013

ISBN - 978 0 85538 883 6

© Crown Copyright 2013

All photography from Forestry Commission Picture Library

unless otherwise stated.

Designed by Whitenoise Creative

for Forestry Commission Scotland, Edinburgh

Forestry Commission Scotland serves as part of the Scottish Government'sEnvironment and Forestry Directorate and is responsible to Scottish Ministers.

Forest Enterprise Scotland is an agency of Forestry Commission Scotlandcharged with managing the National Forest Estate.

Scotland’s National Forest Estateand strategic directions

The role of

Healthy Productive Treasured Accessible Cared for Good value

2013-2016

The role of Scotland

’s Nationa

l Forest Estate a

nd stra

tegic d

irections 2013-2016

FCFC137 WN 2K APRIL13

2

Scotland

’s Na

tional Forest Esta

te 2013-2016

The role ofScotland’s National Forest Estate

and strategic directions for 2013-2016

Forewords 2

Connecting with national priorities 4

What Scotland’s national forest estate is for 6

Introducing the national forest estate 8

The story of the estate 11

Healthy 19

Productive 23

Treasured 29

Accessible 35

Cared for 39

Good value 45

Priorities and action 48

Tha an sgrìobhainn seo a' toirt cunntas air obair agusslighe ro-innleachdail Oighreachd na Coille NàiseantaAlba. Tha seo a' dol an àite Phlana Ro-innleachdailOighreachd na Coille Nàiseanta 2009-2013.

Tha Iomairt Choilltean Alba, fo-bhuidheann aigCoimisean na Coilltearachd Alba, a' manaidseadh na h-Oighreachd as leth Mhinistearan na h-Alba. Tha PlanaCorporra agus Aithisg Bhliadhnail Choimisein naCoilltearachd (rim faicinn www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland)le barrachd fiosrachaidh air Iomairt Choilltean Alba, agusmu choinneamh riaghladh, amasan corparra, agusslatan-tomhais coileanaidh na buidhne.

Tha sinn air dàimh gu math brìgheil a chruthachadheadar an Oighreachd Nàiseanta agus na daoine a thaa' coimhead às a dèidh; le fiosrachadh air cuid denluchd-obrach againn aig toiseach gach earrann.

This document describes the role and strategicdirections for Scotland’s National Forest Estate.It replaces the National Forest Estate Strategic Plan2009-2013.

Forest Enterprise Scotland, which is an agencyof Forestry Commission Scotland, manages theEstate on behalf of Scottish Ministers. The ForestryCommission Scotland Corporate Plan and AnnualReports (see www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland) givemore information on Forest Enterprise Scotland,its governance, corporate goals, targets andperformance measures.

We’ve made the vital link between the Estateand those who look after it by introducing someof our staff at the beginning of each section.

About this document

2 3

Scotland’s N

ationa

l Forest Estate 2013-2016

Paul Wheelhouse The Minister for Environment and Climate Change

Simon HodgeChief Executive for Forest Enterprise Scotland

strategy

Scotland’s National Forest Estate is amongst one of the nation’s great assets and plays an extremelyimportant role in combating climate change, as well as acting as a key recreational resource for thepeople of Scotland.

Since taking up my Ministerial role I have been amazed at the range of benefits and services it providesacross the length and breadth of Scotland. Timber, sustainably sourced from the Estate, has provided thebasis for the emergence of Scotland’s important and growing wood-using sectors. The Estate is one ofScotland’s most significant resources for outdoor recreation, makes important contributions to our ruraltourism economy and the enhancement of our urban areas. The role of the Estate in communitydevelopment is growing, with opportunities for community renewables now complementing existingopportunities for community woodland management, woodland crofts and affordable housing.

The growing emphasis on integrated land management in a changing climate exemplifies our Land UseStrategy and is helping us to explore how we can enhance environmental quality and biodiversity, anddeliver ecosystem services in sustainably managed and productive landscapes.

The strategic directions laid out in this document will help further develop the multi-purpose role of theEstate as an asset with the potential to benefit every person in Scotland and as a key element of Scotland’soutstanding and much valued environment.

The main role of Forest Enterprise Scotland is to manage Scotland’s National Forest Estate. It isa privilege. We are excited about the potential to make more of this asset that occupies 9% ofScotland’s land area. We remain committed to our forest management and timber productionroots. But we are also showing that with clear strategic thinking, good spatial planning anda broadening range of skills and expertise, the estate can offer much more besides. In theparlance of ecosystem services, we are growing the supporting, provisioning, regulating andcultural services provided both from the Estate’s woodlands and its diverse open land area.

We are conscious that the Estate is a public asset. Ours is a stewardship role. We continueto explore how best to discharge this responsibility in 21st century Scotland, working withcommunities and partners to develop the Estate to deliver against current local and nationalpriorities, whilst also ensuring that we manage the Estate sustainably and improve it for thenext generation. This document lays out the next chapter of the Estate’s story, that now spansnearly 100 years.

May 2013 May 2013

54

strategy

The National Forest Estate is diverse and delivers asurprising breadth of benefits over a range of ScottishGovernment priorities:

• We align our work to Scotland Performs – theScottish Government’s performance framework.The ‘priorities and actions’ section at the end ofthis document links to Scotland Performs.

• The National Forest Estate is one of the biggestopportunities for the Scottish Government todirectly implement the principles of the Land UseStrategy. In line with the Land Use Strategy, weaim to deliver multiple benefits from the Estate,through working in partnership with nature andby linking people with the land.

• There are important opportunities to implementthe Scottish Government’s climate changecommitments by harnessing the ability of treesto sequester carbon, by providing environmentalservices like contributing to flood mitigation, andby ensuring the Estate and its biodiversity is robustand able to adapt to climate change. This linksclosely with the Estate’s substantial contributionto the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.

Connecting with national priorities

• The Estate has a major role to play in delivering against the six themes of theScottish Forestry Strategy and Forestry Commission Scotland’s target outcomes:

• Economy: Competitive and innovative businesses contributing to growth inthe Scottish Economy;

• Community: Improved health and wellbeing of people and their communities;

• Environment: A high quality, robust and adaptable environment.

• The Estate has important contributions to make to other sectoral strategies:

• Government Economic Strategy;

• Tourism Scotland 2020;

• Good Places, Better Health, and Equally Well;

• Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiativeand Community Empowerment Action Plan;

• Skills for Scotland, and More Choices, More Chances;

• Curriculum for Excellence;

• Out there - sport and physical activity in the outdoors andReaching Higher, Scotland’s national strategy for sport;

• The Outdoor Access Code;

• National Planning Framework and the Central ScotlandGreen Network Action Programme;

• Partnership Plans for the Cairngorms National Park andLoch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park;

• River Basin Management Plans;

• Scotland’s Wild Deer: A National Approach.

We are currently reviewing our land managementplanning system: how we link national commitmentsand decision-making to local action. We will renew ourDistrict Strategic Plans in 2013 to make these links moreexplicit. This will be informed by a national and regionalspatial analysis, which will help us discuss withstakeholders the appropriate balance of objectives foreach land management area. This analysis and theresultant District Strategic Plans will be subject to publicconsultation and Strategic Environmental Assessment.

In this way we will be able to better target ourresources and management prescriptions, and bemore ambitious where the benefits will be greatest.For example we want to focus habitat managementand restoration effort where it will have highest impact,to focus tourism investments where they will derivemost benefit, and to look at how we can increasetimber productivity in areas best suited to providingquality timber.

Connecting with whatwe do on the ground

6 7

Scotland’s N

ationa


strategy

The role of the Estate can also be described in terms of the ecosystem servicesit has the potential to provide:

• Supporting services such as primary production, nutrient dispersal and cycling;

• Provisioning services such as timber, food (farmed and wild), water, minerals,energy (hydropower, wind energy and biomass fuels);

• Regulating services such as carbon sequestration and climate regulation,flood management, purification of water and air, detoxification of contaminatedsites and biological reservoirs for crop pollination and pest and disease control;

• Cultural services around recreational experiences, cultural, intellectual andspiritual inspiration and scientific advancement.

The purpose of the Estate was laid out in the 2006 Scottish Forestry Strategy,but has evolved slightly since that time and can now be expressed as:

• Safeguarding ‘national treasures’;

• Delivering economic, forestry for people and community benefits;

• Timber production for market stability and development;

• Contributing to the Scottish Government’s climate change targets;

• Landscape-scale management for biodiversity and ecosystem services;

• Supporting policy, R&D and exemplars of land use integration and best practice.

Healthy, achieving good environmental andsilvicultural condition in a changing climate

Productive providing sustainable economicbenefits from the land

Treasured as a multi-purpose resource that sustainslivelihoods, improves quality of life, and offersinvolvement and enjoyment

Accessible, local woodlands and nationaltreasures that are well promoted, welcomingand open for all

Cared for, working with nature and respectinglandscapes, natural and cultural heritage

Good value, exemplary, effective and efficientdelivery of public benefits

We have drawn onthese approaches in presenting

the role of the Estate throughsix aspirations: that the

National Forest Estate is:

What Scotland’snational forestestate is for:

Forestry Stewardship Council and PEFCapproved sustainable woodland managementcertification and ISO14001 EnvironmentalManagement Systems accreditation.

8 9

Scotland’s N

ationa


strategy

The National Forest Estate covers nearly 9% ofScotland’s land mass, extending to over 650,000ha.It comprises forests, woodlands and open ground.Widely distributed around Scotland, the Estate hasdeveloped over the last 93 years in response to theforestry objectives of successive governments. Aroundtwo-thirds is woodland and one-third is open ground,including agricultural land, mountains, peat bogs,water bodies and coast. These habitats and land usesare a defining feature of Scotland’s internationallyrenowned landscapes.

In the west - from Wester Ross down through Skye,Lochaber, Mull and Argyll - we look after extensiveareas of quick-growing conifers (mostly Sitka sprucein these areas), but we also look after important areasof native woodlands, like the Sunart Oak Woods.

The North Highlands, the Cairngorm Massif and theGreat Glen are also renowned for high quality coniferforests set within the grandeur of mountain andmoorland landscapes. The high yield forests along theGreat Glen provide a magnificent backdrop for tourismbut here too native woodland restoration is a highpriority, as exemplified by our work to restore theCaledonian pinewoods in Inshriach and Glenmore.

Introducing the national forest estate

The dry and sandy soils of eastern Scotland tendto support pine forests like Culbin, Roseisle andLossiemouth on the shores of the Moray Firth andTentsmuir at the mouth of the Tay, but Clashindarrochand Fetteresso, in the more fertile Grampian foothillsare more suited to high-yielding Sitka spruce.

Across Perthshire, Loch Lomond and the Trossachsand the central belt of Scotland, the mixed forestsand habitats of the National Forest Estate are part ofthe rich landscape tapestry that provides the settingfor much of urban Scotland.

In the south east, the rolling hills of the Bordersfarmland are interwoven with forests, like the TweedValley’s Glentress, which provide extensive outdoorrecreation opportunities, while in the south west,larger conifer woodlands spread from Eskdalemuiracross the Southern Uplands to form some of ourlargest forest areas, supporting a concentrationof saw mills and many forestry jobs.

Easterhouse Woods, GlasgowUrban woodlands managed

in consultation with the local

community.

Sunart Oak Woodsancient semi-natural

woodland, home to

one of Scotland’s

finest collections of

“lower plants”.

Culbin ForestMainly productive pine

growing on a frozen sand

dune system.

7stanes atGlentress One of the UK’s

premier mountain

bike trail centres.

Lael Forest includes one of thefirst small scale hydro schemeson the NFE.

Galloway Forest Districtproduces around 700,000 m3

of timber per annum

10 11

Scotland’s N

ationa


strategy

The story of the estate

The origins of Scotland's National Forest Estate go back nearly one

hundred years. The Forestry Act of 1919 and the need to develop a

strategic timber reserve coincided with post-war opportunities to

acquire large areas of land, but even before this the government

was recognising the need to develop Britain's forest resources.

1919

2013

12

The post-war era also saw increased recognition of theneed for access and recreation. The public were given a‘right to roam’ in state-owned forests and the first ForestParks were established. Also at this time the seeds weresown of today’s understanding of landscape design –unfortunately too late for some of the straight-edgedearly plantings. From the 1970s, conservation andamenity issues grew in importance, with a newemphasis on woodland diversity, broadleaves, andcreating a sympathetic landscape. For the first time,forests were seen as important wildlife reserves. Also atthis time, the value of Scotland’s extensive bog habitatsstarted to be recognised, bringing a halt to extensivewoodland creation on peatlands.

Between the wars, the Forestry Commission's Estatecontinued to grow, and by 1937 the Commission wasworking with the Board of Trade on detailed plans forfelling in the event of another conflict.

After 1945 work began on restoring the forest Estate.Many newly-acquired felled or neglected woodlandswere planted, but the availability of land for new forestswas mainly in areas unsuitable for food production,although some of these were not ideal for forestry either.

In the early years of the Estate, foresters turned to NorthAmerica for productive trees that would suit our soils andclimate. One in particular – Sitka spruce – became thecornerstone of the Scottish timber-processing industry,supporting thousands of jobs.

The story of Scotland’s National Forest Estate over thepast 30 years has been one of diversification, as ourobjectives have broadened, continuing to producetimber for the national processing sector and localuse, but also to include recreation, community andenvironmental benefits.

The post-War forests are now being carefullyrestructured as they reach maturity, although wheretrees grow less quickly, change will take longer. TodayScotland’s National Forest Estate is managed as aproductive, recreation and environmental resource,comprising a range of habitats and a diversity ofwoodland types.

13

the story of the estate

14 15

Scotland’s N

ationa



We are restoring not only ancient woodland sites thatwere planted with non-native species, but also rareopen habitats such as lowland raised mires andblanket bogs whose value was once overlooked. Wehave also been able to re-align the straight edges ofplantations and achieve a better, more sympatheticlandscape and better integration between woodlandand open ground.

The Estate now has national importance for redsquirrels, capercaillie, osprey, and many rare plantsand lichens. It is also Scotland’s main recreationprovider, offering unique walking, cycling and wildlife-watching amenities, and contributing an estimated£165m annually to the tourism economy.

We have extended the benefits of forestry to urbanareas through our Woods In and Around Townsprogramme. In the last 10 years we have createdaround 1400ha (2000 football pitches) of new

‘Serried ranks of conifers’

The extensive 20th century conifer plantings wereonce described as ‘serried ranks of conifers marchingover the hills’.

Modern forest design is much better at creatingdiversity and blending with the landscape.

We still need some tightly-spaced trees to producestraight stems for high quality timber, but as thesetrees grow older we thin them out where we canto let in the light and at treasured sites create the‘cathedral groves’ that so many of our visitors admire.

woodlands in and around towns, and we are closelyinvolved in transforming Scotland’s legacy of derelictindustrial land.

We have contributed to around 100 communitywoodland partnerships since 2000, helping peopleget involved with managing their local woodlands,and supporting groups that want to buy or lease partof the Estate through the National Forest Land Schemefor their own silvicultural management, for theprovision of affordable housing or for communitypower generation. We are significant partners in the management of Scotland’s two National Parks.

The National Forest Estate is being increasinglyrecognised as an important carbon store and we areworking to steward this resource wisely, recognisingthe importance of carbon locked up both in treegrowth and in the Estate’s soils.

16 17

Scotland’s N

ationa


Realigning our land holding

In order to increase the delivery of benefits we have been changingthe composition of Scotland’s National Forest Estate by selling landand forests that contribute least public benefits, and re-investing inpriority areas.

An ongoing programme of portfolio analysis is guiding where toinvest most effort in improving the existing Estate, and to makedecisions about what to sell and what to buy in our RepositioningProgramme. The criteria for sale and acquisition are agreed withMinisters and published on the FCS website along with details ofthe area and value of land bought and sold in each year.

Between 2005 and 2011 we sold about 21,000haof land and acquired about 20,000ha.

The effects of the policy have been to:

• Allow us to create new woodlands, currently around1000ha per year;

• Give more people an opportunity to enjoy the Estate bycreating new woodland and increasing our land holdingsin and around urban areas;

• Provide opportunities to explore the integration of forestry,agriculture, and other land uses;

• Improve management efficiency by rationalising the locationof forest areas and reducing areas of high cost/low output.

The National Forest Land Scheme allowscommunity organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to buyor lease NFE land in order to provide publicbenefits. These houses were built by the AlbynHousing Society using Scottish timber, and offeraffordable accommodation to local people.


18 19

Scotland’s N

ationa


strategy

Healthyachieving good environmental and silvicultural

condition in a changing climate

Healthy forests don’t just happen, theyhave to be planned for. I’m working on anew spatial planning strategy for the Estatethat makes better use of the informationwe collect about our land and forests toensure they have a sustainable future.

In drawing up our plans we need to takeaccount of a whole range of things likesoil type, water-quality, climatic exposure,important species and habitats, and howpeople are wanting to access the forest.Anticipating climate change meansrevising our understanding of speciessuitability and management systems.

New GIS and remote sensing technologiesare giving us new perspectives onintegrated land management planning,on everything from monitoring treediseases to planning recreation sitesand regenerating native woodlands.It’s awesome to think that the work I donow will have an impact on the landscapefor years - centuries - to come.

Helen Sellars, Planning FrameworkProject Manager

20 21

Scotland’s N

ationa


healthy

This section is about the health of the environment, ratherthan delivering health benefits to people (that’s covered inTreasured and Accessible).

Our increasingly ecological approach to landmanagement means working with natural processesand within the limits of soil and climatic conditions. Weare reducing management intensity where we can, forexample by having longer rotations and using naturalregeneration. We are committed to high qualitysilviculture and increasingly using alternatives to clear-felling where soils and climate allow – we think this mightwork on about 20% of the Estate’s forest area. We areexploring how to best steward the carbon resourceslocked up in both the Estate’s trees and soils.

The scale of our land holdings gives us a unique ability toplan our land management at a landscape/catchmentscale to look at how we can combine land uses andobjectives to deliver the widest range of benefits. Thisincludes developing habitat networks, often based aroundriver systems to also deliver water quality benefits, andpotentially make a contribution to flood alleviation. Where

the Estate isn’t best placed to deliver these services, theremay be scope through the repositioning programme toincrease the Estate’s contribution through land acquisition.

We will help the Estate to adapt to climate change andbecome more resilient to pressure. We are diversifyingspecies composition and choosing the best seed sourcesfor changing conditions, as well as diversifying foreststructure. We have contingency plans for major disasterssuch as storm damage and fire, and are implementingstrategies to deal with new pests and diseases likeDothistroma needle blight of pine, Phytophthora ramorumdisease on larch and Chalara fraxinea on ash.

We are committed to dealing with invasive plants andanimals that threaten habitats and biodiversity,including the rapid-spreading and stifling Rhododendronponticum. In some places we control the introduced greysquirrel to protect red squirrel refugia and to try andprevent the deadly squirrel pox disease spreadingthrough Scotland.

Grazing and browsing by animals is an important naturalprocess in shaping forests and other habitats, but whilst itcan promote diversity, too much can be damaging. Weactively manage deer populations to keep their impactpositive. In some places we graze cattle and sheep tohelp manage the land.

We have around 67,500ha designated forconservation importance, and more than 350sites designated for archaeological heritage.

Phytophthora ramorumon Japanese larchThis fungal disease was firstdetected on larch in Scotland in2010. It is fatal to the larch trees itinfects. There is no known cure. Wehave acted quickly to fell infectedand surrounding trees in the initialoutbreak sites in Argyll. Regularhelicopter surveys are undertakenand in 2012 these picked up moreextensive infection in Galloway,from windblown inoculum.

It is with heavy hearts that we arerapidly felling several hundredhectares of larch in GallowayForest Park to help stem thespread of this disease. We will berevising our land managementplans as we look for newopportunities to diversify theforest and its landscape.

22

productive

I know I’m working for a large organisation but it feels like I’mworking for everyone who gets a benefit from our forests, bothnow and in the future. That makes me very proud.

As a forest manager my job is to plan, organise and plant thenext generation of forests.

We need to be clear on our mix of objectives for each site, be itconservation, recreation, community or mainly timber supply. Iam responsible for planting as many as a million trees a year.

We’re now implementing the plans that are creating the multi-purpose forests of the future. We know we’re working for anorganisation, but it really feels like we’re working for everyone.

John Mulgrew, Forest Manager

23

Scotland’s N

ationa


Productive providing sustainable economic

benefits from the land

productive

24

We aim to increase the contribution of the National

Forest Estate to the economy of Scotland and its

regions and recognise the potential of the Estate to

assist transition to a low carbon economy. We are

working to secure improved data, but we know that the

Estate supports a significant proportion of the 31,000 jobs

in forest management timber processing and forest

related recreation and tourism, commensurate with it

representing around 35% of Scotland’s woodland and

40% of its timber harvest. Many of these jobs are in

fragile rural areas.

Forest management and timber production activities

alone add some £190m of gross value added to the

Scottish economy (direct, indirect and induced 2007/08

prices). We also recognise the importance of our

communities, recreation and tourism work in generating

local economic activity. The Estate makes many

contributions to wider economic activity, for example

through our renewables programme, deer stalking,

farming and the release of small parcels of land for

built development and affordable housing.

Timber production from the National Forest Estate was

the under-pinning basis for the development of Scotland’s

timber processing sector – with the total contribution of

Scottish grown timber now worth over £460m/year at

25

Scotland’s N

ationa


In meeting our responsibility to promote timber market stability anddevelopment, we aim to provide at least three million cubicmetres of softwood timber every year on a sustainable basis.

By co-ordinating information from individual forest plans we knowexactly when and where harvesting will take place and can predict and schedule timber production for many years into the future.

We are looking at ways that Scotland’s National Forest Estate can helpmeet anticipated demand in the biomass sector, with a particularfocus on underused materials such as branches and tree tops.

The increasing diversity of timber producing species on the Estate willprovide new opportunities to develop employment in manufacturingand traditional crafts.

1 http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/fcrn102.pdf/$FILE/fcrn102.pdf

2007/08 prices, or 0.5% of gross value added to the

Scottish economy1. As private sector timber supplies have

grown, the proportion of Scotland’s supply from the

National Forest Estate has diminished, but still represents

about 40% of national production. This guaranteed

supply is highly valued by the sector as providing stability

in the timber market and the confidence for continued

long-term investment in the timber processing and

down-stream jobs.

As we increase the diversity of the Estate, our timber will

come from a greater range of species. Sitka spruce will

remain highly important because of its ability to offer

good growth rates and desirable timber in Scottish

conditions but we intend to manage at least a quarter

of our expanding broadleaved woodlands to produce

quality hardwoods and fuel wood. As a wider range

of timber is harvested, we will market it in ways that

encourage value adding and additional jobs in

manufacturing and processing.

Managing the Estate provides work in rural areas and

we will use our work programmes to promote the

development of the forestry and land management

sectors, recognising the benefits of contributing to

local economic activity, especially in the more fragile

rural areas.

About 1 million tonnes ofcarbon are locked up inthe trees on Scotland'sNational Forest Estateevery year.

Combating climate change - a role

for UK forests 'TSO', 2009

A Valuation of the Economic and Social Contributionof Forestry for People in Scotland. Research Reportfor Forestry Commission Scotland. Forest Research.Edinburgh. Available at:www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/forestryforpeople

27

Scotland’s N

ationa


26

productive

We will also take opportunities to increase agricultural use

of the Estate where this is consistent with environmental

objectives. We already have over 100 agricultural tenancies and

grazing lets extending to 17,000ha, but we hope to bring more

of our open ground into active agricultural use. Where buildings

and suitable land are available, we are creating starter farms

to help integrate farming and forestry. We will also look at the

sustainable economic potential of the extensive moorlands on

the Estate.

We will work with the wind and hydro sectors to realise the

Estate’s renewable energy potential, working towards the

Scottish Government’s target of 2GW from the Estate by

2020, whilst achieving a reasonable balance with other

objectives. We recognise that renewable developments not only

support the transition to a low carbon economy, but play a part

in encouraging investments in high quality jobs and businesses.

We will work to ensure communities are engaged and benefit

from our renewable developments, through either direct

community Benefits, investment opportunities or community

led developments. Where woodland removal occurs, we will

work with developers to implement the Scottish Government’s

woodland removal policy and where appropriate apply

compensatory planting measures.

We will work with the biomass energy sector to utilise the wood

fuel that can be sustainably managed from the Estate.

We are currently creating around 1000ha of new woodland every year

supporting the Scottish Government's woodland expansion policy.

Suitable land is acquired through our repositioning programme, or

leased through our short-term leasing scheme. These new woods are

designed in accordance with the recommendations of the Woodland

Expansion Advisory Group to be productive, accessible and good for

biodiversity, while promoting land use integration and helping meet

Scotland’s greenhouse gas reduction targets.

We are working with Visit Scotland, the National Parks, the tourism

business community and local partners to find new ways to harness

our natural and cultural heritage and develop the Estate’s potential

for tourism. We have developed the Estate into a major tourism

resource. Direct spending from National Forest Estate-related tourism

and recreation is estimated to give rise to a total gross value added to

the Scottish economy of around £230 million (2011/12 prices)2. It has

already made Scotland one of the world’s premier mountain biking

locations and is raising Scotland’s reputation as a wildlife-watching and

out-door sporting destination. We are improving our tourism offer, for

example we are currently making major upgrades to our visitor centres

and developing a network of wildlife viewing destinations across

Scotland. We are also working with businesses and partners to seek

new opportunities and promote the tourism potential of the Estate, for

example through the 7stanes Mountain Biking CiC. Through our

partnerships with Forest Holidays and Camping in the Forest we are

investing in high quality forest-based accommodation.

2 A Valuation of the Economic and Social Contribution of Forestry for People in Scotland. Research Report for ForestryCommission Scotland. Forest Research. Edinburgh. Available at: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/forestryforpeople

From Selkirk to Peebles, seven forestsform the Tweed Valley Forest Park.Together they provide one of Scotland’smost popular outdoor attractions,drawing over 300,000 visitors a yearto the area. The gateway to the parkis at Glentress Peel, where in 2011 wecompleted an £8.4m investment in ourvisitor facilities, a real showcasewelcome for our visitors to enjoy way-marked trails, learn about ospreys andother wildlife in our Wild Watch facility,relax in the café, take a tree topadventure or hire a bike and ride the7stanes mountain bike trails.

The Tweed Valley is just one part ofsouth Scotland’s 7stanesmountain bike network,which provides a £9meconomic benefit everyyear (Ekos, 2008) andhas gained internationalaccolades for itsmountain bike offering.

The Central Scotland Green Network is a national priorityin the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework(NPF2), recognising the value of high quality greenspaceas a tool for urban regeneration.

By contributing to this and similar programmes we arehelping to improve Scotland’s urban areas and to makeScotland an attractive place to locate and invest.

28 29

Scotland’s N

ationa


strategy

Treasuredas a multi-purpose resource that sustains

livelihoods, improves quality of life, and offers

involvement and enjoyment

Things have changed a lot during my 25 years working as a forester.

We’ve shown that producing timber can work alongside doing a huge amount of goodfor habitats and species, and we’re learning all the time. For example, we now havefewer deer fences to prevent woodland grouse flying into them.

Thanks to the resources of Forest Enterprise Scotland I can make sure things happenwhen it best suits the wildlife. It’s satisfying to manage conservation projects on thelarge-scale needed by species ranging from wood ants to capercaillie.

I’m a keen nature photographer and I often find myself spending my days off in myoutdoor workplace. The National Forest Estate is a fantastic place for nature and itsgreat that everyone can enjoy it.

Colin Leslie, Environment Officer

30 31

Scotland’s N

ationa


treasured

The National Forest Estate is one of Scotland’s greatest assets,providing economic, social and environmental benefits to thepeople of Scotland, wherever they happen to live.

It’s also home to many treasures, recognised for their naturaland cultural heritage or as exceptional woodlands.Spectacular views, rare plants and ancient monuments allcontribute to a vital sense of place and belonging, whetherthey’re found on the doorstep of our cities or in the furthestreaches of our wildernesses.

With free and open access encouraged throughout the Estate,Scots, and visitors from around the world, can connect withour forests and wide open spaces, and enjoy the diversity oflandscapes shaped by our management of woodland,farmland and wild places.

We recognise the value to local communities andcommunities of interest, in getting involved with theNational Forest Estate – both through what can be achievedon the Estate, and because involvement can strengthencommunities. We want to encourage local people to getinvolved with using and managing local Estate woodlandsso we will actively engage with local communities, be opento work in partnership, and through the National Forest LandScheme, facilitate communities who would like to buy or leasepart of the Estate.

The Estate is also a good place for volunteering and gainingemployment skills. In the past two years we have sought toprovide opportunities through third sector organisations forover 200 young people a year to gain employment skills, andin addition provided for 30 apprenticeships places. We willcontinue to use the Estate as a place for volunteering andgaining employment skills.

As guardian of Scotland’s National Forest Estate, we arecommitted to creating more uniquely special places acrossthe Estate and to delivering benefits to an increasinglydiverse range of Scotland’s people.

The visual attractiveness of the Estate is an important part of itsappeal. We use professional landscape architects to help usdesign forests that complement the landscape, redesigning

hard edges and creating a more natural tree line. We planthe size and shape of timber harvesting areas to fit into thelandscape, although the windy Scottish weather sometimesover-rides our efforts! We are committed to providing a highquality countryside experience, with well designed and wellused facilities free from litter, fly-tipping and clutter.

We recognise the value of the Estate as a place forresearch and development of best practice. We haveover 500 experimental sites and long-term monitoring plotsacross the Estate and many of the now-accepted principlesof British forestry and wildlife management underwentpractical development on the Estate. The Estate is beingused as a place for trial species reintroductions includingbeavers and sea eagles.

One-flowered wintergreen Moneses unifloraOne-flowered wintergreen is found in timber-producing pine plantations andnative Caledonian pine forests and can be hard to spot amongst the smallshrubs and decaying pine needles in the shade of the forest floor. It is one ofthe rarest plants in Scotland, and FES managed woods contain a significantproportion of its national population.

Also known as St Olaf’s candlestick and wood nymph, its long stem bears asingle white flower in summer. It appears to benefit from forest management,being spread around by harvesting machinery. Conversely, its small coloniesare also sensitive to disturbance. We go to great lengths to identify andsafeguard colonies of rare plants and protect them during forest operations.

33

Scotland’s N

ationa


32

treasured

Biodiversity monitoring onthe National Forest EstateTo understand population trends of priority species andinvestigate the impacts of management, FES has setup rigorous, long-term monitoring programmes forcapercaillie, black grouse, pearl-bordered fritillary andchequered skipper. FES monitoring is now making itpossible to determine national trends for pearl-borderedfritillary and chequered skipper. Monitoring red squirrelsis difficult and costly, so we have set up a trial monitoringprogramme within four squirrel strongholds to investigatethe efficacy and practicality of the preferred method.

We have also been working in partnership to establishdetailed long-term monitoring plots in some of our keynative pinewoods at Glenmore, Glen Garry and the Blackwood of Rannoch. Findings from researchers haveprovided valuable information on the rate of recruitmentand mortality of trees, the length of time that deadwoodpersists and the long-term response to different forms ofmanagement carried out originally to stimulate naturalregeneration. Some work has also been undertaken in theoakwoods at Dalavaich and Glen Nant to understand thedevelopment of natural regeneration in response todifferent forms of management.

We have many sets of fixed point photographs in placeslike Glen Affric where three cycles of monitoring haveprovided valuable information about habitat developmentfollowing restoration on ancient woodland sites andchanges in deer populations.

Glen Affric – anational treasureGlen Affric is one of Scotland’smost beautiful glens.Caledonian pinewoods andlochs fit intimately into adramatic mountainlandscape. The Glen hasone of the largest areas ofCaledonian pinewood inScotland. Pioneeringrestoration and expansionwork, which started in the1960’s, continues to thecurrent day. Glen Affric is aNational Nature Reserve andis internationally renowned.With around half of the100,000 visitors each yearcoming from abroad, it is animportant contributor to thelocal tourism economy.

Working with theLaggan communityWe’ve been working with theLaggan Forest Trust inStrathmashie Forest for nearly15 years now. The focus is onpromoting economicsustainability for the localcommunity through tourismdevelopment. The Trust iscurrently working up excitingplans for a new forest centrewhich will benefit both visitorsto the acclaimed Wolftraxmountain bike trails and thelocal community.

34 35

Scotland’s N

ationa


accessible

My role largely focuses on providing a warm welcome to our visitors and helpingthem to make the most of their visit. We have many fantastic resources within theGalloway Forest Park for locals and visitors to enjoy.

I’m really lucky, I’m involved in loads of things, from initial website enquiries, tointerpretation panels and leaflets to improving access facilities. I work with otherorganisations and businesses on wildlife tourism projects promoting, andencouraging visitors to experience the fantastic wildlife watching opportunitieswe have in our region. No one day is the same as the next.

I love meeting new visitors to the Galloway Forest Park, as I know this is likely tobe their first of many visits for years to come.

Lucy Hadley, Recreation Ranger

Accessiblelocal woodlands and national

treasures that are well promoted,

welcoming and open for all

34

36 37

Scotland’s N

ationa


accessible

When a section of the Galloway Forest Park wasdesignated as the UK’s first Dark Sky Park, themove generated worldwide interest.

There are now ten recommended viewing sites,including four key sites with interpretation boards,and a number of other places where visitors cansimply pull off the road and look at the stars.

To find out more, or download the monthly podcast,visit www.forestry.gov.uk/darkskygalloway

Through our Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT)programme we aim to provide more opportunitiesfor more of Scotland’s people to enjoy high-quality countryside and find health, education,skills and community involvement benefits. Wehave already improved and created dozens of newurban woodland sites across the Central Belt andbeyond. We manage these sites to a highenvironmental standard, and Woodland Wardensand Community Rangers are on hand to helppeople enjoy and get involved in their local woods.

Photo trails created by the Fieldfare Trust allowpotential visitors to see if a given path will suit them.Users can view countryside routes online throughphotographs and descriptions, taking in surface, pathwidth, gradients, barriers and amenities such as seats,disabled parking, and accessible toilets.

FES has worked with the Trust to develop 13 Phototrails(approx 27km) on the Estate. They can be viewed atwww.phototrails.org.

The path to Castle Dounie Castle Dounie is a classic example of a lateprehistoric dun: a small stone-built strongholdon a rocky knoll in Knapdale, West Argyll,intended as much to impress as to defend.Part of the same settlement tradition as brochsand crannogs, it was included in recent laserscan surveys on the National Forest Estate inWest Argyll.

In line with the Monument Management Planfor Castle Dounie, we recently replaced anexisting informal path with a well-defined anddurable new access route with natural stonesteps so that more people can appreciate thisstunning vantage point.

We are encouraging use of the Estate as an outdoor classroom, a green gym, a place toescape the pressures of modern life, to enjoy outdoor activities and sports and to experienceiconic wildlife.

The Scottish Government’s Good Places – Better Health implementation plan recognises that thephysical environment that surrounds us is key to our health and wellbeing and that we need tocreate positive physical environments which nurture better health and wellbeing. To quote the2006 Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer: “How people feel about their physicalsurroundings, can impact on not just mental health and wellbeing, but also physical disease.”

We also actively encourage the use of the Estate as a place for outdoor learning – a livingclassroom for learning about nature, sustainability and the environment; a place to acquirepractical life skills and a great opportunity for exercise and adventure.

We will continue to encourage use of the Estate for health benefits and outdoor learning.

New recreation facilities are designed to maximise accessibility, and we are working to identifyother sites where accessibility can be improved. We are working with stakeholders to make theEstate a good place for a whole range of activities including outdoor sport and wildlife viewing.Continuing investment in road and track networks is making it easier for the public to reach theremoter parts of the Estate as well as assisting our management and conservation work. Wehost events and provide information aimed at a diverse range of users. We will continue toinvest available resources into high quality facilities that encourage and help visitorsexperience and enjoy the outdoor environment. All of the money we raise as part of ourrecreation provision ploughed back into recreation facilities and the outdoor environment.

Across the Estate we pay special attention to the most visited areas – we call them visitorzones, including areas with recreation facilities or next to busy public roads. We will investin management of visitor zones to make them attractive and welcoming.

39

Scotland’s N

ationa


strategy

Cared forworking with nature and

respecting landscapes, natural

and cultural heritage

I started with the Forestry Commission as ateenager working on cutting squads. But whenI got the chance to become a wildlife ranger, itchanged everything. Now I’m a conservationmanager responsible for everything from newtsto golden eagles.

Species management means looking afterhabitats. This can involve taking out trees,supplementary planting and removing invasiveshrubs like rhododendron. Black grouse, forexample, do best where the forest edge is open,with good vegetation and well-spaced trees.

I work closely with the operational teams,checking for nests and letting them know whenand where it’s safe to work. I also track birds ofprey to help our understanding of how they fitinto forest systems.

It's a job that's also a way of life.

David Anderson, Conservation Manager

38

cared for

40 41

Scotland’s N

ationa


The Estate includes a wide range of special species,habitats and features. We have around 67,500hadesignated for conservation importance, and more than350 sites designated for their archaeological heritage.We are committed to maintaining designated sites ingood condition.

Ancient woodland sites with a long continuity ofwoodland management represent around 4% of theEstate. We are restoring around 85% of areas onancient woodland sites to largely native species,using where possible, techniques designed to maximisethe survival of their rich assemblage of species. Theremaining areas will be enhanced through ourmanagement, but retaining some non-native treeswhere they are delivering special benefits. Operationsto restore ancient woodland sites with non-nativeplantation species commenced in 3,400 hectaresbetween 2005 and 2012 and follow-up operations toprogress restoration have been undertaken in 2,200hectares. Threats to ancient woodland remnants aremonitored and action is programmed to reduce threatlevels. Management of ancient woodland sites hasbeen embedded in our planning.

We are also expanding our native woodlands across theEstate. In the north and east Highlands this includes theexpansion of ‘Caledonian’ pinewoods, but elsewhere thefocus is on native broadleaves, and we are planning for a

long-term increase in broadleaved tree cover from thecurrent 8% of woodland cover to around 20%. Between2005 and 2012, we established over 3,000 hectares ofnew native broadleaved woodland and 1,800 hectaresof new native pinewood. This has been undertaken onnewly acquired ground, previously open ground abovethe existing treeline and ground converted fromplantation forest. We have plans for more landscapescale native woodland expansion projects, for example inLochaber and Galloway. The diversity of our open habitatsis equally important. From coastal sand dunes to uplandblanket bogs we are committed to maintaining the bestopen habitats in good ecological condition. In someplaces we are removing plantation forests to restore rarehabitats such as lowland raised mires. We have nowsurveyed 60% of the open land on the estate for priorityhabitats and the data is used to inform planning andoperational work to safe guard important habitats.Training courses in open priority habitat identificationand internal guidance are helping us develop our habitatmanagement skills. We have consulted on strategicguidance to define our future priorities. During 2011/12we undertook management work on over 2000 hectaresof open habitat to improve the condition of 11 differentUKBAP priority habitats. In addition 90 hectares ofblanket bog and 30 hectares of lowland raised bogwere restored.

Limestone Pavement habitatrestoration, Lassintullich Forest,Tay Forest DistrictLimestone pavement is one of the rarest andmost species rich UKBAP habitats found onthe national forest estate. Our habitat surveyprogramme has recently identified previouslyunknown examples in North Highland and Skye.

At Lassintullich Forest on Tayside, our largestarea of limestone pavement is being restoredfrom conifer plantations planted decades ago,when nature conservation was less of aconsideration in forestry. Uncommon speciessuch as the Northern Brown Argus are alsobenefitting from habitat conservation work onlimestone habitats.

Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus

The largest grouse species in the world, the turkey-sized males areunmistakable. They spend about half the year on the ground eatingplants, and half the year in conifer trees eating needles. A localisedspecies, found in semi-native Scots pinewoods, a rare and vulnerablehabitat, and in productive conifer plantations. In fact, coniferplantations are a crucial habitat for this species and capercaillieproduce more young in some plantations than in semi-native woods.The UK capercaillie population has declined over the last couple ofdecades and there is a very real risk of extinction (for what is probablythe second time) for this 'Red List' species. However, conservationaction has recently slowed the decline and bought valuable timeto understand fully the problems facing this species.

43

Scotland’s N

ationa


42

cared for

Thousands of species find a home on the Estate. The best way to care formany of them is to care for their habitats. However, we will identifyparticularly vulnerable species for which the National Forest Estate isimportant and take specific conservation action. In particular, the ForestryCommission Scotland Biodiversity Strategy has identified six that are especiallyvulnerable and need the highest level of management that we can provide:

• Red squirrel

• Capercaillie

• Black Grouse

• Pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly

• Chequered skipper butterfly

• Juniper

Between 2008 and 2012, more than twenty-thousand hectares of habitat havebeen improved in specific ways for these species, and other actions, such asculling of predators and non-native competitors, have been undertaken. Inaddition, standard forestry operations are being altered to benefit thesespecies. For some species like juniper, new populations have been discoveredthrough systematic survey.

The estate is rich in archaeology and cultural heritage features. To date wehave recorded some 12,000 historic environment features, their location,extent and description within our integrated planning system. We safeguardarchaeological sites through our planning and management and recognisespecial places and features with local cultural meaning.

44 45

Scotland’s N

ationa


strategy

Good Valueexemplary, effective and efficient

delivery of public benefits

I am responsible for harvesting overhalf a million tonnes of timber from ourwoodlands in the North of Scotland everyyear. I am also responsible for makingsure the areas that are felled arereplanted. That’s about 800ha ofreplanting every year. Add to that12 kilometres of road building andmaintenance every year and I’mreally kept busy.

We negotiate to get the best incomepossible from our timber, and I keep avery close eye on achieving best valuefrom the resources we invest in the forest.

I run the ‘Log Shop’ near Inverness. It’san area set aside for us to sell some ofour high grade timber to niche markets -a great way to add value and providetimber for special projects.

It’s a fantastic job that gets me to somebrilliant parts of Scotland and allows meto shape how Scotland looks now andin the future.

Julian FryerArea Operations Manager, Highlands

46 47

Scotland’s N

ationa


good value

We aim to manage the National Forest Estateeffectively and efficiently. To be more effective weare strengthening our focus on identifying strategicpriorities, and linking these with where outcomescan be best delivered on the ground. We believe incontinuous improvement, and constantly strive to findmore efficient ways to manage the Estate. We workcollaboratively with neighbours and others, andhelp share good practice, where it will contributeto improved delivery of our objectives. We arestrengthening our planning processes to take greateraccount of wider land use in the way we set objectivesfor each land area.

Direct government funding accounts for around a thirdof our management budget and is channelled towardsrecreation, community and environmental benefits,and strategic capital investments including visitorcentres and forest roads. By bringing in income fromother sources we seek to minimise the amount ofScottish Government funding needed to managethe Estate.

Our main source of income is from timber production,and this is supplemented by income from otheractivities like, renewable energy, commercialrecreation and venison sales, all of which helps us tofinance the sustainable management of the Estate.We market some carefully selected sites as buildingland for built development and are looking at howwe can add more value to these sites.

The Glasgow and Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan, isjust one initiative that recognises the value of highquality greenspace as a tool for urban regeneration.

By co-operating in this and similar programmes weare helping to improve Scotland’s urban areas and tomake Scotland an attractive place to locate and invest.

Forestry Commission Scotland isthe first national forestry serviceto achieve internationalrecognition for its greeninginitiatives and environmentalmanagement systems.

Lloyd’s Register QualityAssurance auditors looked atour programmes to minimiseenergy use and travel emissions,and our efforts to reduce, recycleand re-use waste. They certifiedall of our offices, workshops andwork practices as complyingwith ISO 14001.

We are also proud to have ForestStewardship Council (FSC) UKand PEFC accreditation forsustainable forest management,and also achieving ISO 14001means that environmentalquality of every aspect of theorganisation’s work isinternationally recognised.

We do not charge visitors for access on foot,bicycle or horseback, but we do charge for specialpermissions and for parking at locations withspecial facilities. We also provide businessopportunities for recreational activities and serviceswhich are managed on a commercial basis. Theincome from all of these sources is reinvested insustaining and improving our recreation facilities.

We will seek a diverse range of income sourcesto underpin the cost of managing the Estate, andwe will continually look for ways to achieve bestvalue in delivery of public benefits.

48 49

Scotland’s N

ationa


priorities and action

We are committed to high quality silviculture and increasinglyusing alternatives to clear-felling

We are exploring how to best steward the carbon resourceslocked up in both the Estate’s trees and soils

We will help the Estate to adapt to climate changeand become more resilient to pressure

We are committed to dealing with invasive plants and animalsthat threaten habitats and biodiversity

We aim to increase the contribution of the National Forest Estateto the economy of Scotland and its regions and recognise thepotential of the Estate to assist transition to a low carbon economy

We will identify where alternatives to clearfell can be practised on the Estate, and buildthis into our Land Management Plans

We are increasing investment in stand management practices that will improve thesilvicultural quality of Estate woodlands

We will seek the latest research and advice on management techniques to conservecarbon in soils and biomass

We will implement mitigation strategies for current tree disease threats such as Dothistromaneedle blight of pine, Phytophthora disease of larch and Chalara disease of ash

We will develop and implement a landscape scale spatial planning approach thatpromotes adaptation and mitigation of climate change in accordance with theFCS Climate Change Action Plan

We will publish a deer management strategy

We will implement a programme of work to mitigate slope stability risks on the Estate

We will achieve a 40% reduction in the area of Rhododendron across the Estate

With partners, we will seek new timber transport solutions to bring inaccessible timberto the market, including the building of a bespoke timber pier on Mull

We will implement master-plans for key recreation hubs to increase their contribution tothe local economy

We will look at the sustainable economic potential of the extensive moorlands on the Estate

Specific activitiesKey commitments

Productive

Healthy achieving good environmental and silvicultural condition in a changing climate

providing sustainable economic benefits from the land

Wealthier and fairer

Smarter

Healthier

Safer and stronger

Greener

•

•

•

•

•

We aim to provide at least three million cubic metres of softwoodtimber every year on a sustainable basis

We intend to manage at least a quarter of our expandingbroadleaved woodlands to produce quality hardwoods andfuelwood

We will market [timber] in ways that encourage value adding andadditional jobs in manufacturing and processing, recognising thebenefits of contributing to local economic activity, especially in themore fragile rural areas

We will use our work programmes to promote the development ofthe forestry and land management sectors

We plan to increase agricultural use of the Estate where this isconsistent with environmental objectives

We aim to realise the Estate’s renewable energy potential whilstachieving a reasonable balance with other objectives

We will work with partners to find new ways to harness our naturaland cultural heritage and develop the Estate’s potential for tourism

We will support the Scottish Government's woodlandexpansion policy

We will identify strategies to smooth timber production profiles for the next 50 years

We will identify existing woodland and new planting sites where we will commit tomanagement for future hardwood timber

We will use value adding and additional jobs as criteria in the award of long-term timbercontracts

We will further develop the use of ‘log-shops’ for local sale of specialist timbers tosupport small-scale wood processing

We will establish a basis for monitoring the contribution of the Estate to jobs and theeconomy of Scotland and its regions

We will establish starter farms linked to woodland creation proposals, and identifyopportunities to develop exemplars of forestry and farming integration

We will work with energy businesses to increase renewable energy generation on the Estatein line with the SG 2GW 2020 target, securing leading-edge community benefits

We will seek to increase the availability of woody material suitable for use as a biofuel

We are making significant investments in our visitor centre facilities to increase theircontribution to local economic growth

We will develop a network of high quality wildlife viewing destinations across Scotland

We will work in partnerships like the 7stanes Mountain Biking CiC, and the GallowayDark Skies initiative to promote the tourism potential of the Estate

We will implement an annual woodland creation programme in line with therecommendations of the Woodland Expansion Advisory Group


Productive (continued)


Smarter

Healthier

Safer and stronger

Greener

• •

• •

•

•

•

• •

• •

•

50 51

Scotland’s N

ationa


priorities and action

We want to encourage local people to get involved with using andmanaging local Estate woodlands so we will actively engage withlocal communities and be open to work in partnership

We will continue to use the Estate as a place for volunteering andgaining employment skills

We are committed to creating more uniquely special places acrossthe Estate and to delivering benefits to an increasingly diverserange of Scotland’s people

We recognise the value of the Estate as a place for research anddevelopment of best practice

We will continue to invest available resources into high qualityfacilities that encourage and help visitors experience and enjoythe outdoor environment

There is strong support for our approach to delivering community benefits, recognising that we haveachieved much, for example through appointment of local Community Rangers, the Woods In andAround Towns programme, the National Forest Land Scheme, and Community Led RenewableDevelopments, but also recognising that our capacity is under pressure. Looking ahead, we willcommission an external "health check" of our performance to help us sustain and develop ourdelivery of community benefits

Working with developers we will provide the opportunity for communities to benefit fromor invest in renewable energy developments on the Estate

We will provide opportunities for over 100 employment skills placements,30 apprenticeships and 8 internships per year.

We will define and invest in management of visitor zones to make them attractive and welcoming

We will work with partners in the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs NationalParks to implement the National Park Partnership Plans

We will help deliver the WIAT Central Scotland Engagement Programme, with outreach to adiverse range of protected characteristic groups

We will work with Forest Research and other specialists to demonstrate best practice and providelong-term monitoring sites, for example in relation to ecosystem management, climate changeadaptation and energy forestry

We will work with partners like the Fieldfare Trust and invest in increasing the accessibility of keylocations to a wider cross-section of society through thoughtful design, appropriate on site provisionsuch as toilets and high-quality interpretation

We will review our policies on provision of recreation facilities (laid out in our framework for access,recreation and tourism on the National Forest Estate)

We will renew our visitor-facing web site to improve the quality and relevance of the informationwe provide to help visitors find the best locations for them

Treasured as a multi-purpose resource that sustains livelihoods, improves quality of life, and offers involvement and enjoyment

Accessible local woodlands and national treasures that are well promoted, welcoming and open for all


Smarter

Healthier

Safer and stronger

Greener

•

• • •

• •

• • • • •

• •

We will continue to encourage use of the Estate for health benefitsand outdoor learning

Through our Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT) programme weaim to provide more opportunities for more of Scotland’s peopleto enjoy high-quality countryside and find health, education, skillsand community involvement benefits

We are restoring around 85% of areas on ancient woodland sitesto largely native species. The remaining areas will be enhancedthrough our management

We aim to increase in broadleaved tree cover from thecurrent 8% of woodland cover to around 20%

We are committed to maintaining the best open habitatsin good ecological condition

We will identify particularly vulnerable species for whichthe National Forest Estate is important and take specificconservation action

We will continue to work with education and health initiatives like Forest Education Initiative,Forest School and Branching Out

We will create significant new woodland and out-door access facilities in the Clyde Gatewayarea on previously derelict and vacant land

We will consult on the potential to develop our Kilpatrick Hills acquisitions as an importantnew countryside recreation opportunity on the northern edge of Glasgow

We will work closely with the Central Scotland Green Network initiative to align ourcontribution with the larger vision

We will make suitable parts of the Estate available for education, volunteering,skills training and health-improvement projects and programmes

We will review progress in the enhancement of ancient woodland remnants and restorationof planted ancient woodland sites to native woodland

We will produce internal guidance for the management of semi-natural woodlands toensure that our existing ancient and semi-natural woodlands are well cared for

We will use data from the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland to identify whereexpansion of broadleaved woodland will improve the habitat network and bufferancient woodland fragments

We will keep our the open habitat surveys on track for completion by 2019

We will implement the ‘Strategic Guide for Conservation Management of Open Priority Habitatson the National Forest Estate’

We will strengthen our monitoring and status reporting for key species and habitats


Accessible (continued)

Cared for working with nature and respecting landscapes, natural and cultural heritage


Smarter

Healthier

Safer and stronger

Greener

• •

• • • • •

•

•

•

•

A special thanks to Colin Leslie, Inverness, Ross and Skye FD and Andrew Jarrott, Galloway FD for supplyingsome of the fantastic images used in this publication. All other images sourced through FC Picture Library.

52

We safeguard archaeological sites through our planning andmanagement and recognise special places and features withlocal cultural meaning

We will seek a diverse range of income sources to underpin thecost of managing the Estate, and we will continually look for waysto achieve best value in delivery of public benefits

We will make progressive reductions in the emissions from ourEstate management activities

We will continue to undertake conservation management, condition monitoringand archaeological recording at significant historic assets

We will continue to work with stakeholders to develop, share and promotebest-practice historic environment conservation management

We will increase the amount of income from sources other than timber

We will reduce our carbon emission in administrative travel by 5% over this plan period


Smarter

Healthier

Safer and stronger

Greener

• •

• • • • •

•


Cared for (continued)

Good value exemplary, effective and efficient delivery of public benefits

Documents

The role of Scotland's National Forest Estate and strategic directions