Habitat networks
Habitat networks help shape the character of a local landscape, linking woodlands old and new to form more continuous woodland cover than at present. Managing and restoring these networks can help address problems associated with intensive land management, benefiting wildlife and giving local people better facilities for enjoying the outdoors.
We currently work in partnership with other organisations and groups to implement a Forest Habitat Network in Edinburgh and Lothians and Integrated Habitat Networks in Glasgow and Clyde Valley and Falkirk areas.
More about habitat networks (opens in new window).
Edinburgh and the Lothians Forest Habitat Network Partnership (ELFHNP)
This partnership, established in 2007, helps to provide a more co-ordinated approach to the development of forestry throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians. In particular, the partnership promotes the associated social and ecological benefits of habitat networks.
ELFHNP is a joint initiative between Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, City of Edinburgh Council, Midlothian Council, East Lothian Council, West Lothian Council, Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust, Central Scotland Forest Trust and Woodland Trust Scotland. The Partnership is committed to promoting the economic, social and ecological benefits of green networks across our Region. Our aim of creating a quality environment will be achieved through coordinated action by communities, agencies and businesses working together.
Download the Edinburgh & Lothians Forestry Framework (draft) at www.elfhnp.org.uk/vision.html
There's more about the Edinburgh and the Lothians Forest Habitat Network at www.elfhnp.org.uk
Glasgow Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership
Delivering a green network across Glasgow and the Clyde Valley will bring a number of benefits, including:
- increasing the attractiveness of the region as a location for business;
- creating opportunities for health improvement;
- building stronger, better-connected communities; and
- protecting and enhancing wildlife and the environment, by providing accessible, quality greenspace.
Central Scotland Conservancy partners with Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Enterprise, Communities Scotland, Glasgow Centre for Population Health and the eight Local Authorities within Glasgow and Clyde Valley on this programme. Delivering a green network is identified in the Glasgow & Clyde Valley Structure Plan.
Find out more about the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network at www.gcvgreennetwork.gov.uk.
Edinburgh and Lothians Forest Education Development Programme
This programme aims to consolidate the Forest School pilot project, developed in 2005, which looked to increase the educational use of urban woodland by local schools, promoting health & wellbeing of both the students and the natural environment.
Our project officer continuously supports an extensive network of education professionals, increasing the long-term sustainability of the programme and using the existing initiatives to demonstrate good practice.
The partnership’s work links with the delivery of Forestry Commission Scotland’s Woods In and Around Towns agenda across Central Scotland, the Woods for Learning educational strategy, as well as with national and local initiatives driven by other organisations and groups.
It is a joint initiative between Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, City of Edinburgh Council and the Edinburgh and Lothians Forest Education Initiative Cluster Group.
Download the Project Report 2006-2008 (PDF 1.8Mb)
More information about the Edinburgh and Lothians Forest Education Development Programme is at http://www.foresteducation.org/local_groups.php?id=153.
Glasgow City Woodland Initiative
We are also working with Glasgow City Council to take forward a strategic programme of work to bring the city's woodlands into active management by providing a range of social, economic and environmental benefits.
City Woodland Initiative website http://www.glasgowwoodland.org.uk/.
Treefest
The Treefest partnerhsip aims to deliver a wide range of events for children and families to promote activities on the national forest estate, in woods around communities, and to help them find out more about trees, local woods and wildlife.
Our Treefest programme in 2008 was developed around the climate change theme. You can download the climate change leaflet (PDF 1.3Mb) used as part of the programme.
Khush Dil
We are currently engaging with several communities as part of our Kush Dil campaign following up from A Journey Through The Forest developed for the Children Area at the Edinburgh Mela Festival in 2008. Visit our health pages to find out more about the Khush Dil initiative.
2014 Commonwealth Games
In 2014 Glasgow will host the Commonwealth Games. The Scottish Government is emphasising the importance of the games leaving a legacy of social, economic and environmental benefits for the people of Scotland.
We are working to help realise these ambitions by working with regional and national partners, to develop a programme of environmental initiatives linking woodlands into the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
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