15 APRIL 2008 NEWS RELEASE No: 10431

Forestry Commission Scotland has published (April 2008) a multi-agency plan to improve the ecological condition of woodland sites that lie on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) or Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).

The £5M programme, which is in line with the long term vision set out in the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, gauges what action is needed to control grazing, remove non-native tree species and to control bracken and rhododendron.

Bob McIntosh, Director of Forestry Commission Scotland, said:

“To bring all of these woodland sites up to the condition that we would like means bringing 15,000ha under suitable management. It is a challenging task.

“Our aim is to work with landowners and managers to identify solutions to the range of pressures affecting these woodlands, such as over-grazing by deer and livestock and the spread of invasive, non-native species such as rhododendron.

“The Commission will play a leading role in promoting opportunities under SRDP to help land managers to carry out work needed to put these sites on the road to recovery.”

“We expect to have all of our own woodland that lies on designated SSSIs to be in suitable management by 2010.”

It is being driven by Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Deer Commission Scotland, and the Scottish Government.

The participating agencies will work together to promote suitable management of private land using support from the Scottish Rural Development Plan - and other resources - to manage sites on public land and monitor the success of the work carried out.

Ian Jardine, Chief Executive of Scottish Natural Heritage, said:

"We're very happy to welcome and support this initiative. It will help people who own or manage woodlands to increase the benefits for wildlife, and the opportunities for people to enjoy seeing that wildlife. It will also help significantly toward the Scottish Government's targets to improve the state of Scotland's special wildlife areas, and ensure their survival for generations to come."

The advice note can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-7dcjeq

NOTES TO EDITOR:
1) Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Government's forestry department. For more information log on to www.forestry.gov.uk/aboutfcs

2) The total area of designated native woodland managed by Forestry Commission Scotland on Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Special Areas of Conservation is 6000ha.

3) Published in 2004, Scotland's Biodiversity Strategy sets out the Scottish Government's 25 year framework for action to conserve and enhance biodiversity in Scotland. It recognises biodiversity as an important dimension of sustainable development and acknowledges the importance and value of biodiversity both to the economy and to future generations.

4) A commitment to achieving the ecological upgrade at 95% of all Scotland’s classified nature sites - SSSIs and Natura sites - was made by The Scottish Executive in 2006. This has since been adopted as a high level Scottish Government deliverable within the SRDP and more recently a workstream for the SEARS programme. Forest Environment Payments will support sustainable management and Woodland Improvement Grants will support rapid improvements in condition.

5) The full details of the current status of all designated woodland sites can be found on the SiteLink on the SNHi (Scottish Natural Heritage) website www.snh.org.uk/snhi

6) Scottish Government's principal involvement is through the Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Paul Munro, Forestry Commission Scotland press office, 0131 314 6507.