Have your say on the future of Livingston Woods
The Woodland Trust Scotland is reviewing and producing new management plans for each of the 13 woods it owns and manages in Livingston. Prior to producing the final plans the Trust would like to hear the opinions of local people. The Trust will host two consultation days; the first will be held on 28th November in Bellsquarry wood from 11.00pm until 2.30pm; with the second between 2.30pm until 7.30pm on the 30th November at the Almondvale Shopping Centre. Don’t miss this opportunity to have your say.
The Trust, part of the UK's leading woodland conservation charity, acquired the Livingston Woods in 1996. Since then the Trust has been working to increase their value to wildlife, ensure continued public access and to safeguard the woodland for the future.
The Trust’s vision for the future is to conserve and enhance the woodland to improve biodiversity, raise awareness of the woods and provide more opportunities for local people to get out and enjoy them for the health and recreational benefits they provide.
For those unable to make either day a reference copy of the full plan is available to view in Carmondean Library, Carmondean Centre, Livingston or the Trust’s office in Auchterarder. However, if you require a full printed version of the plan please contact the Auchterarder office on 01764 662554 - an administrative fee will be charged.
If you have any comments send them to the Trust's local Woodland Officer James Gilmour on 01620 826782 or write to Woodland Trust Scotland, Glenruthven Mill, Abbey Rd, Auchterarder, PH3 1DP. The deadline for comments is 12th January 2007.
Notes to editors
For media enquiries: Jacqui Morris Tel: 01355 578777, mobile: 07979 706675, email: jacquimorris@woodland-trust.org.uk
The Woodland Trust: The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters. The Trust has four key aims: i) No further loss of ancient woodland; ii) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; iii) Increasing new native woodland; iv) Increasing people’s understanding and enjoyment of woodland. Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres).
In 1984, the Trust acquired its first wood in Scotland. Today the Trust owns 80 sites across Scotland covering 8,100 hectares. Further news can be accessed via www.woodland-trust.org.uk
Livingston Woods
The Woodland Trust Scotland owns thirteen urban woods in Livingston covering 167 hectares of urban green space. Individually and collectively the sites are an enormous asset to the town. Where possible we try to involve the local communities in all consultations regarding developments at the woods. The woods are North Wood, Railway Wood, Deans Wood, Knightsridge Wood, Eliburn Wood, Ladywell Wood, East Wood, Cousland Wood, Kirkton Wood, Wilderness, Dedridge Wood, Muiriston Wood and Bellsquarry Wood. For more information on the woods visit www.wt-woods.org.uk
In October 2006, thanks to funding from Heritage Lottery Fund, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Executive and Forward Scotland through the Community Environmental Renewal Scheme and West Lothian Council, the Trust launched a three year project which aims to conserve and enhance over 230 hectares of urban green space in West Lothian.
