Published on:
17
January 2007
Woodlands in Clackmannanshire are getting a £88,433 funding boost from Forestry Commission Scotland as part of a drive to breathe new life into neglected woods close to populated areas and enhance the quality of life for those living nearby.
The cash boost is set to help five urban forestry projects in the area. The woods, located near Alva, Tillicoutry, Alloa and Sauchie will be revitalised through a variety of methods including: improving access, upgrading and creating new footpaths, removing litter, improving signage, clearing of invasive vegetation, new planting, and increasing recreational opportunities within the woods.
The funding comes from the 'Woods In and Around Towns' (WIAT) initiative which is designed to improve woodland environments, and increase access and recreational opportunities for people living in built up areas. WIAT funding is administered by Forestry Commission Scotland.
Councillor George Matchett, Sustainability Spokesperson for Clackmannanshire Council, said
"This is great opportunity to work in partnership with Forestry Commission Scotland in achieving improvements to some of our most accessible woodlands in Clackmannanshire. The local communities will certainly benefit from improved access, biodiversity and education within these woodlands. It is hoped that this will open up further opportunities for improvements and that the surrounding local communities will use the woodlands more."
Quarrel Dean Wood, Woodlea Park, Cowpark Wood, Ochil Hills Woodland and Gartmorn Headwall are receiving grants.
These woods are owned by Clackmannanshire Council and are situated near the towns of Alva, Tillicoutry, Alloa and Sauchie. These mixed woodland areas extend to 37.71 hectares. All five woodland areas will have improvement work carried out which relates to woodland management plans produced as a result of previous WIAT funding. Plans include upgrading existing footpaths, constructing new paths, litter collection, safety inspections, improving access and recreational opportunities, and thinning and clearance of invasive vegetation. The grant awarded for each specific woodland area are as follows:
Announcing the woodland cash boost, Scottish Forestry Minister, Sarah Boyack said: "There is growing awareness that woods in highly populated areas provide more than just recreation opportunities - they contribute to people's well-being, stimulate new economic activity and investment, generate education opportunities, help benefit the environment, and unite communities.
"This funding will provide the catalyst for many organisations to breathe new life into neglected woods throughout the country and encourage people to get out and about to enjoy the woods on their doorstep. A walk, run, ride or cycle in a local wood is often the perfect way to relax and escape the hectic rush of everyday life and can also make a significant contribution to people's health.
"By revitalising urban woodlands, improving access and increasing recreational opportunities within them, previously 'unwelcoming' woodlands can become a central part of daily community life."
There have been five WIAT funding rounds to date with a total in excess of £9.2 million being committed to over a hundred projects, involving over 8,000 hectares of urban woodland across Scotland - an area the size of Edinburgh.