New fund aims to cut costs of applying to the Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme in order to create new woodland within the Cairngorms National Park
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EFFORTS to create new woodland in the Cairngorms National Park have received a boost after the park authority offered grants aimed at cutting the cost of developing them.
The authority stressed that woodland creation is vital to humanity's future, helping to "combat the climate emergency" while enhancing wildlife habitats and boosting economic development within the region.
And it said that, while the Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme has been critical to the success of woodland creation schemes so far, the costs of preparing an application can be off-putting to some.
It has now announced plans to reduce this potentially burdensome cost.
“With the support of partners – Scottish Forestry, Scottish Natural Heritage and Woodland Trust Scotland – we have set up a new Woodland Challenge Fund with a very straightforward application process," said David Hetherington, Woodland Advisor at the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA).
"The fund will contribute up to £3000 per scheme towards costs incurred in the development of a woodland creation application to the Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme including gathering information, surveys and discussing proposals as part of ‘due diligence’.
"We hope the Woodland Challenge Fund grants will help more landowners, crofters and tenant farmers to expand native woodland in the national park, either through natural regeneration or by planting.”
All applications will be judged according to whether the proposed scheme helps to deliver one or more of the strategic objectives of the Cairngorms National Park Forest Strategy. These include whether it will restore lost or vulnerable forest ecosystems or encourage the natural regeneration of native forests.
Scottish Forestry’s Conservator for the Highlands and Islands, John Risby, added: “Forestry contributes £1 billion to the Scottish economy and three per cent of the workforce living in the national park is employed in forestry. Scotland has this year hit its national woodland creation target but as we all respond to the climate emergency facing us, it is imperative that we all join in the national endeavour of planting more of the right trees in the right places.
“This new fund is a very welcome addition to the incentives that are already available and I wish the CNPA every success and hope that they are inundated with applications!”
Applications may be made at any time until February 29 next year but funding is limited and the CNPA said this meant it was vital for interested parties to contact it as soon as possible on 01479 873535.
More information can be found at the CNPA's website.
