The Woodland Trust Scotland, part of the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity, recently hosted Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham MSP at Glen Quey, in Glendevon.
After a previous visit in 2003, Ms Cunningham was keen to return to assess how the new native woodland had developed.
Glen Quey is one of three sites owned by the Woodland Trust Scotland in Glendevon. Along with Glen Sherup and Geordie’s Wood they total 1200 ha (3000 acres) of new native woodland. Since acquiring Glen Quey in 2001 the Trust has been in the process of a phased woodland creation, with the last of 1.5 million trees being planted in 2008.
The woodland creation project has involved more than improving biodiversity. The Trust has involved hundreds of local school children in planting the trees, learning about the environment and having fun.
A new access track called the “Reservoirs Trails” was formally opened in 2008, the 14km way marked path leads through the Trust’s new native woodland in Glen Devon and past the four water reservoirs.
Andrew Fairbairn, Policy and Communications Manager with the Woodland Trust Scotland said: “It is amazing to see how quickly the woodland is establishing. We are very encouraged by the Minister’s enthusiasm for new native woodland and all the benefits it brings to wildlife and people. We hope that the rate of new woodland creation can be significantly increased over the coming years across Scotland.”
All three Glen Devon sites have all benefitted from the Scottish Forest Alliance, a collaboration between BP, the Forestry Commission, RSPB Scotland and the Woodland Trust Scotland to create significant new areas of native woodland.
Notes to editors
For media enquiries contact:
Jacqui Morris on 01355 578777 or mobile 07979 706675 alternatively call The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121, e-mail
media@woodlandtrust.org.ukThe Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters.
The Trust has three key aims: i) to enable the creation of more native woods and places rich in trees ii) to protect native woods, trees and their wildlife for the future iii) to inspire everyone to enjoy and value woods and trees
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free.
In 1984, the Trust acquired its first wood in Scotland. In the last 25 years the Trust has increased its holdings in Scotland it now owns 80 sites across Scotland covering 8,500 hectares. Further news can be accessed via this website.