SRPBA Announces Landowner event at Rosewell
2 June 2009

Edinburgh & Lothians landowners are poised to become more practically involved in development of the Forest Habitat Network.

The Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA) will be co-hosting a workshop with ELFHNP at Rosewell on the 19th of June on land owned by Crown Estates. The event will include a presentation on the background to ELFHNP followed by a walk around the Crown Estates land to look at practical examples of what can be done to enhance habitats and connectivity.

Involvement by the rural landowners and businesses is seen as essential for development of  habitat networks on the ground. There is huge potential for lanadowners to get involved through forestry and agri-environment schemes. Beneficial actions might include;

• Planting of new farm woodlands adjoining or connecting existing woodland
• Enhancement of riparian zones through regeneration of riverside vegetation
• Management of existing woods to improve condition and species diversity
• Provision of local path networks and routes close to communities

The recent uptake of funds for forestry measures from the £1.3 billion Scottish Rural Development Plan (SRDP) has not been as high as expected in the Lothians. It is likely that new grant rates for planting will be announced later in the year, subject to approval from Brussels. This will provide an added incentive for Lothian landowners to become involved.

The event at Rosewell will concentrate on two sites; a former open cast coal site which is currently being restored and an area of mature woodland which is used as a resource by local people.

To find out further information about the event please contact ian@elfhnp.org.uk  

To book a place please contact janice.cassidy@srpba.com