Grants aimed at spurring forest growth

Grants are being offered by the national park authority to encourage the creation of woodland areas in the Cairngorms.

Applications to the new Woodland Challenge Fund will be judged on their benefit to the Cairngorms National Park, which is looking to restore lost or vulnerable forest ecosystems and encourage natural regeneration of native forests.

David Hetherington, woodland adviser at the authority, said: “With the support of partners Scottish Forestry, Scottish Natural Heritage and Woodland Trust Scotland, we have set up a new Woodland Challenge Fund with a very straightforward application process.

“The fund will

“I hope they are inundated with applications”

contribute up to £3,000 per scheme towards costs incurred in the development of a woodland creation application, including gathering information, surveys and discussing proposals as part of ‘due diligence’.

“We hope the fund’s grants will help more landowners, crofters and tenant farmers to expand native woodland in the national park, either through natural regeneration or by planting.”

Applications are open until Saturday February 29, though funding is limited, with the authority encouraging as many early applications as possible.

Scottish Forestry’s conservator for the Highlands and Islands, John Risby, added: “This new fund is a very welcome addition to the incentives that are already available and I hope they are inundated with applications.”

More information is at cairngorms.co.uk