THREE woodlands in Dumfries and Galloway are to benefit from a £40,000 project.
The ‘Woodlands Plus’ project aims to add value to forestry sites through employment, biodiversity or public access.
Co-ordinated and overseen by Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands, the project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the commercial planting sector and the Glenkens and District Trust, administered by Foundation Scotland.
The three site set to benefit include Muirdrochwood Forest near Carsphairn which will use their share to fund the employment of a six-month pre-apprentice role, whose focus will be the maintenance of the 48.7 hectare site.
Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland near Corsock will also receive a share of funding, which will be put to use through planting broadleaf trees, installing paths, signage, seating and delivering events a the site.
The ‘Woodlands Plus’ project also includes Waterside Hill, near Dalry
to install two information panels – drawing together recent work to understand the history of the site. The project will also install a bench on the slope up from Dalry and a Picnic Bench near the summit with awesome views towards the Rhins of Kells.
Commenting on the project’s planned improvements to the sites, McNabb Laurie, manager of Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands, said: “The rural landscape of Dumfries and Galloway is changing fast, driven by decision taken on the national and international stage.
“It is important hat we contribute to these strategic discussions but we also need to focus on local opportunities that result from these changes, adding value for the habitats and the people of our region.”
