16 NOVEMBER 2004 NEWS RELEASE No: 7009

Scotland's Forestry Minister today announced a new team to bring a more local flavour to forestry in Central Scotland.

A new Regional Forestry Forum, covering Edinburgh and the Lothians, parts of Fife, and Lanarkshire through to Strathclyde, will meet three times a year with the aim of ensuring local communities and businesses are well represented and involved in maximising the benefits from forestry.

The Forum will advise Forestry Commission Scotland on woodland policies from a regional viewpoint.

Announcing the new Forum, Mr Macdonald said:

"Managing Scotland's forests is not just about the production of timber. Our forests also help to boost Scottish tourism, promote healthy lifestyles through recreation, provide safe havens for wildlife and, vitally, support around 10,000 jobs.

"To get the most out of our forests and woodlands, it is imperative to get more people involved in helping shape the future of Scottish forestry. The Regional Forestry Forums will do this by bringing together a wealth of local expertise and experience to help Forestry Commission Scotland deliver local benefits to local communities."

There are 13 members of the Central Scotland Regional Forestry Forum:

Simon Rennie, Chairperson, (Shotts)
Mr Rennie is Chief Executive of Central Scotland Forest Trust and recently led the creation of the Central Scotland Forest Strategy and local forestry framework. He has many years of experience in urban regeneration and health issues related to forestry.

James Coyle (Motherwell)
Mr Coyle is a North Lanarkshire Councillor and Convenor of the Planning and Environment Committee. He is also a care worker for a children's residential unit.

Dr Patricia Bradley (Glasgow)
Dr Bradley is Director, South and West, RSPB, and an Honorary lecturer at Glasgow University. She is a board member of the Loch Lomond National Park.

Steve Luker (Glasgow)
Mr Luker delivers the Lanarkshire derelict land Greening Framework and the redevelopment of Gartcosh steel works into a business park. He also works on implementing the Scottish Forest Industries Cluster programme.

Andrea Smith (Edinburgh)
Ms Smith is the Director of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and is an experienced field archaeologist in the forestry sector.

Nigel Hooper (Milngavie)
Mr Hooper is planning manager for East Dunbartonshire Council and chair of the Clyde Valley Structure Plan Joint Committee. He is experienced in developing forestry strategies and in urban regeneration.

Tim Hall (Edinburgh)
Operations Director at the Woodland Trust Scotland and currently a member of the Scottish Forestry Forum. Mr Hall developed the UK policy for public access for the Trust.

Shireen Chambers (Kirknewton, West Lothian)
Shireen is Chief Executive of the Greenbelt Foundation and has an extensive knowledge of urban regeneration and environmental improvement programmes.

Guy Wedderburn (Perth)
Mr Wedderburn is Director of land agents Bell Ingram and is a board member of Scottish Natural Heritage. He has managed estates across Central Scotland and has experience of managing the urban edge.

Chris Norman (Edinburgh)
Mr Norman is Chief Development Control Officer for West Lothian Council. He has a sound understanding of problems of development, regeneration, mining and environmental justice in Central Scotland.

Meriel Young (Edinburgh)
Meriel is transport policy officer at Edinburgh City Council and a board member of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. She was formerly a woodland officer and has a professional interest in urban/countryside access and the promotion of cycling.

Bob Frost (Prestwick)
Bob is co-ordinator of the Ayrshire and Arran Woodland Partnership with responsibility of implementing their strategy. He has a particular interest in community woodlands.

Alan Bloomfield (Stirlingshire)
Alan is responsible for forestry and fibre procurement for wood processing company Norboard UK. He is also an Executive Board member of the Forest Education Initiative.

The first meeting of the Regional Forestry Forum for Central Scotland is due to take place on 28 January next year. For more information on the Forum, members should contact Central Scotland Conservancy on 0141 941 2611.

Notes to news editors

1. Recently, Forestry Commission Scotland restructured its six Conservancy boundaries to form five new Conservancy areas. The new boundaries will match the new Forum structure. Conservancies work in partnership with other agencies and private woodland owners to deliver the Scottish Forest Strategy.

2. Members of the Regional Forestry Forum take up the post on a voluntary basis. Due the additional responsibilities of the Chairman, the post attracts a £2,000 a year salary.

3. Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Executive's forestry department. It manages 667,000 hectares of national forest lands owned by Scottish Ministers for multiple benefits, including timber production, nature conservation and public recreation; supports other woodland owners with grants, felling licences, advice and regulation; promotes the benefits of forests and forestry; and advises Ministers on forestry policy. For further information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland

4. Media enquiries: Steve Williams, Forestry Commission Scotland press office 0131 314 6508.