North Esk Valley Management Plan wins WIAT funding

January 2010

ELFHNP is happy to announce that our application for funding for an integrated management plan for the North Esk Valley has been successful.

The funding for the plan has been awarded from the Forestry Commission Scotland Woods in and Around Towns (WIAT) Programme. The funding will commission a management plan for an important section of the North Esk which includes Roslin Glen and Bilston Wood SSSI sites. The Plan will address issues such as woodland management, biodiversity, paths and community involvement.

ELFHNP Officer Ian Whitehead said, “We are exceptionally pleased to get funding from Forestry Commission Scotland to take forward work in this exceptional area. What makes this project exciting and unique is the fact that we will be working across nine separate land-ownerships covering a total area of 191ha to identify and reconcile priorities for woodland conservation and access. Although this creates challenges, the resultant improvement to local amenity will make it all well worth the effort in the longer term.”

A contract for developing the management plan is currently being put out to tender. The successful contractor will be required to work closely with local landowners, communities and stakeholders in the development of the plan.

The finished plan should be available in the spring and is likely to result in further improvements on the ground including better managed woods and provision and demarcation of paths. The project should also promote opportunities for local people to become actively involved in the woodlands and to make better use of the area for health and wellbeing.

For further information, please contact:

Ian Whitehead
Edinburgh & Lothians Forest Habitat Network Officer
Tel: 0131 654 1933
Email: ian@elfhnp.org.uk