Local Man Scoops Prestigious Volunteer Of The Year Award
Jim Christie of Crook of Devon has scooped the Woodland Trust Scotland volunteer of the year award, after undertaking work as voluntary warden for the Trust for the last three years. The award was presented at Geordie's Wood by project manager Philip Gordon who manages the site and who nominated Jim for the award.
Jim Christie is a valuable member of the Trust’s volunteer team as he is not only voluntary warden for Geordie’s Wood but he is also a volunteer photographer and speaker for the Trust.
Philip Gordon, Woodland Trust Project Manager said “Jim Christie has been a huge help to me at the site. He visits the wood regularly and gives me a ring whenever there is a problem. Over the last few months he has provided valuable technical help as we use a new ploughing technique to create a wildflower meadow at the site. He is also an immense help across the Trust in helping out at events and taking photos. Everyone at the Trust regards him as a valuable asset.”
Jim Christie said “I’m really pleased to be given this award, but I want to accept it on behalf of all the volunteers who help with Woodland Trust with their work.”
During 2005 the Woodland Trust’s hardworking volunteers put in an incredible 252,000 hours of work for the Trust. This includes voluntary wardens, voluntary speakers who go out and spread the message about the Trust’s work, photographers, people who do practical conservation work and phenology recorders who record changes in nature’s calendar. If you want to learn more about becoming a volunteer for the Trust visit www.woodland-trust.org.uk/volunteers
end
Notes to editors
Jacqui Morris on 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
Geordie’s Wood: Geordie’s wood is a 235 hectare area of improved grassland, rough hill grazing 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. Thanks to grant through the Biodiversity Action Grant Scheme (BAGS) the Trust hopes to transform 23 hectares of the site into new species rich wildflower habitat.
The Scottish Forest Alliance: The SFA is a novel collaboration between BP, The Forestry Commission, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scotland and the Woodland Trust Scotland, which will undertake sustainable forest management projects in Scotland.
AIMS OF SFA
The collaboration will:
• Regenerate and expand native woodland in Scotland
• Contribute towards UK targets for forest and woodland biodiversity
• Promote social and economic gains for local communities
• Seek to determine the contribution of the projects to carbon sequestration in Scotland
BP has committed £1m per annum for 10 years to “pump-prime” the creation of significant new areas of native woodland in Scotland, which will be managed in a sustainable way. Potential projects are selected by a Steering Group, which analyses each proposal according to strict criteria and benefit for the local people.
The UK is currently one of the least wooded countries in Europe and deforestation has left Scotland with only a tiny proportion (1%) of land with native woods of ancient origin. The SFA believe that a new impetus is required to address this great loss to the landscape and the biodiversity it supports. It is also a tragic waste of what could be a very real asset for both rural and urban Scotland.
The initiative is seen as making a major impact on UK targets for forest and woodland biodiversity. It will also contribute to the strategic directions outlined in the new Scottish Forestry Strategy.
BP funding is for use by the other Alliance members – Forestry Commission, RSPB Scotland and the Woodland Trust Scotland – on sites owned and managed by these organisations.
Further information on the Scottish Forest Alliance can be found at: www.scottishforestalliance.org.uk
