BIODIVERSITY BOOST FOR THE TROSSACHS
Grant Awarded to Milton – The Hidden Glen
Thanks to grants from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Biodiversity Action Grants Scheme (BAGS), the Woodland Trust Scotland part of the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity, is can begin the conservation and enhancement of a wide range of wildlife habitats at its Milton site in the Trossachs. Milton has recently been acquired by the Woodland Trust Scotland to achieve biodiversity conservation at a landscape scale and promote public access and enjoyment of the countryside. Milton is adjacent to the Glen Finglas estate, and the Trust’s plans complement and add value to the work completed at this property.
The Trust plans to involve school children in the creation of one of Scotland’s largest native broadleaved woods as part of its Tree for All campaign. Our aim is to educate a whole new generation of children about woodland by providing opportunities for school groups to grow trees from seeds for planting at Milton and to participate in tree planting events and/or to plant trees in their own school grounds. In all cases, educational materials linked to the Scottish 5-14 curriculum will support the activities which are designed to be memorable, inspirational and enjoyable.
New woodland will be encouraged through natural regeneration and planting, with integral areas of open land retained to encourage a wide range of wildlife. Towards the summit of Ben Ledi, upper valley slopes and ridges will be left unplanted to preserve the amazing open views and habitats required by the black grouse and ptarmigan.
The funding will enable the trust to preserve and enhance the large wet land habitat at Milton - a valuable home for many bird and insect species. In addition it is planned to create a new pathway to the prehistoric Dunmore Fort.
Adam Wallace, Estate Manager said “Milton is an ambitious and exciting project allowing us to demonstrate the many aspects of our work. The project complements the work that we have been doing at Glen Finglas over the last 10 years and is a perfect way to demonstrate the Trust’s key objectives to create new woodland at a landscape scale in the heart of Scotland’s first National Park.
BAGS was launched by the Scottish Executive in 2004 alongside the Scottish biodiversity strategy to support small biodiversity projects that directly implement the strategy and is jointly funded by SNH and the Scottish Executive. Scottish Natural Heritage took over the administration of the scheme this year.
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Notes to editors
For media enquiries contact: Jacqui Morris on 01355 578777, mobile: 07979 706675, e-mail media@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
Milton is 754 hectares of previously grazed sheep and cattle farmland at the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, northwest of Stirling. Comprising of heath, grassland, wetland scattered remnant ancient woodland and Ben Ledi, the site presents spectacular views over nearby Loch Venachar. It shares its western boundary almost entirely with the Woodland Trust’s vast Glen Finglas estate.
The project will contribute to 5 UK Habitat Action Plans (upland oakwood, upland mixed ashwood, wet woodland, upland heathland, purple moor grass and rush pastures) and 3 Stirling Habitat Action Plans (upland oakwood, rivers and burns, upland mosaic habitats). It also likely to benefit, 8 bird species of high conservation concern which are black grouse, bullfinch, reed bunting, ring ouzel, skylark, song thrush, twite and yellow hammer
