The Forth Climate Forest, an initiative led by the University of Stirling, will facilitate the planting of 16 million new trees. They will be planted across Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Falkirk to help tackle climate change and biodiversity loss.
The first trees were planted in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park at Glen Finglas near Brig o’Turk on November 27.
The tree-planting events were held during National Tree Week, the UK’s biggest annual tree celebration. It sees the country’s conservation sector, volunteer groups, and tree lovers come together to plant thousands of trees, celebrating the start of the tree-planting season.
Why and where will trees be planted?
The new trees will help control the extremes of flooding and temperatures, purify air and absorb carbon from the atmosphere. They will deliver long-term ecological, climate and social benefits.
They will be planted on school grounds, vacant and derelict land, and across parks. Where possible, existing woodlands will be stitched together to create wildlife corridors that boost biodiversity. This offers a safe habitat for birds, bats, bees and all woodland animals.
Forth Climate Forest will work with locals, community groups, land managers, businesses, environmental charities, and public agencies to plant the trees.
Forth Climate Forest is a partnership initiative, hosted by the University of Stirling through Scotland’s International Environment Centre.
Protecting and enhancing the natural environment
Stirling Council Leader, Councillor Chris Kane, said: “This major tree-planting project will boost the amount of carbon we capture and help achieve our net zero targets for the region, as well as protecting and enhancing our stunning natural environment for future generations.”
Clackmannanshire Council Leader, Councillor Ellen Forson, said: “Not only will the planting of these new trees help with our efforts in tackling climate change, it will also boost biodiversity, and could potentially lead to some social benefits for our residents in the longer term.”
Falkirk Council Leader, Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, said: “Communities will benefit once these corridors are created with them improving the environment, boosting biodiversity and providing more attractive areas for everyone to enjoy.”
A plan for the next decade
Director of Forth Climate Forest, Doug Worrall, said: “Over the next 10 years, we aim to plant 16 million trees across Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Falkirk Council areas to help tackle the twin crisis of climate change and biodiversity loss.
“We want to plant these 16 million trees where they are needed most so that neighbourhoods can cope with extreme weather events, so that there is a network of connected woodlands where wildlife can thrive, and so that we are on track to achieve net zero targets.
“The great thing about tree planting is that everyone can get involved, meaning that everyone can do something positive to fight climate change and help stop the decline of our wildlife.”
Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Stirling, Professor Alistair Jump, said: “Nature-based solutions such as the Forth Climate Forest will bring major benefits for people, biodiversity and management of climate change impacts alongside speeding the region’s journey to a low-carbon future.
“The planting of the first trees is an important step on that journey, and we look forward to seeing this exciting project make a difference to communities throughout Forth Valley.”
Featured Image Credit: University of Stirling
A 23 year old aspiring writer.
News Editor at Brig Newspaper, 23/24. / Comment Editor, 22/23.
Msc International Journalism.
Founder of https://midwaymagazine.co.uk/
