Forestry and Woodland

FW 1 - Woodland Expansion

Objective:

Work to delivery Scottish Government policy for woodland expansion whilst also contributing towards the objectives of integrated catchment management.

Significant achievements against objective (2017 - 2022):

  • SAC have worked with farmers across the catchment to identify and realise woodland creation opportunities.
  • Undertaken by SF through woodland management approvals and grant support for Sustainable Management of Forests (SMF) and woodland creation.
  • Supported by CNPA Forest Strategy 2018.
  • Increasing engagement from landowner/manager sector with woodland expansion targets and grants, general shift in management objectives towards more woodland for habitat creation and restoration, including riparian woodland.
  • 18,500 trees planted in riparian zones through SCI projects.
FW 2 - Woodland Habitats and Biodiversity

Objective:

Improve habitat and biodiversity through tree species choices and improve woodland networks as part of landscape scale habitat restoration

Significant achievements against objective (2017 - 2022):

  • SCI riparian woodland projects will create woodland habitat corridors, enhancing ecological connectivity, eg Kinchurdy 4.5km, Calder 2.6km, Truim 3.5km.
  • Under TGLP, 16 ha new catchment woodland at Tom Garlet, 1000+ trees planted.
  • Diverse spp range planted in some riparian schemes including dog rose, hawthorn, aspen, for enrichment planting.
  • CNPA working on mapping aspen.
  • Innovative technique for tree protection ('hedgehog staking') trialled at Truim.
FW 3 - Woodlands and Flow Management

Objective:

Facilitate opportunities for establishing or enhancing riparian, flood plain and wider catchment woodland to reduce runoff rates, sediment input and aid bank stabilisation.

Significant achievements against objective (2017 - 2022):

  • Riparian planting (SCI, TGLP, land owners) across the catchment will have benefits for slowing runoff rates, reducing sediment and stabilising banks.
  • Further landscape-scale woodland expansion projects under development with flow management objectives, eg Conglass, upper River Avon and Livet (SCI).
  • Willow spiling used at Aviemore Spey access point to stabilise severe erosion, SCI project 2019
FW 4 - Forestry Management

Objective:

Encourage and promote good environmental practice for woodland management in order to protect and enhance water quality and biodiversity.

Significant achievements against objective (2017 - 2022):

  • Influenced via CNPA/SFB/SCI input into forestry consultations.
  • On-going control by SF, eg Pollution Prevention Plans required where needed.
  • SCI/FLS/Cairngorms Connect project to improve four culverts for fish passability in Glenmore forest delivered 2021/22.