Scouts and Woodland Trust pledge to do their best
Next year ten woods will be planted by the Woodland Trust Scotland and the Scout Association to provide a lasting legacy for the Scout Association’s Centenary year in Scotland.
To mark this new partnership former scout, Gordon Brown MP, planted a ceremonial oak tree at Fordell Firs the home of Scottish scouts. He was joined by over 500 cub scouts who held a special camp to celebrate their 90th anniversary.
During 2007 thousands of scouts will help create these new woodlands as part of the Trust’s Tree for All campaign and to fulfil its aim of engaging children with nature and sparking an interest in the environment.
Making the environment inspiring and fun for people of all ages is the Trust’s ethos, and it’s one that fits well with Lord Baden-Powell’s own ideas. He once remarked that “the open air is the real objective of scouting” and that Scout leaders “must have the capacity to enjoy the outdoors”.
Angela Douglas, Operations Director, Woodland Trust Scotland said: “There can be no better way to mark such a landmark in scouting history. We are honoured that the Scouts have agreed to mark their Centenary year by planting trees. Making the environment inspiring and fun for people of all ages is our ethos and its one that fits well with the Scouting movement. Through the partnership we hope that we can increase awareness and interest in the environment and encourage Scouts to appreciate and enjoy the outdoors”.
Eleanor Lyall MBE Scout Commissioner said: “Caring and learning about the environment, and having the chance to enjoy the great outdoors has been an important part of Scouting since the very first camp back in 1907. Scouting today lets young people get involved in lots of ways, ranging from getting involved in community projects such as tree planting to improve the local environment, to learning about the world around them, to enjoying traditional Scouting activities like camping. Our parnership with the Woodland Trust will build on this and also leave a fitting legacy for the future.”
Notes to editors
1. To date 5 centenary groves across Scotland have been identified: Templars Park (Aberdeenshire); Forbes Estate (Aberdeenshire); Douglaswood Campsite (Dundee); Lapwing Lodge (Paisley); and Geordie’s Wood (Perth and Kinross)
2. Tree for All will see 12 million trees planted throughout the UK over five years, that’s one tree planted for every child under 16. The Trust’s partnership with the scouts will allow 40,000 native trees to be planted across Scotland.
For media enquiries contact: Jacqui Morris on 01355 578777, mobile 07979 706675 or Andrew Fairbairn on 01764 662554, mobile: 07770 482939
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
