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Celebrating Scotland’s Finest Woods
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Celebrating Scotland’s Finest Woods
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Celebrating Scotland’s Finest Woods
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Celebrating Scotland’s Finest Woods
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Celebrating Scotland’s Finest Woods
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Celebrating Scotland’s Finest Woods
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Celebrating Scotland’s Finest Woods
Latest news ...
Here’s your chance to join the dynamic team at Scotland’s Finest Woods – promoting the best of woodland and forestry across the country, from school nursery and community woods to agroforestry and quality timber production.
Scotland’s Finest Woods is seeking up to four new Charity Trustees to bolster the Charity’s governance, due to retirals. The charity runs the prestigious Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards each year to celebrate and recognise trees, woodlands and the people caring for them across Scotland, from young children to farmers, communities to professional foresters.
The charity is particularly welcoming applications from younger people (16 years and over) and those with some knowledge of agriculture including farm woodlands, timber marketing, digital communications, fundraising, or a combination of these. While desirable, a knowledge of woods and forestry is not required.
Jean Nairn, Executive Director of Scotland’s Finest Woods, said: “We are a small charity with a big impact. This year’s awards ceremony at the Scottish Parliament during National Tree Week in November promises a fantastic showcase of all that is great in the world of trees, from the little acorns at nursery school to the major timber producers Scotland has.
“Our new trustees will form part of the bedrock of our organisation, helping to make our promotion of woodland and forestry even more powerful. Applications close on 18th August and we look forward to welcoming successful candidates when they join us.”
About Scotland’s Finest Woods
Scotland’s Finest Woods is a company limited by guarantee registered in Scotland (SC294388) and a Scottish Charity (SC039099). The Trustees generally meet once a year in Edinburgh, attend the annual Awards ceremony and otherwise fulfil their responsibilities digitally when required – with an average total of 2 – 4 days per year. Trustees are expected to serve a minimum term of three years, and subject to mutual agreement with the other Trustees. The position of Charity Trustee is voluntary though essential expenses can be reimbursed.
If new to charity governance, this will not be any barrier to becoming a Trustee, though it will be expected that anyone familiarises themselves with the Charity Trustee Responsibilities and Guidance, outlined by the Office of Scotland Charity Regulator (OSCR guidance) and the SCVO Trustee Network.
The awards
The annual Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards covers a diverse range of land use and has 11 trophies on offer in six categories – New Native Woods, Farm Woodland, Quality Timber, Community Woodlands, Climate Change Champion, and Schools and Early Years.
Because of this breadth of awards, anyone with a high-quality project can enter, whether that be a forestry business – small or large – an expert forester, farmer or crofter, or a community woodland group.
How to apply to be a trustee
About the Role: Charity Trustee – SFW Role 2024.
Email a cover letter stating why you would like to become a Trustee of Scotland’s Finest Woods (SFW), outlining what skills and experience you consider you can bring to the role and SFW’s effective operations in the future. You should also attach a CV.
Send applications by email to: admin@sfwa.co.uk and before the closing date of midnight on Sunday 18 August 2024.
Further information about Scotland’s Finest Woods go to www.sfwa.co.uk
ENDS
A youngsters’ nursery on a croft and a huge tree project at a secondary school have taken the Schools and Early Years categories at the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2024.
For the Early Years Award 2024, the winners of the Alba Trees Early Years’ Trophy was NewCroft Childcare and Forest School near Keith, Moray.
Lynne Cameron set up a forest school on her croft where she childminds pre-schoolers and provides after-school care for older children.
The judges said they were impressed with what Lynne had managed to achieve on her own and the “extent of the learning opportunities for the children”. They added: “Lynne was so inspiring. Most impressively, Lynne runs sessions for other childminders as an opportunity to network and share good practice.”
The runner up for the Early Years category was Johnston Nursery in Kirkcudbright, previous winners in 2022 who were this year praised for expanding their site to allow for poly tunnels, shelter areas, wildflowers, “secret dens” and fires.
For the Schools Award 2024, the winners of the Crown Estate Scotland Schools’ Trophy was Selkirk High School in the Borders.
The judges praised the work of two teachers, Maddy Pope and Anna Johnson, highlighting a “superb enthusiastic duo of staff who know how to nurture teenagers, plants and animals and want to help their young people to do their best”.
The scope of the project was exceptional with one outcome being a mass tree planting at a local park. The judges added: “They have created a calm oasis where pupils and teachers alike can grow whilst learning outdoors.”
The runner up in the Schools category was Leader Enhanced Provision @ Duns, which is based at Duns Primary School.
As well as the trophies, there was £500 for each of the winning school and early years entries, and the winners received a magnifying post provided by Caledonia Play. A special Tree Pack for winners and runners up was also donated by Alba Trees containing trees for planting or tree growing kits. Each winning school and early years entry also received a certificate and a special commemorative wooden display plaque recording their achievement.
Another nine trophies, across five more categories – New Native Woods, Farm Woodland, Quality Timber, Community Woodlands and Climate Change Champion – will be awarded during National Tree Week in November. The Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards ceremony will be held in a new home, the Scottish Parliament.
In order for judging and the presentation of awards within the current school year, the Schools and Early Years Awards announcements were made this week.
Jean Nairn, Executive Director of Scotland’s Finest Woods, said: “It was heartening to see the range of entries for schools and early years categories.
“Teaching and nurturing children to have a love of trees, woodland and forestry is crucial if the next generation are going to take on the fight against climate change. The work we have seen by our winners is helping little roots at nurseries and schools grow into strong branches for the future.
“We now look forward to November and a new home for the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards at the Scottish Parliament. We are very excited to be celebrating climate, community, forestry and farming during National Tree Week.”
The winners of the Schools and Early Years categories have also been invited to the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards ceremony in November.
The Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards ceremony will be moved to November to give the chance to celebrate National Tree Week at the same time, the charity’s Trustees have announced.
The decision was made after the Scottish Parliament was secured as a venue to showcase the best of woods and forests across Scotland. It also means the deadline for entries can be extended to the end of May – allowing even more of the best practice from farms to forestry to communities, and of course the battle against climate change, to be championed.
Jean Nairn, Executive Director of Scotland’s Finest Woods, said: “Finding a new home for the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards is a great opportunity for us. Climate, community, forestry and farming are at the heart of what we do and we are excited to take the celebrations to the Scottish Parliament.
“And, what could be a better time for all this than National Tree Week when the focus will be on the woodlands and forests of the country?”
The awards ceremony will be on November 27 with the new deadline of May 31 for entries.
However, in order for judging to fit into the school year, the Schools and Early Years Awards deadline remained at March 31 and has now passed.
There are 11 trophies on offer in six categories at the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2024 – New Native Woods, Farm Woodland, Quality Timber, Community Woodlands, Climate Change Champion, and Schools and Early Years.
Because of this breadth of awards, anyone with a high-quality project can still enter, whether that be a forestry business – small or large – an expert forester, farmer or crofter, or a community woodland group.
Guy Watt, Chair of Scotland’s Finest Woods, the charity which operates the programme, said: “This year was already looking set to be a great success and because we have secured the Scottish Parliament during National Tree Week it only promises to be even better.
“Celebrating and championing the environment as well as the community and commercial work which contributes to a wonderful diversity of woodlands in our country is really important and it is great we continue to do this.
“The work of the judges, sponsors and supporters and of course the entrants, means we can enjoy this fantastic celebration of trees, woodland and forestry in all its forms, so huge thanks go to all of them.”
For full details, criteria and entry forms see: www.sfwa.co.uk
Alba trees is the UK’s largest cell grown nursery producing 30 million trees per year across three sites in the beautiful East Lothian countryside. As an industry leader they recognise the importance of cultivating the next generation of foresters to ensure our forests and woodlands are cared for in the future and ultimately safeguarding our planet against climate change.
With the future of forestry being at the heart of Alba’s priorities they have chosen to sponsor the Early Years Award – one of 11 competitions – at the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2024.
Sowing new foresters with strong roots
Margaret Allan is the Sales Manager at Alba Trees and understands first-hand the importance of instilling a passion for forestry in young people as early as possible in order to cultivate the next generation of foresters for the industry.
She stated: “We are delighted to deepen our involvement with the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards, specifically the Early Years Award.
“It is vital that as an industry we educate young people about what we do, but also create some enthusiasm within them to work in the woodland or forestry environment when they grow up – this will make the sector stronger and also help the environment
“Good woodland and forest management helps reduce the carbon impact on the planet as well as contributing to a vibrant sector – and it all starts with saplings in the ground, or on two little legs at their own nursery.”
Entry to Scotland’s Finest Woods Award open now for all
Last year’s winner of the Early Years Award was Bushcraft Bairns at Comrie Croft, Perthshire, who created a Forest School setting that nurtures connection with nature through play.
The criteria for entries means there is an opportunity for all – the award can be for practical or desk projects involving forestry, woodlands or trees.
This could include a programme of learning in a woodland or forest environment or in a forest industry setting, a classroom-based study of woods and forests or the forest industry, or practical tree planting or woodland improvement projects in school grounds or in the local community.
The entry can also be for an ongoing forestry or tree related project, or one that is already completed. This year, Scottish Forestry – Outdoor Woodland Learning Scotland has created some case studies which may help to inspire you in your own entry. You can download them here.
Jean Nairn, Executive Director of Scotland’s Finest Woods, said: “Alba Trees have supported the Awards programme for many years and we are delighted to have them on board as a full sponsor this year. They do a tremendous amount of work to make sure the stock of saplings available to foresters is healthy and strong. It also shows the importance of linking the young people with the forestry sector – promoting a career for the foresters of the future.”
Discover more
To find out more about Alba Trees go to www.albatrees.co.uk
There are 11 competitions at this year’s Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards covering Quality Timber, Farm Woodland, New Native Woodland, Community Woodland and Schools and Early Years, as well as a Climate Change Champion.
For full details, criteria and entry forms see: www.sfwa.co.uk Note – deadline is March 31.
For more information and all media inquiries please contact Nick Drainey at media@sfwa.co.uk or 07711441707
Climate, Community, Forestry and Farming at the Heart of Scotland’s Finest Woods 2024
Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards are back for 2024 after a wonderful celebration in 2023. And this year four key areas form the focus of the prestigious Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards – climate, community, forestry and farming.
The environment is central to everything the awards are about and the competition for the Climate Change Champion Trophy promises a strong field. Last year The Future Forest Company for Dumyat, near Stirling, took the prize with a “multi-use forest for the future”, which saw great examples of carbon sequestration, enhancing biodiversity and providing for communities.
Jean Nairn, Executive Director of Scotland’s Finest Woods, said: “Forestry and agriculture play a vital role in the rural economy of Scotland and we are proud to celebrate that in our awards. But they are also an important player in the nation’s attempts to move to net zero and tackle climate change – helping the environment not only in reducing CO2 but also reducing the risk of flooding and protecting vital peatland habitats, as well as helping agriculture thrive.
“Last year it was great to see lots of community involvement, from both young and old, in the awards and we are expecting for the same again in 2024. It is vital the fight against climate change involves all sectors of society so everyone can help mitigate, educate and adapt to the challenges we face in Scotland and across the globe.
“Across Scotland we know there are inspirational people who are making a difference through their commitment to the woodlands they own, manage and volunteer in. This is the chance to celebrate them.”
The great work of communities was highlighted last year by the winners of the Tim Stead Trophy for the overall Community Woodland Award – Friends of Almondell & Calderwood with West Lothian Council for Almondell Woods.
The winner of the Woodland Trust Scotland Trophy for New Native Woods was Martyn’s Wood, Crannich, Isle of Mull – which created an area of biodiversity on inhospitable ground and was planted in the memory of the nephew of owner Robin Sedgwick.
Meanwhile, Fordyce Primary School near Portsoy in Aberdeenshire took home the Crown Estate Scotland Schools’ Trophy.
And the winner of the Scottish Forestry Early Years’ Trophy was Bushcraft Bairns at Comrie Croft, Perthshire who created a Forest School setting that nurtures connection with nature through play.
Forestry and farming form a bedrock for the awards with vital work in integrating trees into the Scottish landscape, to benefit wood production and agriculture, as well as the environment. This year we are excited to announce a new sponsor for one of the 11 competitions – the Farm Woodland Award Whole Farm / Croft, which comes with the magnificent Lilburn Trophy for an active farmer/crofter anywhere in Scotland, will be sponsored by Fountains Forestry UK Ltd. Without sponsors and supporters there would be no annual awards and the organisers are grateful for the new and continued support.
A brilliant example of agroforestry using pigs won David Carruth the Scottish Woodlands Farm Woodland Trophy for Young People in 2023 for his work at Brodoclea, Dalry, North Ayrshire for The Future Forest Company.
And the icing on the cake for the Quality Timber Awards was the highly coveted Dulverton Flagon, an occasional award given at the judges’ discretion for a successful balance between commercial forestry and competing objectives. It was given to Ardachuple, in a National Scenic Area at the Kyles of Bute, Cowal – owned by Bamberg Ltd and managed by Tilhill.
The Scottish Government continues to support ambitious tree planting targets and organisers are hoping for another exceptional set of winners in 2024.
Last year, Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform & Islands, presented the awards. She said: “The awards are a great opportunity to showcase Scotland’s woodlands and the very people who work tirelessly to manage and care for them.
“There’s a great variety of awards involving best practice in farm woodlands, climate change, community involvement, right through to schools and native woodlands.
“I would certainly welcome and encourage all those to enter the awards and help make the 2024 event another big success.”
The full list of awards are open to anyone with a high-quality project, whether that be a school or pre-school nursery, a forestry business – small or large, an expert forester, farmer or crofter, and a community woodland.
Guy Watt, Chair of Scotland’s Finest Woods, the charity which operates the programme, said: “It was a pleasure to once again be at the Royal Highland Show to celebrate some wonderful work being done across Scotland. This year is already looking set to be a great success.
“It is important we celebrate and champion the environment as well as the community and commercial work which contributes to a wonderful diversity of woodlands in our country.
“Praise should also go to the judges, whose knowledge and guidance are vital to producing an awards programme that is of the highest excellence. We should also thank entrants for taking the time and effort to take part in what is a fantastic celebration of trees, woodland and forestry in all its forms.”
Entries must be submitted by 23:59 on Sunday March 31, 2024. For full details, criteria and entry forms see: www.sfwa.co.uk
For more information and all media inquiries please contact Nick Drainey at media@sfwa.co.uk or 07711441707
CASE STUDY
David Carruth Brodoclea Woodland Farm, near Dalry / The Future Forest Company
An innovative example of agroforestry using pigs to help grow a forest won David Carruth the Scottish Woodlands Farm Woodland – Young People Trophy at the 2023 Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards.
David, from Brodoclea Woodland Farm, near Dalry, in North Ayrshire, which is owned and managed by The Future Forest Company, works with a herd of 163 Mangalitza pigs.
The pigs manage the forest by grazing down the dominant species on the forest floor, allowing other species of plants and young trees to thrive.
To maximise their effectiveness in this role, David uses a system of adaptive “mob” grazing, keeping the pigs in large groups and grazing them through twenty separate 25-acre forest paddocks.
David added: “Pigs are just brilliant for the woodland, they are the ultimate eco-system engineers … it makes your wood more resilient in a changing world.
“I grew up in dairy farming and it was always said that farming was difficult. I am studying environmental science and have found a way back into farming.”
He hopes more young people can enter farming and that his accolade from Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2023 will be an inspiration: “When you get young people on the land with creative ideas you can solve a lot of the problems of our time.
“Winning at the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards has helped get me known, boosted my confidence to do more and hopefully made some young folk think about going into agroforestry.”
You can learn more about his work on this video: https://youtu.be/GpG5jeHweBw
David’s early years were spent on two family dairy farms in Renfrewshire. It was his grandfather’s love of nature that led him to volunteering in conservation and habitat creation across the world; from Norway to Canada, Tanzania to the Peruvian Amazon.
This work, and his ongoing degree in environmental science, have allowed David a better understanding of how the global climate and ecological crisis translates down to a local level.
Now, with The Future Forest Company at Brodoclea, he has returned to hills and glens where he grew up.
A forest for the future, designed to help in the fight against climate change, a young farmer mixing trees and pigs, and a community woodland in a country park were all honoured at the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2023.
Coupled with a special award for forestry which balanced commercial aims with biodiversity and the wider environment, as well as a woodland planted in memory of a lost family member and some fine examples of schools and early years projects, the ceremony at the Royal Highland Show was a true celebration of all that is good about Scotland’s forests and woodlands.
This year’s winner of the prestigious CarbonStore trophy for Climate Change Champion was The Future Forest Company Ltd for Dumyat, near Stirling.
They have produced a “multi-use forest for the future”, with the main objectives of carbon sequestration, enhancing biodiversity and providing for communities, both now and for years to come.
There is a total planting area of 184 ha with over 340k trees, and an avoidance of monoculture with the use of 18 different species of tree, as well as plans to introduce wildflower meadows to increase biodiversity.
They were told: “The Judges found this to be a well-conceived, innovative, and compelling example of modern woodland creation to address the challenges of climate change. The entire scheme is relatable to other possible woodland creation schemes and appears exemplary in execution to date.”
A brilliant example of agroforestry using pigs won David Carruth the Scottish Woodlands Ltd. Trophy for Young People for his work at at Brodoclea, Dalry, North Ayrshire for The Future Forest Company Ltd.
The judges praised the “innovation being shown in establishing this enterprise” while David told them he works with a herd of 163 Mangalitza pigs on the forest floor. David added: “The local ecology responds well to the pigs as they create opportunities for birds, invertebrates and small mammals. We monitor biodiversity onsite through conducting surveys and recording our observations.
“For the pigs, the constant access to fresh foliage means that I only supply them with 3% of their total diet through summer months. They are healthier and happier because they have large social circles and can constantly engage with the woodland.”
Winner of the Large Community Woodland Group competition and of the Tim Stead Trophy for the overall Community Woodland Award were Friends of Almondell & Calderwood with West Lothian Council for Almondell Woods at Almondell & Calderwood Country Park.
They delivered rejuvenation and restoration projects within the boundaries of the old Almondell Estate, restoring a 19th century walled garden with building work and the planting of fruit trees to demonstrate heritage cultivation methods. There is now also a community heritage trail around 9 historic features dating from 1790’s, as well some great woodland management.
The judges said: “Overall, Almondell Woodlands is exemplary in the partnership which has established between a Local Authority woodland owner and a “Local friends of Group.” And importantly, those involved are still enjoying being involved.”
Winner of the Dulverton Flagon, an occasional award given at the judges’ discretion for a successful balance between commercial forestry and competing objectives was Ardachuple, in a National Scenic Area at the Kyles of Bute, Cowal.
The work saw them establish a productive crop using sound silviculture. At the same time they developed biodiversity for the benefit of wildlife and raptors, and enhanced habitat where possible existing native woodlands.
The judges said: “Ardachuple was an extremely well designed, planned and implemented scheme which showed how commercial woodland can be established in a very sensitive landscape.”
The winner of the Woodland Trust Scotland Trophy for New Native Woods was Martyn’s Wood, Crannich, Isle of Mull.
It was planted in memory of Martyn Osmond, the nephew of owner Robin Sedgwick, who passed away as a result of a tragic accident on January 1, 2009, at the age of just 21. Robin told the judges: “We felt planting this woodland at a time of great sadness would turn a negative situation into a positive ‘living’ future.”
It was difficult to have a good tree establishment on infertile, exposed, treeless land. Because of that they used Alder and Poplar, both fast growing, to nurse the more tender stems of Oak, Willow, Rowan, Silver Birch and Hazel. The bulk of the Poplar will be removed once the woodland is fully established.
Meanwhile, Fordyce Primary School near Portsoy in Aberdeenshire took home the Crown Estate Scotland Schools’ Trophy.
The judges summed up the tireless work of the pupils and staff: “The project was multifaceted and included the Fordyce Plantation project where the pupils worked with the local estate in an area of forestry adjacent to the school to identify and map the Badger setts for forest management purposes.
“The pupils also planted a woodland in the school grounds as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy Project. What shone out was the pupils’ voice in driving the school improvement journey and their investment in and enthusiasm for the projects. A well-deserved winner.”
The winner of the Scottish Forestry Early Years’ Trophy was Bushcraft Bairns at Comrie Croft, Perthshire who created a Forest School setting that nurtures connection with nature through play.
The judges praised the use of “waste wood materials from the nearby wedding venue to build structures in the wood, to rooting the entire programme within the curriculum.” They said the result was “a magical woodland space for young people to grow in and learn about trees and woodlands”.
Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform & Islands, who presented the Awards, said: “The Awards are a great opportunity to celebrate our trees and woodlands, and especially, all the inspiring people who care for them. I’d like to congratulate the award winners and everyone who took part.
“This year we’ve had some fantastic entries which shows Scotland really does have a vibrant forestry and woodland sector.
“I’m particularly pleased to see so many children and young people involved in award entries. We need to grow and nurture our future foresters from an early age and attract more young people into the world of forestry. This is an important issue that needs collective public and private action and I’m looking forward to discussing this, and finding solutions, at the forthcoming Scottish Forestry Summit later in the year.”
Jean Nairn, Executive Director of Scotland’s Finest Woods, said: “Once again, Scotland has excelled itself in producing some world-beating examples of forestry and woodland, not least in the important sphere of climate change.
“The awards ceremony is a well-established fixture on the calendar and it is always pleasing to see such a wide range of entries, from early years through to more seasoned foresters, community groups to farmers. I think another benefit of today was that everyone learned something from each other – all doing things differently but with the aim of the environment and trees at the heart of it.”
Images attached to email – for more pictures (including winners receiving their prizes), quotes from the winners and interview requests, contact Nick Drainey on 07711 441707 or nicholasdrainey@gmail.com
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Full list of awarded entries
Climate Change Champion
Winner of the CarbonStore trophy for Climate Change Champion: The Future Forest Company Ltd for Dumyat, near Stirling
Highly commended: Clyde Climate Forest
Early Years Award
Winner of the Scottish Forestry Early Years’ Trophy: Bushcraft Bairns, Comrie Croft, Perthshire
Schools Award
Winners of the Crown Estate Scotland Schools’ Trophy: Fordyce Primary School, near Portsoy, Aberdeenshire
Commended: Banchory Academy
Commended: Linnvale Primary School, Clydebank
Commended: Oakbank Primary School, Perth
Farm Woodland Award
Winner of the Scottish Woodlands Ltd Trophy for Young People: David Carruth at Brodoclea, Dalry, North Ayrshire for The Future Forest Company Ltd
New Native Woods Award
Winner of the Woodland Trust Scotland Trophy for New Native Woods: Martyn’s Wood, Crannich, Isle of Mull
Highly Commended: Strathvaich New Native Woodland, Garve, Highlands
Commended: Camas Wood, Isle of Mull
Commended: Storakaig Wood, Islay
Quality Timber Awards
New Commercial Woods category
Winner of the James Jones Trophy for New Commercial Woods: Crofthead, Moffat, Borders
Winner of the John Kennedy Trophy for Multi-purpose Woodlands for Whole Forest or Estate: Barracks Forest, near Kinloch Rannoch, Perthshire for CCF LLP c/o Fountains Forestry UK Ltd
Commended: Clow and Condie, Bridge of Earn
The Dulverton Flagon
Winner of the Dulverton Flagon as a special prize for the successful balance between commercial forestry and competing objectives: Ardachuple, Kyles of Bute, Cowal
Community Woodlands Award
Winner of the Small Community Woodland Group competition: Doune Community Woodland Group for Doune Ponds, Doune, near Stirling
Winner of the Large Community Woodland Group competition and of the Tim Stead Trophy for overall Community Woodland Award Winner: Friends of Almondell & Calderwood with West Lothian Council for Almondell Woods, Almondell & Calderwood Country Park
Commended: Carron Valley Community Woodland (Valley Renewables Group)
Jean Nairn has been appointed Executive Director of Scotland’s Finest Woods, responsible for running Scotland’s ‘Tree Oscars’.
Having spent more than 20 years working in and around the sector, Jean is well qualified to take on the prestigious annual Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards, celebrating all aspects of woodland and forest management, from forestry to farming, community to schools.
Jean said: “We are promoting the work carried out by forestry and farming sectors including the additional Climate Change Champion award which demonstrates best practice and innovation within the sector as well as schools and communities.” She added: “The awards are a fantastic demonstration of the diversity of people we see across the forest and woodland management sector. It is great to see how things are always moving forward with young and old being represented, something I want to continue and build on.
“Climate change is affecting every part of society and we want to promote the fantastic work being done across Scotland’s wonderful forests and woodlands to mitigate, adapt and educate the impact of a warming planet.”
With roots in the heart of ‘Big Tree Country’, Jean entered the forest industry in Scotland after graduating from Bangor University with a degree in Agroforestry. After working with Confor and Scottish Woodlands among others she has trained as a Forest Therapy Guide, certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy.
She believes it is important to recognise the forests, woodlands and managers who create the landscape, managed to industry standards, which also manifest in wellbeing benefits which can be gained by people being among the trees.
Jean added: “If we have great woodlands to enjoy, we feel better because being around trees has the ability to calm and restore us. After all, as human beings we have lived in the woods for most of our lives.
“Managing these trees through multi-purpose forestry is important and vital work in terms of having a thriving industry at the same time as feeling good and saving the planet. That is why I am thrilled and excited to take on this new role.”
Jean replaces Angela Douglas whose eight years in the role have seen the awards grow from strength to strength. Guy Watt, Chair, on behalf of the Trustees said “we would like to thank Angela for her sterling efforts during her term. We are delighted to welcome Jean who will carry on helping the awards to celebrate and recognise some of the great work being carried out across Scotland.”
For more information and interview requests please contact Nick Drainey on 07711 441707 or nicholasdrainey@gmail.com
The attached picture is of Jean Nairn, please credit SFW
Note to editors
Scotland’s Finest Woods is a charity which relies on the generosity of its partners and supporters to provide the resources needed to stage Scotland’s premier woodland awards programme.
Scotland’s Finest Woods’ key delivery partners in 2022 are:
● EGGER
● Outdoor & Woodland Learning Scotland
● Tilhill
Support for the awards programme in 2022 was also provided by:
● Community Woodlands Association
● Confor
● Institute of Chartered Foresters
● Royal Scottish Forestry Society
Scotland’s Finest Woods are delighted to announce the appointment of three experienced and talented forestry professionals to its Board of Trustees.
Tim Liddon, John Paterson and Stuart Glen bring a wealth of experience and skills to the team which supports the delivery of the annual awards programme to reward excellence in forests, woods and woodland education.
Tim Liddon recently retired as Forestry Director of Tilhill after a very distinguished career spanning more than four decades. As he says in his LinkedIn profile: “I have been in forestry for longer than it takes a Sitka spruce tree to mature but not as long as an Oak tree.”
John Paterson is another hugely experienced forester who has worked with EGGER Group for more than 30 years. He is currently a manager with the company, specialising in public affairs and stakeholder engagement and was previously Director of EGGER Forestry and Wood Purchasing Manager.
Stuart Glen is Member Services Director at the Institute of Chartered Foresters, where he has worked for eight years. His background is in fundraising, marketing and membership services.
Angela Douglas, Executive Director of Scotland’s Finest Woods, said: “It’s a real pleasure to welcome Tim, John and Stuart to the Board of Trustees. They bring a wealth of experience in the sector and a breadth of hugely relevant skills that will be invaluable to Scotland’s Finest Woods. The rest of the Trustees are delighted to have them on board.”
Scotland’s Finest Woods Board is currently chaired by Guy Watt, supported by fellow Trustees Wilma Harper, Sir Patrick Hunter Blair, Peter Whitfield and Malcolm Young. Angela Douglas is also a Trustee, but has decided to stand down after eight years in the role of Executive Director – with applications for her successor open until May 2nd. Details here
