AITKEN ARBORETUM IS JEWEL IN THE CROWN (30/09/08)

Aitken Arboretum is an excellent example of a "green haven close to the city centre", according to Environment Minister Michael Russell, who visited Perth on Friday 26 September to officially open the Arboretum and celebrate a major milestone for the region's woodlands.

Scottish Renewables Bioenergy Conference in Inverness (25/09/08)

Green energy trade body, Scottish Renewables, will hold its fourth annual bioenergy conference at the Thistle Hotel in Inverness on Thursday, October 2.
The conference will look at the expected growth of the bioenergy sector in Scotland and focus on specific topics of particulate emissions, land-use change, and waste.
The conference is aimed at biomass growers, bioenergy project developers, local government officials, and policy makers. Confirmed speakers include National Farmers' Union Scotland president Jim McLaren as well as key players from Scottish Government and industry.
The cost for the event is £50+VAT.
To find out more or register contact calum@scottishrenewables.com

FORESTRY MINISTER BREAKS LOGJAM (17/09/08)

At a recent meeting with ConFor, Scottish forestry minister, Michael Russell, MSP agreed specific actions to break the current logjam slowing the approval of forestry grant applications. It is expected that now significantly more applications will be processed and approved in the coming months.

FORESTRY COMMISSION SCOTLAND WELCOMES LAND USE REVIEW (01/09/08)

The announcement today that the Scottish Government is to carry out a fundamental review of its rural land resource has been welcomed by Forestry Commission Scotland, the country's largest land manager.

FORESTRY MINISTER ACTS TO ADDRESS INDUSTRY CONCERNS (23/08/08)

Scottish forestry Minister, Michael Russell, MSP confirmed that he will demand immediate action to address delays in implementing the forestry elements of the new Scottish Rural Development Programme, when he met ConFor's chief executive, Stuart Goodall, and national manager for Scotland, Jamie Farquhar, in Fort William, recently.

ACTION FOR NATURE IN SCOTLAND'S WOODLANDS (23/08/08)

Forestry Commission Scotland’s new biodiversity programme - Woods for Nature – sets out how the Commission is helping to conserve and expand woodland habitats and species in public and private woodlands.

WOODLAND GRANTS HELP AT TURRIFF SHOW (07/08/08)

Help for land managers, businesses and communities who wish to access woodland grants was available at the Turriff Show last weekend (Sunday 3 and Monday 4 August).

GRAMPIAN REGIONAL FORESTRY FORUM SIGNS UP TO TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE (23/06/08)

Members of the Grampian Region Forestry Forum were given an informed insight into how best to tackle the impact of climate change at a recent meeting in Huntly.

SHETLAND'S FARMERS & CROFTERS ARE URGED TO ATTEND SAFETY EVENT (16/06/08)

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) urges Shetland's crofters and farmers to attend a Safety Awareness Day in Lerwick on Wednesday 2 July.

HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS FOREST INDUSTRY CLUSTER MEETING (09/06/08)

Date: Thursday 26th June 2008
Venue: Lochaber Rural Complex, Torlundy, Fort William
The evening will cover a range of different areas and build on some of the issues highlighted at the previous meetings. There should be something of interest for all sectors of the industry.

VIEWS WANTED ON LOCAL FORESTRY (26/05/08)

Forestry Commission Scotland is keen to share its plans for the future direction of forestry around Dumfriesshire and would welcome feedback from local people and businesses.

ACTIONS TO BOOST RENEWABLE ENERGY FORMS IN SCOTLAND (20/05/08)

A number of key actions to boost the use of biomass for renewable energy in Scotland have been announced by Environment Minister, Michael Russell, as he visited the Boiler House site, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, to view a new biomass boiler funded by the Scottish Biomass Support Scheme.

£24M FOR URBAN WOODLAND MAKEOVER (20/05/08)

Woods near to towns and cities are set to get a new lease of life, thanks to a further £24m cash injection from the Scottish Government.

SCOTLAND'S FORESTS TO OPEN UP FOR WOODLAND CROFTS (20/05/08)

Woodland crofts are set to become a feature of Scotland's landscape as communities across the country take advantage of new guidance published by Forestry Commission Scotland.

ACTION TO IMPROVE SCOTLAND'S PROTECTED WOODLAND SITES (16/04/08)

Forestry Commission Scotland has published (April 2008) a multi-agency plan to improve the ecological condition of woodland sites that lie on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) or Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).

'YOUR LOCHABER - YOUR FUTURE'
Skills, Development and Opportunities in the Lochaber Land Based Sector (28/02/2008)

Lochaber Rural Education Centre Lantra and HIE Lochaber would like to invite you to join them on 4th March 2008 for an evening seminar to update you on current training developments within the Landbased sector, and give you an opportunity to discuss and explore how these might provide opportunities for Lochaber.

CLEARING THE WAY FOR WOMEN IN FORESTRY & CONSTRUCTION (26/10/07)

You are invited to an event that's happening in your area, of relevance to everyone interested in attracting women into forestry and construction. It is being organised by the Scottish Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology and will present the findings of the FIRRS - Forest Industries Recruitment and Retention Strategy - project.

WOODFUEL QUALITY & STANDARDS SEMINARS (24/10/07)

Northern WoodHeat project’s training development programme is running two half-day seminars on Woodfuel Quality and Standards. The seminars are partly funded by the Scottish Biomass Support Scheme and one will be on the 2nd November at Findhorn, and the other the 9th November in Oban. There is no charge for attendance, but places are limited to 10 delegates on each, so to book a place, please contact Dominick Murray at Highland Birchwoods on 01463 811 655 or by email Dominick.murray@highlandbirchwoods.co.uk.

Please book by Monday 29th October for the Findhorn Seminar and Monday 5th November for the Oban seminar.

EDINBURGH TREEFEST COMES TO TOWN (20/04/2007)

Edinburgh Treefest & Wood Market 2007, Sat 9th & Sun 10th June, Inverleith Park, Arboretum Place, Edinburgh, 11am – 5pm, FREE ENTRY.

FORESTRY PLAN SETS THE AGENDA (28/03/2007)

A new action plan published today aims to ensure Scotland's forests, woods and trees work hard in the battle to fight climate change, as well as boosting the economy, improving people's health and enhancing the environment.

£3.7M CASH BOOST FOR TIMBER TRANSPORT PROJECTS (28/03/2007)

Seven projects aiming to reduce the impact of timber transport on Scotland's rural roads have been given the green light for a cash injection of over £3.7m through the Strategic Timber Transport Fund (STTF).

CONSULTATION REPORT PUBLISHED REGARDING TRANSFER OF CAIRNGORM ESTATE (13/02/2007)

A consultation report regarding the proposed transfer of the Cairngorm Estate has been published by Forestry Commission Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

CONFOR INCREASES ITS ROLE IN SCOTLAND (08/02/2007)

An important milestone for Scotland's forest industries was reached at the sector's fourth Scottish Forest Industries Cluster conference.

FIRST WOODFUEL PELLETS MADE IN SCOTLAND (06/02/2007)

The first successful production of woodfuel pellets from Scottish raw materials is a step in the right direction for Scotland's future in renewable energy.

WOODCHIP BOILER FIRST FOR PERTH (19/12/2006)

A farmer encouraging farm diversification has become the first person in Perthshire to invest in renewable heating, thanks in part to a cash boost from Forestry Commission Scotland as part of its Developing Farm Woodland Energy pilot grant scheme

NEW NON-EXECUTIVE MEMBER APPOINTED TO FORESTRY COMMISSION SCOTLAND'S NATIONAL COMMITTEE (07/12/2006)

Forestry Commission Scotland has announced the appointment of Simon Rennie as a new non-executive member to its National Committee for Scotland.

GREEN LIGHT FOR TIMBER TRANSPORT PROJECTS (30/11/06)

ADDING VALUE TO FARM WOODLANDS IN BREADALBANE (30/11/06)

Three farmers encouraging farm diversification have become the first to receive a cash boost from Forestry Commission Scotland as part of its Adding Value to Farm Woodlands pilot grant scheme.

CLEAN GREEN HEAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESSES (27/11/2006)

Forestry Commission Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council in partnership with the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA) are hosting a one day seminar to explore the business opportunities from renewable heating from wood.

SCOTLAND'S NATIVE WOODLANDS TO BE REVEALED (13/11/2006)

A pioneering five-year survey will reveal for the first time the full extent of Scotland's native woodlands.

GROWING BROADLEAVES FOR QUALITY TIMBER (13/11/2006)

A new report highlights 12 sites across the middle of Scotland demonstrating best practice in growing quality broadleaved timber which will help to develop the growth of broadleaved crops for quality timber.

NEW GUIDANCE TO HELP PLANT NATIVE TREES (30/10/2006)

Scottish Forestry Minister, Rhona Brankin, announces new advice for woodland owners and foresters which will help them choose the right species and seed sources for planting.

WEBSITE PROMOTES ARGYLL WOODWORKERS (19/10/06)

CONFOR WELCOMES REVISED SCOTTISH FORESTRY STRATEGY (11/10/06)

The Confederation of Forest Industries (ConFor) welcomed the Minister's presentation of the revised Scottish Forestry Strategy, in the development of which it has played an active role.

FORESTRY'S QUIET GREEN REVOLUTION (11/10/06)

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.

COMMUNITY WOODLAND PARTNERSHIPS WORKING WELL (11/10/06)

Community woodland partnerships are working well across Scotland, according to a new study published today.

CONFOR MOBILISES SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN FOR ADDITONAL FUNDING (28/08/06)

The Scottish Executive has agreed to invest an additional £6 million into the Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme in this financial year.

GLASGOW GENERAL PRACTITIONERS BACK WOODLAND WALKS (23/08/06)

Glasgow GPs are encouraging woodland walks as part of a new health promotion scheme which encourages adults to become more active.

LIFE BEGINS AT 50! (22/08/06)

A new project, 'Experience Counts', is helping mature workers from the Forestry industry to develop and improve their skills… for free!

Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for the environmental and land-based sector, are piloting the project for the Forestry industry and are looking to recruit learners from across Scotland.For further details: Lantra50

EXCITING DEVELOPMENT IN TEMPLETON WOODS (22/08/06)

PLANS FOR THE CAIRNGORMS GO TO CONSULTATION (21/08/06)

POSITIVE FUTURE FOR WOOD FUEL (15/08/06)

£2 MILLION FOR URBAN WOODLANDS (10/08/06)

FOREST LAND BRINGS COMMUNITY TOGETHER (31/07/06)

HAPPY CAMPING FOR SCOTS (27/07/06)

GROUND-BREAKING AGREEMENT BENEFITS DALKEITH COMMUNITIES (24/07/06)

LANTRA PROJECT FOR THE OVER 50s (14/07/06)

‘Experience Counts’ is a new project aimed at improving the employability skills of those aged over 50. Lantra is seeking to recruit participants from the Aquaculture, Horticulture and Trees and Timber industries. Training is available in a variety of forms and is tailored to suit individual needs.
For futher information please visit http://www.lantra.co.uk/Scotland/Experiencecounts.asp, telephone 01738 553311 or e-mail: lantra.scotland@lantra.co.uk.

SCOTTISH TREES & TIMBER MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS (27/06/06)

RHONA BRANKIN LAUNCHES LANTRA'S PROMOTING WORKPLACE LEARNING DVD (27/06/06)

NEW HELP FOR FARM WOODLANDS (27/06/06)

CASH BOOST FOR TIMBER TRANSPORT PROJECTS (01/06/06)

NEW FACE FOR FORESTRY IN ABERDEENSHIRE (23/05/06)

NEW TEAM IMPROVES LINKS BETWEEN SCIENTIST AND FORESTER (11/05/06)

EDINBURGH AND AE VENUES FOR EUROPEAN FORESTRY CONFERENCE (11/05/06)

CROFTING REFORM BILL PROPOSALS (11/05/06)

OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON FUTURE OF SCOTTISH FORESTRY GRANT SCHEME

CLOSING DATE FOR SCOTTISH FORESTRY GRANTS SCHEME BROUGHT FORWARD (12/4/2006)

Forestry Commission Scotland is bringing forward the closing date of the Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme (SFGS) from August, to take immediate effect for most grants.

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/news1/69B9BFFE52B7E1CD802571490039847F

FORESTRY MINISTER ANNOUNCES £12 MILLION TO SUPPORT CLIMATE CHANGE PROGRAMME (12/4/2006)

Scottish Forestry Minister, Rhona Brankin, today (12 April 2006), announced that £12 million will be allocated to support delivery of forestry related targets identified in the Scottish Climate Change Programme unveiled last month.

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/news1/9A3D7C3FC7EABEF58025714C004E901

FURTHER APPOINTMENTS TO BOARD OF FORESTRY COMMISSIONERS (7/4/2006)

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/news1/7C6332A93C1FEEC480257149004AD1A

NEW FORESTRY COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED

Timber Transport Forum - Agreed Route Maps for Scotland available at www.timbermap.org