Woodland Expansion

The project area’s existing native woodland extends to approximately 4,000 hectares – 6.5% of the Living Landscape area. Much of this comprises of small, scattered fragments found along the area’s coastal fringes. Due to their small size most native woodlands are not designated, but offer considerable potential for protection and expansion to improve their connectivity and resilience.

Scattered along the lower edges of the coast, lochs and lochans, up gullies and in places sheltered from the sometimes dramatic elements the area experiences, lie some beautiful, species rich woodlands, but many are in need of protection and enhancement if they are to both survive and thrive into the future.

The aims of this project were to:

• Protect the existing native woodland fragments in the area;
• Facilitate expansion through encouraging native regeneration and where appropriate the planting of native species, with suitable protection of the form of fencing, and;
• Promote the connection of woodland fragments thereby providing habitat corridors for woodland and associated species.

As well as delivering environmental benefits the project looked at the practical benefits that woodland can provide, including:

• Shelter – from the elements for people, wildlife and stock.
• Fuelwood – a local sustainable and environmentally friendly option.
• Orchards – support for establishing community orchards.
• Wildlife – shelter, food and habitat network linkage.

Please scroll down to read about some of the work that we have done & see the Project Report for full details.

Although the CALLP Woodland Expansion project has come to an end Elaine MacAskill continues as Woodland Manager with the Woodland Trust, and can be contacted at ElaineMacaskill@woodlandtrust.org.uk

Our Woodland Expansion project is featured as a Project in Progress on the Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest (ASR) website. ASR is a voluntary partnership of over 20 organisations, including Scottish Wildlife Trust, CALLP’s lead partner, that are committed to collaborative action for the benefit of Scotland’s rainforests. You can find out more about ASR at https://savingscotlandsrainforest.org.uk/about .

This short video will tell you more about the importance of our rainforests, and how you can help.