Scotland’s woodlands and forests are a vital national resource and play an important role in rural development and sustainable land use.

As well as helping to reduce the impacts of climate change and providing timber for industry, our forests enhance and protect the environment and provide opportunities for public enjoyment.

The Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) will support: - the creation of new woodlands, contributing towards the Scottish Government target of over 10,000 hectares of new woodlands per year - the sustainable management of existing woodlands

NATIVE WOODLAND

The aims of this option are to:

• maintain native woodland
• bring native woodlands and designated woodland features into good ecological condition
• restore Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites to native woodland through deer control and the natural regeneration

Native woodlands include a range of habitat types that are all UK priority habitats, while some are also European priority types. Good ecological condition of woodland depends partly on its character, age and management history.

In general, woodland in good ecological condition contains a variety of open ground, native trees and shrubs and wildlife species expected for the type of woodland.

The proposed management must be suitable for the ecosystem to be sustained, adapted or expanded.

You must control any threats from non-native species or inappropriate levels of grazing and browsing so that natural regeneration is encouraged.