Green Action Trust has been working with Falkirk Council over the last few years to manage and develop its woodland portfolio.
A consultation exercise held in 2018 presented a range of proposals for woodland management and creation in the Lower Braes area. These proposals have been refined and funding has been secured through Falkirk Council’s allocation of the Scottish Government’s ‘Nature Restoration Fund’ to deliver woodland planting at six sites across the area in April 2022. Further details about the sites can be found below.
This planting initiative will help deliver Falkirk Council’s overall woodland aspirations, namely:
“By 2055, an expanded and better-connected network of high-quality woodland will make a significantly enhanced contribution to Falkirk’s economy, the health and well-being of our communities and the quality and resilience of our environments.”
The initiative will also help to deliver the aims of the wider Central Scotland Green Network and will support The Queens Green Canopy, a unique tree planting campaign created to Mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
The six sites being planted are:
Polmont Burn/Gilston Crescent
- Native Broadleaf tree planting (0.38 hectares)
- Shrub planting (0.11 hectares)
- Native standard (large) tree planting (7 trees)
Gray Buchanan Park
- Native Broadleaf tree planting (1.68 hectares)
- Shrub planting (0.57 hectares)
- Native standard (large) tree planting (6 trees)
Polmont Station SINC/Redding Bing
- Native Broadleaf tree planting (0.33 hectares)
- Shrub planting (0.11 hectares)
- Native standard (large) tree planting (14 trees)
Westquarter Glen
- Native Broadleaf tree planting (0.44 hectares)
- Shrub planting (0.1 hectares)
- Native standard (large) tree planting (7 trees)
Laurieston Public Park (The Thrums)
- Native Broadleaf tree planting (0.38 hectares)
- Shrub planting (0.13 hectares)
Polmont Park
- Native standard (large) tree planting (1 tree)
Green Action Trust took the following steps to develop this plan:
- A strategic overview of all woodland assets owned by Falkirk Council
- Community/Stakeholder consultation
- Prioritisation and setting out proposals for woodland holdings over the next 10 years, including opportunities for woodland expansion.
- Identifying opportunities for woodland creation
- Developing Urban Woodland Management Plans (UWMP) for each of the woodland holdings
- Identifying and securing funding for ongoing management of the woodlands
If you would like to find out more about this particular project, or how the Green Action Trust can help your organisation plan a planting initiative or manage a woodland portfolio, please get in touch with us at [email protected]