FORESTRY'S QUIET GREEN REVOLUTION

Forestry has "the power to transform our environment," said Scottish Forestry Minister Rhona Brankin as she launched the Scottish Forestry Strategy on Monday October 9th 2006.

The new strategy is the blueprint of how forestry will be developed in the future. It aims to ensure that Scotland's forests, woods and trees are working hard in the battle to fight climate change, as well as improving people's health, supporting the economy and enhancing Scotland's environmental quality.

The strategy has been in preparation for more than a year and included two public consultations, which drew responses from dozens of organisations and people from all over Scotland.

Launching the strategy, Ms Brankin said:

"This strategy sets out exciting opportunities that will benefit people living and working in Scotland over the next decade - as well as looking ahead to the rest of the century.

"Our forests are wonderful resources and have far reaching benefits including helping in the battle against climate change, transforming urban and industrial areas and providing spaces for healthy activities.

"Climate change is happening now and creating great uncertainty. We need to prepare and be flexible in our approach to managing our woodlands so that future generations can reap the benefits of our forests. This strategy will help to prepare our environment for changes and well-managed forests will provide a range of benefits such as tackling the well-being of people and contributing to local economies.

"A key message is that well managed forests - from conifers to our rarest native woodlands - are one of the best insurance policies we have for coping with and adapting to future uncertainties. They can also play a part in helping to reduce the severity of the potential climatic changes by increasing the use of wood fuel for heating, promoting timber as the ultimate sustainable building material, and by locking-up carbon from the atmosphere."

The three main challenges for forestry are:

people: helping to improve the health and well-being of people and communities. Woods are fantastic places to get away from it all and they have a positive effect on mental as well as physical health by reducing stress. They also make wonderful outdoor classrooms, particularly for those who might feel excluded from traditional forms of learning. The strategy aims to increase the recreational opportunities in forests by supporting projects such as the development of mountain bike trails and other world-class facilities. The document also highlights the benefits of taking advantage of woods around communities to regenerate urban and rural areas and attract inward investment;

economic: timber is an environmentally friendly, versatile, renewable and cost-effective material that is now really coming of age. The strategy aims to develop a stable and growing supply of quality timber and to increase the market share of home-grown Scottish wood, particularly in sustainable construction and the developing wood fuel industry. It also seeks to develop other sources of forestry-related income, including its key role in supporting Scotland's huge tourism industry;

and environment: tackling climate change and helping to create a high quality and adaptable environment - everything from our water, soils and air through to the diversity of our plants, animals and historic environment. A continuing priority is to protect, enhance and expand our ancient semi-natural woodland. Forestry has a key role in helping to reverse the historic decline in biodiversity, including some of our popular species including red squirrels and capercaillie and our 'forgotten' nature such as insects, liverworts, mosses and fungi.

Bob McIntosh, Director of Forestry Commission Scotland, added:

"The strategy sets out a vision for forestry in Scotland into the second half of this century, and beyond. Part of this vision uses forestry to help enhance people's quality of life; support many types of rural businesses and provide opportunities for diversification of agricultural businesses; and lastly, building on forestry's ability to contribute to Scotland's climate change programme.

"Forestry Commission Scotland will work closely with all interested organisations to ensure effective delivery of the outcomes set out in the strategy."

For more information on the strategy visit www.forestry.gov.uk/sfs or call 0131 314 6156.