Major Forestry Commission grant for Argyll’s forest amenity development

Argyll has taken a lion’s share in grants of over £642,000 which has been awarded to 15 projects across Scotland to help spruce up local woodlands for people to enjoy.

The funding will support a number of different initiatives including building or upgrading networks of woodland paths, installing new benches for rest and viewing, introducing school children to the learning opportunities in woodlands and preparing woodland management plans.

The successful projects are spread around the country from Stornoway, Argyll, Dundee and Perthshire, through to the Central Belt.

Announcing the grants, Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said: ‘Scotland’s forests and woodlands have an important part to play in increasing the quality of life for many people.

‘Over 50 per cent of the Scottish population live within two miles of a woodland so there is a great natural resource on our doorstep to be used.

‘Woodlands can be a focus for community involvement and with better access can boost healthier lifestyles for local people.’

The grants are from Forestry Commission Scotland’s Woods In and Around Towns initiative and from Forest for People challenge funds.

These funds are  designed to help woodland owners revitalise existing woodlands for the benefit of local people and support community-based health and education activities.

Chief amongst the projects receiving grants are one in Argyll and one in West Dunbartonshire, respectively receiving the second  highest and highest grants announced.

• North and West Argyll Forest Education Initiative is to receive £105,588. This will see a development worker employed to deliver no fewer than 18 Forest School and outdoor learning projects in the area, using local woodlands as a learning environment for school children and liaising with local schools.
• West Dunbartonshire Council will receive £158, 819 to develop six woodland sites with various recreation facilities. Dangerous trees will be felled and knotweed and rhododendrons will be cleared from the area.