Bill Kidd, SNP MSP for Glasgow, has today (Tuesday 24th February) welcomed news that the local Drumchapel urban woodland projects are to benefit from Scottish Government funding. This followed the announcement made earlier today by Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, that £870,000 of Scottish Government funding is to be invested in sprucing up Scotland's woodlands.

The Drumchapel Woodland Group is receiving £3,700 in funding which will allow them to take on a part-time volunteer-coordinator who will have the role of encouraging people in the local area to get involved in the woodland. The group consists of a number of local volunteers who have, in previous years, transformed local woodland areas by picking up litter, laying paths and tending to trees and plants.

Funding of £22,513 has also been provided for a special community event at Heathcote Avenue, which is to be held during national tree week and is to be undertaken by the Council’s Woodland Unit and Drumchapel Woodland Group.

Twenty-two projects across Scotland, five of which are located in Glasgow, are receiving the cash boost ensuring that local woodlands make a bigger difference to the health and well-being of communities living nearby.

Commenting, Mr Kidd said: "This is excellent news. The Drumchapel Woodland Group has worked very hard – taking real pride in the local area and completely transforming the long- neglected bluebell woods into a community focal point which is now welcoming to people of all ages.

"This funding will allow the group to continue their hard work and extend their capacities. The addition of a part-time volunteer coordinator will allow the group to get more people involved in the woodland; boosting the sense of community and pride in the local area.

“The Scottish Government continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable urban regeneration and I am delighted that Drumchapel, and Glasgow generally, has benefited so greatly from this funding.

Notes:

1.      Drumchapel Woodland Group: £3,700 to the group so that they can take on a part-time volunteer-coordinator to help get more people involved in the woodland

Heathcote Avenue: £22,513 towards a special community event undertaken by the Council’s Woodland Unit and Drumchapel Woodlands Group during National Tree Week.

Castlemilk Environment Trust: A grant of  £134, 483 has been awarded to carry on and build on the success of their local “Live it, Breathe it, Walk it” project.

Dawsholm Woodlands: the Council’s Woodland Unit aim to improve and upgrade the recreational infrastructure of the woodland and boost volunteering and activities for school kids. £41, 943 has been awarded for this.

Darnley & Ward 3: £121,200 will go towards very detailed management plans for 12 city woodland areas in southwest Glasgow for the benefit of communities. The plans will also include the potential for woodfuel projects and tackling anti-social behaviour.

2.      The funding to physically revitalise woodlands across Scotland is primarily from the WIAT (Woods In and Around Towns) Challenge fund, to which applicants submit bids to Forestry Commission Scotland.  A second Challenge Fund, Forests For People, has been developed to support the activities necessary to help people enjoy their local woods. This fund supports community-based, education and health activities that encourage greater use of woodland. This fund is available to applicants across Scotland. Further information on the WIAT and Forests For People funds can be found on the www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland website.

3.      Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Government’s forestry directorate and manages the 667,000 hectare national forest estate. The Commission’s woodlands are making a difference to the well being of Scotland’s people and their communities. Local woodlands act as a catalyst for communities to meet up, get involved with projects and volunteering, or simply enjoy the many walking trails, bike rides and peace and quiet that forests and woodlands can offer. By developing more woodlands, especially near towns and cities, woodlands can also improve healthier lifestyles and bring a boost to urban development across Scotland.