WOODLAND PROJECT RECEIVES TOP MARKS
The Woodland Trust Scotland, part of the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity, has reason to celebrate, after scooping the Tim Stead Trophy in Scotland’s Finest Woodland Awards, for its Branching Out - West Lothian (BOWL) Project.
The awards scheme seeks to recognise and reward community led projects that promote the involvement of local people in woods close to towns. It is managed by Scotland's Finest Woods Ltd with support from the Royal Scottish Forestry Society and Forestry Commission Scotland.
The Trust was recognised for its three year project which is helping to further the Trust’s aim to reconnect people with nature and their natural heritage. Branching Out – West Lothian hopes to increase people’s awareness and enjoyment of their local woodlands through an exciting programme of active involvement.
The project has involved a combination of activities, such as performance art within a tree planting event, promoting organised walking opportunities and providing an opportunity for children in and around West Lothian to swap the indoor classroom for an outdoor one through training teachers to utilise their local woods as an outdoor classroom.
The Trust also has another reason to celebrate. At an award ceremony in London the Trust was runner up in Sky’s Environment Action Award. This was in recognition of the Trust’s work to involve Sky employees in the re-planting of Kirkton Wood in West Lothian earlier this year, as part of the company’s Make a Difference programme.
Andrew Fairbairn, Woodland Trust Scotland said: "We are delighted to receive these awards which recognise the work we are doing in West Lothian. We hope over three years we will inspire the next generation of people who will care for their environment and learn about the importance of woodland. We will also engage people from the local community to increase their enjoyment of the woods on their doorstep.”
The project has received funding from Heritage Lottery Fund, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Executive’s Community Environmental Renewal Scheme and West Lothian Council.
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For media enquiries contact: Jacqui Morris on 01355 578777 , mobile 07979 706675 or the Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121, 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
