Woodlands In and Around Towns (WIAT)
The Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT) Programme provides the focus for Scottish Forestry’s work on improving quality of life in towns and cities.
The purpose of WIAT is to:
- Bring neglected woodland into active management.
- Work with people to help them use their local woodland.
There are four key characteristics of woodland that determine whether it improves quality of life:
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Where it is
The woodland must be close to where people live and/or work. We will undertake WIAT related activities within 1km of settlements of over 2000 people (Fig 1). Within the WIAT area, deprived areas are a priority.
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How it is managed
Management for people will be the top priority in most WIAT woodlands. Woods should be safe and welcoming to all. WIAT woodland is also important for other aspects of forestry such as biodiversity. Woodland involved in WIAT should be managed in accordance with the UK Forestry Standard.
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How it is connected to other woodland and greenspace
WIAT will promote the creation and management of woodland that is close to other woodland and greenspace so that it contributes to green networks. Paths should link the networks.
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How it is connected to people
Most of the activity in this programme is directed at the physical elements of WIAT: where it is, how it is managed, and how it is connected into green networks. However, reaching out to people should be part of every WIAT project to help people use woodland.