BREAKING NEW GROUND
Woodland Trust Scotland leading the way in new project at Geordie’s Wood
Thanks to a grant through the Biodiversity Action Grant Scheme (BAGS), jointly funded by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Scottish Executive, the Woodland Trust Scotland, part of the UK's leading woodland conservation charity, is showing the way as it creates a wildflower habitat at Geordie's Wood.
Over the next couple of years, 23 hectares of new species rich wildflower habitat on grassland at Geordie’s Wood will be created. The Trust hopes that by using a new ploughing technique developed by Landlife1, it will result in improved diversity and attractiveness of woodland ground cover. Known as soil inversion, the technique involves turning weed-free and lower fertility subsoil over the weedy topsoil, which encourages stunning wild flowers to flourish while unattractive and noxious weeds will struggle to grow. The technique will not only result in a beautiful display of wildflowers but will have wider environmental benefits.
The Trust will work with the local community of Muckhart to promote and explain the importance of habitat creation and encourage visitors to participate in the seed sowing, as well as other activities designed to raise awareness of biodiversity issues.
Philip Gordon site manager said: “Thanks to BAGS, the Trust is able to lead the way in Scotland to using new approaches to woodland creation. This is the first time Landlife has worked in partnership with an organisation in Scotland, to use the specialised techniques which it has developed to create species rich wildflower habitat. We hope that our project will encourage others to do similar projects and we will be happy to offer advice and information to anyone who is interested in doing so.”
The BAGS scheme was launched by the Scottish Executive in 2004 alongside the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to support small biodiversity projects that directly implement the strategy. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) took over the administration of the scheme this year.
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Notes to editors
1. Landlife: is a registered environment charity working mainly in urban and urban fringe areas, to bring nature and people closer together. By using simple wildflower mixes, based on common copse species, we aim to create wildlife areas which have sustainable links to their communities. Their objectives are
a. Develop and support creative conservation sites
b. Bring people and wildlife closer together
c. Promote better understanding of wildflowers and wildlife
For media enquiries contact: Jacqui Morris on 01355 578777, mobile 07979 706675, email Jacqui Morris on 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 8100 hectares. Further news can be accessed via www.woodland-trust.org.uk
Geordie’s Wood: Geordie’s wood is a 235 hectare area of improved grassland, rough hill grazings and exotic conifer woodland. It was purchased by the Woodland Trust in 2004, with the Scottish Forest Alliance (SFA) and the active support of the local community, for the purpose of working with them to create a mosaic of new native woodland and open ground habitats to promote public access. It is located near Muckhart, by Dollar, 15 miles southwest of Perth on the southern edge of the Ochil Hills.
