Cowal and Trossachs District - Forestry Commission Scotland

Transcription

District Strategic Plan
Cowal and
Trossachs District
Strategic Plan
2014-2017
Strategic Plan 2014-2017
Contents
1. Foreword ...................................................................... 3
2. About this plan .............................................................. 5
3. Connecting with Scottish Government national priorities ..... 6
4. Connecting our plans with what we do on the ground ......... 7
5. Values and principles ..................................................... 8
6. Introducing Cowal and Trossachs District ........................ 10
7. District vision .............................................................. 15
8. District priorities and actions ......................................... 15
9. Consulting and engaging with stakeholders ..................... 48
10. Delivery & Monitoring ................................................. 52
Glossary ......................................................................... 54
Contact .......................................................................... 55
Cowal and Trossachs District
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1. Foreword
The main role of Forest Enterprise Scotland is to manage
Scotland’s National Forest Estate. It is, for us, a privilege and
we are excited about the potential to make more of an asset
that occupies 9% of Scotland’s total land area.
We remain committed to our forest management and timber
production roots but we are also showing that with clear
strategic thinking, good spatial planning and a broadening
range of skills and expertise, the Estate can offer much more
besides. To use the language of ecosystem services
(essentially, the benefits people obtain from ecosystems), we
are enhancing the ‘supporting, provisioning, regulating and
cultural services’ provided by the Estate’s woodlands and its
diverse open land area.
At the same time, we are conscious that the Estate is a public
asset. Ours is a stewardship role, and we are continuing to
explore how best to discharge this responsibility in 21st
century Scotland.
We are working with communities and partners to develop the
Estate in a way that delivers against current local and national
priorities, while also ensuring that we manage the Estate
sustainably and improve it for future generations. This
document lays out the next chapter of the Estate’s story; one
that now spans nearly 100 years.
Simon Hodge
Chief Executive of Forest Enterprise Scotland
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1. Ro-ràdh
Is e prìomh dhleastanas Iomairt Choilltean na h-Alba a bhith an
urra ri Oighreachd Coille Nàiseanta na h-Alba, agus tha seo na
urram dhuinn. Tha sinn a’ faighinn brosnachadh mòr às na
cothroman an lùib seo; stòras mòr chraobhan a tha a’
còmhdachadh còrr is 9% de dh’Alba. Tha sinn gu mòr airson is
gum bi sinn dìleas, dìcheallach a thaobh ar n-obrach a’
manaidseadh nan coilltean agus a’ pròiseasadh an fhiodha. Tha
sinn a’ sealltainn, ge-tà, gun gabh mòran a dhèanamh a
bharrachd air seo – tro shiostam-planaidh soilleir, roinnleachdail - le leudachadh ga dhèanamh air sgilean is
teòmachd na buidhne. Ann am briathran nan seirbheisean eagshiostaim, tha sinn a’ toirt leasachadh air ar taic,
goireasachadh, riaghladh agus ar seirbheisean cultarail;
seirbheisean air an toirt seachad bhon dà chuid fearann
coillteach na h-Oighreachd agus tron fharsaingeachd sgìrean de
dh’fhearann fosgailte.
Nì sinn tuilleadh obrach a chum nan dòighean as èifeachdaiche
air an dleastanas seo a choileanadh san 21mh linn; ag obair le
coimhearsnachdan agus le compàirtean gus an Oighreachd a
leasachadh a chum na prìomhachasan ionadail agus nàiseanta
a thoirt gu buil. Nì sinn cinnteach, aig an aon àm, gum bi an
Oighreachd air a ruith ann an dòigh sheasmhach agus gun tèid
a leasachadh airson an ath-ghinealaich. Tha am foillseachadh
seo a’ toirt cunntas air an ath-chaibideil ann am beatha na hOighreachd, beatha a tha a’ dol air ais an ìre mhath 100
bliadhna.
Sìm Hodge
Ceannard Iomairt Choilltean na h-Alba
Tha sinn mothachail gu bheil an Oighreachd na so-mhaoin
phoblach agus tha sinn gu mòr an sàs ann an obair ghlèidhidh.
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2. About this plan
This document describes the role and strategic directions for Cowal
and Trossachs District, an area representing approximately a tenth
of Scotland’s National Forest Estate (the Estate). It replaces the
District Strategic Plan 2009-2013.
Forest Enterprise Scotland (FES) is the agency of Forestry
Commission Scotland (FCS) that manages the Estate on behalf of
Scottish Ministers. Information on FES and its governance, corporate
goals, targets and performance measures can be found at
www.forestry.gov.uk in the FES National Strategic Directions, the
FCS Corporate Plan and Annual Reports.
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3. Connecting with Scottish
Government national priorities
The National Forest Estate covers 9% of Scotland’s land area
and provides a real opportunity to deliver across a number of
Scottish Government priorities. We align the management of
the Estate to Scottish Government’s Scotland Performs
framework.
The Estate presents the biggest opportunity for Scottish
Government to implement the principles of the Land Use
Strategy by working in partnership with nature, and linking
people with the land. However, the Estate can also help meet
Climate Change commitments through the use of trees to
sequester carbon, by contributing to flood mitigation and by
ensuring that the biodiversity of the Estate is secure and able
to adapt to future climate change. This will also ensure a
continued contribution to the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.
Lastly and significantly, the Estate contains approximately
a third of Scotland’s total woodland resource and is key to
delivering the Scottish Forestry Strategy and Forestry
Commission Scotland’s targets.
For more information on the delivery of Scottish Government
priorities and the linking of our priorities to the Scotland
Performs framework, see our National Strategic Directions
document, The role of Scotland’s National Forest Estate and
strategic directions 2013-16.
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4. Connecting our plans with
what we do on the ground
We are currently reviewing our land management planning
system – how we link national commitments and decisionmaking to local action. We have a new National Strategic
Directions document, The role of Scotland’s National Forest
Estate and strategic directions 2013-16, which states our clear
strategic direction for the next three years through a number of
National Key Commitments.
The document you are now reading is part of the next level in
this planning hierarchy, and is one of ten District Plans that
translate the National Key Commitments into regional delivery.
These District Plans will in turn drive our Land Management
Plans, which will build on the success of Forest Design Plans
and further integrate varied land management priorities to
maximise public benefit and optimise the provision of
ecosystem services. Ecosystem services include such varied
objectives as conserving vulnerable species, maintaining a
supply of timber and biomass, and providing the largest area
for recreation in Scotland. Land Management Plans will also
drive the move to a ‘landscape-scale’ estate management
regime.
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5. Values and principles
We aim to be exemplars of multi-purpose and multi-benefit, sustainable land use.
Here are the values we apply when delivering our actions on the National Forest Estate:
Value
Examples of how this is demonstrated
We think long term
Our Land Management Plans have a 50- to 100-year time horizon – we are a world
leader in sustainable land management.
We deliver and demonstrate best
practice
We work to the UK Forestry Standard and Guidelines.
We are independently audited against the UK Woodland Assurance Standard
(UKWAS), and are committed to maintaining our certification under the Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest
Certification (PEFC).
We will maintain our ISO14001 accreditation and continue to improve our business
sustainability.
We will actively contribute to the Forestry Safety Accord.
We embrace both a public service and
a business ethos
The majority of what we do is funded by commercial revenue.
We are exemplars of multi-purpose
and sustainable land use
We deliver a range of benefits in every landscape unit, such as recreation, biomass
production, energy generation, carbon sequestration, habitat management, health,
education and skills development.
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Value
Examples of how this is demonstrated
We work in partnership, locally and
nationally
We work closely with other statutory and non-statutory bodies, such as Scottish
Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
We work closely with industry bodies, including the Confederation of Forest
Industries (ConFor), and other land managers, such as utilities companies,
farmers and highways agencies.
We work closely with the public to ensure their enjoyment of this national resource.
We work closely with local communities to enable their involvement in using
and managing local Estate woodlands to derive social, environmental and
economic benefit.
We actively demonstrate our values of
teamwork, professionalism, respect,
communication, learning and creativity
in everything we do
We are working to improve the diversity of our workforce to reflect the population
of Scotland.
We are passionate about connecting
people with nature, wild places and
cultural heritage
We will continue to allow open access to all our land where safety allows.
We will develop and support our people to fully employ their skills, experience,
creativity and talent.
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6. Introducing Cowal
and Trossachs District
The National Forest Estate
We manage 68,300 ha of land in Cowal and Trossachs District.
A total of 40,000 ha is woodland, 27,300 ha is made up of
open space, watercourses and bogs, and 1,000 ha is farmland.
Included within the total area we manage is 5,600 ha of
plantations on ancient woodland sites, 19 Sites of Special
Scientific Interest (2,200 ha) and two scheduled ancient
monuments.
Of the 35,000 ha of conifer woodland, 25% was planted in the
1950s and 1960s, 42% in the 1970s and 1980s, and 13% in
the 1990s. These are mainly first-rotation forests, with trees
planted on former open hills. Older, pre-1950 stands account
for about 4,000 ha and are now mostly in second rotation,
although they do contain some veteran trees. Average conifer
productivity of Yield Class 14 is found across the District with
Sitka spruce the dominant species (65%). There are some
areas of poorer productivity (as low as YC 6) but these are
mainly confined to areas of planted bog and higher ground with
skeletal soils. Over the period of this plan, we aim to thin around
200 ha each year, have 770 ha of minimum intervention areas,
and manage 4,000 ha under alternative to clearfell systems.
The District also has significant areas of open land (28,000 ha),
which is mainly hill top – such as those areas of mountain
around Loch Eck and the Ardgartan Peninsula – and mostly on
long-term grazing agreements. Some mainly low-lying land at
Loch Katrine (7,000 ha) and the former agricultural land at
Rhynaclach, Wester Torrie and Shannochill (approximately 250
ha) is being grazed by cattle and sheep on long- and shortterm agreements.
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Cowal and Trossachs District1
Total area of land
managed: 68,300 ha
Woodland: 40,000 ha (59%)
Coniferous forest: 35,000 ha
Broadleaf forest2: 5,000 ha
Open space, watercourses and bog:
27,300 ha (40%)
Farmland: 1,000 ha (1%)
NOTES
1. Table not to scale
2. Includes 2,000 ha of ancient and semi-natural woodland
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Environment
There is a real variety of landforms in Cowal and Trossachs
District – from the flat, often fertile areas of the Carse of
Stirling in the east; through the scenic, forested landscapes of
the Trossachs and the rugged, mountainous areas around
Arrochar; to the milder, coastal region of South Cowal.
The climate shows a marked variation from cool and wet in
the west to warmer and drier in the east, with a rainfall range
of 1,000mm to 2,500mm per annum. This is a factor in
determining the types of tree that will grow best at any site,
while frequent severe and damage-causing wind speeds
influence the age at which upland forests should be felled.
The solid geology is overlain in most areas by glacial deposits
of mixed layers of sands, gravel and boulders. The geology of
the District has a strong influence on the fertility of soils, which
include all the major types found in Scotland (brown earth,
podzol and ironpans, gleys and peats).
The District contains ancient semi-natural woodland, lowland
raised bogs, fens, acid grassland, heathland, purple moor grass
and rush pasture. The woodlands and their associated habitats
support a fantastic range of key species, such as black grouse,
red squirrel and pearl-bordered fritillary. A major project within
the District has reintroduced water vole to the Loch Ard area.
In addition, nationally and regionally scarce lichens – along
with other key species, including wildcat, red deer, osprey, red
kite, pine marten and golden eagle – are found.
Water is a significant feature of the District, with a large
number of woodlands growing close to inland water bodies
(including Loch Lomond, Loch Katrine and Loch Eck) and sea
lochs (Loch Fyne, Loch Goil and Loch Long). The District is
covered by a number of Area Advisory Groups (AAGs),
including Forth and Clyde. These groups assist and contribute
to river basin management planning. We will work with SEPA,
AAG members and others to implement the plans, and protect
and enhance the water environment throughout the District.
Heritage
We have mapped several hundred heritage features, based on
a combination of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and
Historical Monuments of Scotland database and finds reported
during forest operations. The list is updated frequently on the
Forester GIS Heritage Module as more sites are uncovered by
survey or ongoing work. The majority of the built heritage
features relate to medieval or later rural settlements,
agriculture and mining. Prehistoric remains include standing
stones and hut circles. All heritage features are managed in
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accordance with FCS forests and archaeology guidelines. There
are two scheduled ancient monuments; the largest of which is
the former lead mines at Tyndrum. Every monument is
managed to an individual plan agreed with Historic Scotland.
Cultural
The District’s wide variety of forest and woodland, and
outstanding natural and cultural heritage, means that large
parts of it are included within the Loch Lomond and The
Trossachs National Park.
There is also a particularly long history of the use and
management of forests in Stirling and Argyll. This includes
native woodlands (such as the Rowardennan oakwoods)
historically managed under a coppice system, and some of the
earliest contemporary forest research plots, laid down at the
Kilmun Arboretum in 1930.
The population within the District boundary is low compared
with the number of visitors the area receives. The primary
towns in the District are Dunoon and Helensburgh but smaller
towns – such as Callander, Aberfoyle, and Tyndrum – are key
areas of interaction. Scotland’s Central Belt population of
about 2.4 million is, at most, 90 minutes’ drive from the District,
and people regularly make day visits from these areas.
This, and the area’s strong historic link with tourism, help
drive the ongoing delivery of public recreation within the
District. Core recreation areas for neighbouring communities
and visitors are Argyll Forest Park (formed in 1935 and the
oldest in the UK) and the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park (formed
in 1953), where the iconic B-listed visitor centre at The Lodge
in Aberfoyle recently underwent a major programme of
maintenance and refurbishment.
In 2002, the bulk of the District became part of the designated
area of Scotland’s first National Park, further reinforcing the
popularity and importance of the area for recreation and
tourism. The variety of experiences available make it suitable
to a wide range of ages and abilities, with an emphasis on
walking across a range of sites at low and high levels.
Economy
Many people living in the east of the District travel to find
employment in Stirling or Glasgow. Some work on farms and
estates across the District, many of which have diversified into
tourism and provide self-catering accommodation and B&B
alongside the existing hotel and guest house trade.
We directly employ approximately 65 full-time posts and
approximately 40 contractors, a significant number of whom
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live in the District. We have franchise agreements with Go Ape
and Café Lochan at The Lodge, and these employ a further ten
full-time and seasonal staff to manage the delivery of these
visitor-based businesses.
Five forestry apprentices are learning their trade with us, and
a mid-year forestry student is also part of the team. We
regularly provide opportunities for three or four jobless people
from Dunoon to experience and learn from a structured form
of working.
The District has one windfarm on Cowal (Cruach Mhor). We
are also exploring opportunities for a further windfarm south
of Dunoon as well as around 20 hydro schemes across the
area. One of these schemes, which is at an advanced stage
of negotiations, will be constructed by Callander Community
Hydro Limited on land leased to the community via the
National Forest Land Scheme. Other community interest in
hydro has seen enquiries from Loch Goil, Strathard, Brig o’
Turk and Strathyre/Balquhidder.
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7. District vision
We will manage and expand our woodlands and the wide range
of habitats, species and access opportunities within the Cowal
and Trossachs District. We will have an established reputation
for sustainable land management that delivers quality, value
for money public benefits. We will be recognised as leaders in
developing and managing a sustainable and productive
environment.
8. District priorities
and actions
Our overall aspiration is a National Forest Estate that is:
Healthy ...achieving good environmental and silvicultural
condition in a changing climate
Productive ...providing sustainable economic benefits from
the land
Treasured ...as a multi-purpose resource that sustains
livelihoods, improves quality of life, and offers involvement
and enjoyment
Accessible ...local woodlands and national treasures that
are well promoted, welcoming and open for all
Cared for ...working with nature and respecting
landscapes, natural and cultural heritage
Good value ...exemplary, effective and efficient delivery of
public benefits
The following sections follow these themes (first introduced in
the National Strategic Directions document) to ensure clear
linkages throughout the planning framework.
All Districts will apply an approach based on a strategic
assessment of national and regional priorities.
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Healthy
...achieving good environmental and silvicultural condition in a changing climate
Cowal and Trossachs District contains a wide range of site
types, from the coastal woodlands on the west to the woodlands
on the eastern slopes of Strathyre. This diversity of climate,
soils, topography and exposure allows a greater choice of tree
species, which will support our efforts to mitigate the impact of
climate change and provide significant opportunities to
undertake lower impact silvicultural systems (eg, on the
sheltered slopes around Loch Eck and Loch Lubnaig, and a
large area of forest lying south and west of Loch Ard).
To date, the District has not suffered significantly from tree
disease. Chalara on newly planted ash has been dealt with, and
we are aware of an outbreak of Phytophthora on larch on land
neighbouring Corlarach on Cowal. Staff at the District will
remain vigilant and our two Tree Health Champions will attend
courses and workshops as required. Meanwhile, we will
continue to increase the range of species in woodland in the
District by using Douglas fir, Norway spruce, red cedar and
native broadleaf species alongside Sitka spruce.
Large areas of forest, especially in Cowal and around Loch
Katrine and Loch Lomond, have lost lower ground vegetation
due to the ‘suffocating’ effect of the invasive Rhododendron
ponticum. We will take a lead in its removal and are investing
large amounts of time and money on its control. This and the
ongoing control of invasive species such as Japanese knotweed,
giant hogweed and others will result in the re-appearance of
appropriate ground flora in our maturing woodlands, and will
contribute to the delivery of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs
National Park’s Biodiversity Action Plan.
Grey and red squirrel are found in the east of the District.
However, Cowal and areas further west remain free of grey –
Arrochar and Ardgarten being important areas for managing its
potential spread west. We will monitor for the presence of grey
in this area and undertake control if required.
We take an active role in woodland deer management (red,
roe and sika). We attend deer management groups and
promote control based on population numbers and available
winter grazing. Throughout the District, deer numbers affect
woodland, so our District Wildlife Rangers and a team of skilled
contractors will continue to control numbers.
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We will use alternatives to clearfelling at Braeval and
Stonefield (and other woodland where the soils,
topography and exposure are, in the main, suitable) to
support the improvement of the forest habitat and the
long-term gain in biodiversity.
We are exploring how to best steward
the carbon resources locked up in the
Estate’s trees and soils
We recognise the importance of our local organic soil
resource. We will continue to actively manage the
restoration of the lowland raised bog at Flanders by
removing non-native conifers (currently 30% complete)
and managing drainage on site. Our target is to remove
80% of non-native conifers by 2017.
We will work closely with Forest Research, support them
in their work in the Queen Elizabeth Research Forest and
adopt their management techniques where required.
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Accessible
Good value
We will seek to expand our delivery of low impact
silvicultural systems (already practised close to the
shores of Loch Eck and Loch Ard) to include areas by
Loch Lubnaig and Loch Achray.
Cared for
We are committed to high quality
silviculture and, increasingly, to using
alternatives to clearfelling
Treasured
Crosscutting Themes
Productive
District Specific Action
Healthy
National Key Commitment (Healthy)
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We will help the Estate adapt to
climate change and become more
resilient to pressure
We will continue to use sound silvicultural techniques,
such as thinning, to try and minimise the impact and
spread of disease.
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We will address all outbreaks of disease by utilising best
practice techniques to manage and/or remove all
infected material.
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We will utilise the wide range of soils in the District to
explore opportunities to broaden species choice and help
mitigate the effects of climate change. This approach
has been practised at Braeval for some time and, more
recently, at Garabhan.
We will support the launch of the Adaptation
Demonstration Forest and work closely with Forest
Research to develop techniques designed to increase the
resilience of the forest in the face of a changing climate.
With neighbours, we will continue to promote the
development and implementation of Deer Management
Plans as part of the appropriate delivery of a functioning
Deer Management Group, and will provide information
about our cull target (currently 4,000 deer per year).
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Good value
Cared for
Accessible
Treasured
Crosscutting Themes
Productive
Healthy
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We will start the management of the unstable slopes of
Glen Croe, Glen Dochart, Kilmun Hill and Ptarmigan
before 2017 (as prescribed by the completed slope
stability assessments for those areas) and use the
’Coffey‘ reports to minimise adverse impacts on slopes
during forest operations.
We are committed to dealing with
invasive plants and animals that
threaten habitats and biodiversity
We will continue to carry out an extensive programme
of rhododendron removal across the District, with the
intention of removing 95% from Loch Lomond and
east to Strathyre, and 20% from the Cowal Peninsula
by 2017.
We have a key role in preventing the movement of grey
squirrel to Argyll and the west. We will continue to
monitor movement and undertake any required control
on the National Forest Estate around Arrochar.
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Accessible
Good value
We will continue to work closely with our neighbours and
other agencies to manage deer around Loch Katrine, and
undertake yearly counts to assess the population and
subsequent cull targets.
Cared for
We will help the Estate adapt to
climate change and become more
resilient to pressure (continued)
Treasured
Crosscutting Themes
Productive
Healthy
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Productive
...providing sustainable economic benefits from the land
Cowal and Trossachs District plays an important part in
providing outdoor recreation in the Loch Lomond and The
Trossachs National Park, which attracts more than two million
day visitors per year. Many of the iconic locations for tourism
within the National Park – such as Loch Lomond, The Trossachs
and Loch Katrine – are managed by us or include District
facilities. On the shores of Loch Lomond, we offer informal
camping, while several event management companies use the
forest for mountain biking, horse riding, kayaking, orienteering
and other outdoor pursuits. Significant economic benefit to the
Park and its communities is also provided by our joint-venture
partnerships with Forest Holidays and Camping in The Forest,
who provide chalet-style and camping holidays at Strathyre,
Ardgartan, East Loch Lomond and Aberfoyle.
Our planned timber production will be maintained at 235,000
tonnes/year (85% Sitka spruce) for the next three years. When
establishing new woodland and when working on selected
restocks at, for example, East Loch Lomond and Loch Ard, we
will favour the use of productive (predominantly native)
broadleaf species. In the longer term, this will reduce our
reliance on conifers at certain locations, and move to a more
mixed woodland. Our target is 40% broadleaf woodland over
the next 30-60 years.
There are few timber industries within the District boundary
but there are many timber users close by. As many are found
on forest haulage routes and approved public roads, or near
improving sea links, transport costs are relatively low. Woodfuel
and biomass is a growing part of our business, and niche
markets within the broadleaf sector are areas we will
increasingly try to develop.
Around 40% of the District is open space, some of which is
fairly poor upland heath, acid grassland or upland peat above
450 metres. However, there are large areas of ground at Loch
Katrine (600 ha), Rhynaclach (150 ha) – and some smaller
areas – that are more suitable for managed grazing by cattle
and sheep. At the margins of some of these sites, where they
meet woodland, we will explore opportunities to better
integrate farming and forestry through the development of
transitional habitats. This approach will benefit key species,
such as black grouse.
Agricultural use of the National Forest Estate is an important
aspect of District delivery; the newly purchased starter farm at
Rhynaclach is one of seven managed by FCS. We hope this
experience will lead to the better deployment of other areas
into longer term leases that support small farm enterprises.
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During 2014, in preparation for a full planning
application, we will work with our developers as they
consult with the Dunoon and surrounding communities
on a possible wind farm development at Bachan Burn.
We aim to provide at least three
million cubic metres of softwood
timber per year on a sustainable basis
We will smooth production forecasting to maintain a
minimum output of 235,000 tonnes/year for the next
three years. The majority (70%) will be spruce logs and
pallet material.
We intend to manage at least a
quarter of our expanding broadleaf
woodlands to produce quality
hardwoods and woodfuel
We will bring more broadleaf woodland into productive
management (eg, Oak Royal, Toward, Loch Eck and
Strathcashel).
Where possible, we will continue to select productive
native species when carrying out our commitment to
establish broadleaf woodland on the east shores of Loch
Lomond.
Good value
Cared for
By working with a flexible contract resource and using
adapted machinery and innovative techniques, we will
make timber that was previously inaccessible (at
Stronachlachar, Loch Katrine and Ptarmigan) available to
timber markets.
Accessible
We aim to increase the contribution of
the National Forest Estate to the
economy of Scotland and its regions,
and recognise the potential of the
Estate to assist transition to a low
carbon economy
Treasured
Crosscutting Themes
Productive
Healthy
National Key Commitment (Productive)
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We will market timber in ways that
encourage value adding and job
creation, and contribute to local
economic activity
Good value
Cared for
Accessible
Our long-term timber contracts will continue until at
least 2017 to cover approximately 80% of our log
production. This will allow merchants and their
contractors some security on planning.
We will develop the use of ‘log shops’ by 2015 to
support small scale wood processing, in line with our
improved use of the internet to attract niche marketing
opportunities.
We will use our work programmes to
promote the development of the
forestry and land management
sectors
Treasured
Crosscutting Themes
Productive
Healthy
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We are ideally placed to provide support and learning
to those eager to enter the forest industry. We will
provide guidance and direction to a mid-year student,
four apprentices (two based in Cowal) and one from
the national student development programme until
2015.
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We will continue to engage contractors on a range of
forest operations, including harvesting, restocking and
new planting, as opportunities arise.
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By 2017, we will have established a further 20 ha of
naturally regenerated native woodland through managed
grazing by the breeding herd of Highland and Whitbread/
Highland-cross cattle at Loch Katrine.
We plan to increase agricultural use of the Estate where
it is consistent with environmental objectives.
We aim to realise the Estate’s
renewable energy potential in balance
with other objectives
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Accessible
Good value
By 2017, we will have worked with the starter farm
tenant and the neighbouring community at Rhynaclach
to produce a medium- to long-term plan for the
integration of forestry and farming in the area.
Cared for
We plan to increase agricultural use
of the Estate where this is consistent
with environmental objectives
Treasured
Crosscutting Themes
Productive
Healthy
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We will work with contractors and local communities in
the north of Cowal to further develop hydro energy
schemes. Initial developments at Lochgoilhead and Loch
Eck are planned to be completed by the end of 2017.
The District will make available 25,000 tonnes of
woodfuel each year until 2017 from the bog restoration
project at Flanders Moss.
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We will build on the legacy of the Year of Natural
Scotland to provide a high-quality wildlife viewing
experience at The Lodge and the outdoor wildlife hide,
both of which have benefited from investment to
improve accessibility.
We will remain open to development opportunities with
businesses in the tourism sector, while maintaining our
existing agreements with Quadmania at Cowal and Go
Ape, and developing our relationship with Café Lochan at
The Lodge and Adgartan.
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Cared for
Accessible
We will work with the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs
National Park, VisitScotland and our partners in the
Queen Elizabeth Forest Park to maximise the benefits to
the local visitor economy from the £2.3m investment in
The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre. This will include
additional efforts in promotion and marketing to increase
footfall and visitor spend locally, and to fulfil our
ambition to deliver a quality experience at The Lodge
that is accredited as a Gold standard green tourism
business and a VisitScotland 5-star attraction.
Treasured
We will work with partners to find
new ways to harness our natural and
cultural heritage and develop the
Estate’s potential for tourism
Good value
Crosscutting Themes
Productive
Healthy
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We will support the Scottish
Government's woodland expansion
policy
We will undertake a review of how we can enhance the
contribution to the visitor economy by Argyll Forest
Park, Scotland's longest established forest park.
As a shareholder in Forest Holidays, we will work closely
with the company and local businesses to ensure guests
at The Argyll (Ardgartan) and Strathyre cabin sites enjoy
unique forest breaks within the Loch Lomond and The
Trossachs National Park, and that the local visitor
economy benefits from the additional spend which the
overnight accommodation generates.
Opportunities to purchase land for possible new planting
will continue to be assessed to determine suitability.
Appropriate consultation and planning processes will be
followed at Rhynaclach, Shannochill and Wester Torrie,
and at future sites.
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Good value
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Cared for
Accessible
We will work with partners to find
new ways to harness our natural
and cultural heritage and develop
the Estate’s potential for tourism
(continued)
Treasured
Crosscutting Themes
Productive
Healthy
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Treasured
...as a multi-purpose resource that sustains livelihoods, improves quality
of life, and offers involvement and enjoyment
Our woodlands, such as those at Achray, Loch Eck and
Strathyre, provide a magnificent backdrop to the surrounding
landscape. Waymarked routes are managed carefully to
provide safe, low-level routes and good mountain and hill
access for visitors and residents, and to ensure the views and
surrounding flora and fauna can be enjoyed by all. We
recognise that good woodland design takes into account many
elements, including their scale, location, mix of species, varied
terrain, built heritage, range of land types and use of natural
features. Therefore, these are fundamental factors in our
management of the Cowal and Trossachs District.
Within the District, many communities (eg, Callander,
Aberfoyle and Lochgoilhead) have strong connections to their
neighbouring forests, and local businesses benefit from the
woodland and the access opportunities they provide. We will
keep these communities and businesses informed about, and
involved in, their forests and will continue to develop recently
established relationships (Callander Countryside), as well as
maintaining longer standing ones (Kilmun). We will continue to
welcome new contacts and partnerships.
Through the National Forest Land Scheme (NFLS), a number
of communities have successfully applied for land in the
District. Recent purchases of Stronafian in Glendaruel, and the
Walled Garden at Ardentinny, have stimulated new, focused
enthusiasm within their communities. Callander Community
Hydro is the first community group in Scotland to use the
NFLS to lease ground on the National Forest Estate for the
development of a community hydro scheme. Work is planned
to be completed by the end of 2014.
We have a strong relationship with the Loch Lomond and The
Trossachs National Park and, through this, we have developed
volunteering opportunities on the Estate. Individuals have
learned about species such as water vole and red squirrel, and
have worked with us to survey and monitor populations. Other
volunteers have been meeting and greeting visitors at the
newly refurbished Lodge Forest Visitor Centre at Aberfoyle.
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Research is a vital part of the forestry sector, especially in the
face of predicted increases in climate change impacts, and the
very real and immediate threat from diseases such as
Phytophthora ramorum and Dothistroma needle blight. The
District will work with Forest Research to manage the Queen
Elizabeth Research Forest, which was set up in the autumn of
2013. This will underline a strengthening relationship between
the District and Forest Research, while providing them with a
working forest to carry out a wide range of real-time study.
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We want to encourage local people
to get involved in using and managing
local Estate woodlands, so we will
actively engage with local
communities and be open to work
in partnership
We will continue to provide appropriate support and
direction to communities exploring the option of
purchasing/leasing part of the Estate via the National
Forest Land Scheme. Previous successes include the
Walled Garden at Ardentinny, Stronafian at Glendaruel,
and the Stank Burn hydro scheme for Callander
Community Hydro Ltd (expected to be developed by
2016).
Good value
Cared for
Accessible

We will implement our Local Communications Strategy
and Action Plan, and follow our good practice guidance
on consultation to ensure that we effectively engage
and maintain two-way communication with our
stakeholders.
A number of communities will be looking to exercise
their options for hydroelectric generation schemes under
the provisions of the NFLS in the next three years. The
District will provide support when required for Strathard,
Brig o’ Turk, Callander, Strathyre and Lochgoil, who are
taking their possible partnership interest further. It is
hoped that at least 40% will be successful.
Treasured
Crosscutting Themes
Productive
Healthy
National Key Commitment (Treasured)
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We will continue to use the Estate as
a place for volunteering and gaining
employment skills
We are committed to creating more
uniquely special places across the
Estate and to delivering benefits to an
increasingly diverse range of
Scotland’s people
We will provide guidance and direction to a mid-year
student and five apprentices (two based in Cowal, and
one from the national student development programme),
who will work across the District.
Good value
Cared for
Accessible
Treasured
Crosscutting Themes
Productive
Healthy
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We will continue to work with Argyll & Bute Council to give
a basic introduction to working life for up to four people
from areas of nationally recognised deprivation in Dunoon.
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We will work with the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs
National Park to deploy and further develop volunteering
opportunities on the National Forest Estate. For example,
assisting visitors at The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre or
getting involved in the water vole project in Loch Ard.
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We will develop clear visions and plans to enhance those
places recognised as being uniquely special within the
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, including
The Argyll Forest Park and Queen Elizabeth Forest Park.
The principles and practice of visitor zone management
will be considered in land management plans and
operational activity (initially in high profile and high
footfall areas, such as The Lodge, Loch Ard, Puck’s Glen,
Kilmun and the Three Lochs Forest Drive).
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We will continue to work with the Loch Lomond and The
Trossachs National Park Authority to help deliver the
Park Plan by supporting the conservation of biodiversity,
tourism development and the joint visitor management
plan in key areas, such as the east side of Loch Lomond,
Loch Katrine, Loch Achray and Loch Lubnaig.
Visitor experience plans explore how we may best
interpret special places to add value to visitors’
appreciation and understanding of these locations and
their management. We will prepare a visitor experience
plan for Argyll Forest Park, as well as for any new
recreation infrastructure, or changes to our existing
recreation offer.
We recognise the value of the Estate
as a place for research and
development of best practice
The District will continue to engage with Forest Research
to reach agreement on the location and designation of
the Queen Elizabeth Research Forest, and to develop a
range of climate adaptation demonstration sites.
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Good value
Cared for
As a key partner in the Ben Lomond Memorial
Landscape, we will support any World War One
centenary commemoration events.
Accessible
We are committed to creating more
uniquely special places across the
Estate and to delivering benefits to an
increasingly diverse range of
Scotland’s people (continued)
Treasured
Crosscutting Themes
Productive
Healthy
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Accessible
...local woodlands and national treasures that are well promoted,
welcoming and open for all
The Argyll Forest Park and Queen Elizabeth Forest Park
welcome local and Central Belt day visitors, as well seasonal
tourist to Scotland. Visitors are attracted in part by the
National Park designation, and also by iconic locations, such
as Loch Lomond.
The mountains of Ben Ledi, The Cobbler and Ben Venue are
key visitor destinations, and Cowal and Trossachs District will
continue to facilitate access to these and others through the
forest. In addition to a number of hill paths, we also maintain a
broad range of alternative low-level routes, such as at Loch Eck
and Loch Ard, which encourage foot, horse and bike access for
a wide group of people and families. We will strive to maintain
access to rights of way and core paths during forestry
operations, and we will continue to work closely with local
authority access officers and access forums to find practical
solutions to maintaining public access or, where health and
safety concerns prohibit this, provide alternative routes.
The less able can enjoy the forest thanks to the Three Lochs
Forest Drive at Aberfoyle, one of only three such drives in
Scotland. We manage the woodland surrounding the route as a
visitor zone focused on promoting the enjoyment of the forest,
and this has contributed to its popularity and success.
We manage the newly refurbished Lodge Forest Visitor Centre,
one of Forestry Commission Scotland’s seven visitor centres
throughout Scotland. The Lodge offers a broad range of
activities for our customers, including the Go Ape high wire
adventure, wildlife viewing by CCTV or from a hide,
opportunities for natural play, and a range of waymarked trails
as well as an all-ability trail. The design and interpretation at
The Lodge invites visitors into the forest and encourages return
visits to the attractions within the wider Queen Elizabeth Forest
Park, where the managed woodlands provide an abundance of
opportunities to enjoy beautiful landscape-scale scenery.
Staff and volunteers also provide managed public events to
encourage access, learning and enjoyment throughout the
District. They also work with schools and other user groups to
encourage access and outdoor learning.
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We will continue to invest available
resources into high quality facilities
that encourage and help visitors
experience and enjoy the outdoor
environment
With advice from partners including the Fieldfare Trust,
we will seek to make improvements to accessible
facilities that meet the needs of a diverse spectrum of
visitors. We will promote our improved all-ability access
opportunities at The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre, the
Three Lochs Forest Drive and other sites in the District.
In accordance with priorities informed by visitor surveys,
we will continue to review our facilities to ensure they
deliver a safe, high-quality product at key locations to
meet the needs of local people and visitors.
Building on our investment to improve the West
Highland Way, we will work with Access Forums and the
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority
(the local access authority) to improve safe and
responsible access and provide priority facilities. This will
include a joint hill path access improvement project to
include Ben Ledi, Ben Venue and Ben A’an.
Our staff will be responsive to visitor needs, will learn and
develop their customer focus and facility management
skills, and will continue to improve our marketing
(including online information and promotional work).
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Good value
Cared for
Accessible
Treasured
Crosscutting Themes
Productive
Healthy
National Key Commitment (Accessible)
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We will continue to encourage use of
the Estate for health benefits and
outdoor learning
Our staff will continue to attend, when appropriate,
Forest Education Initiative cluster meetings and will
work with the RSPB to develop an outreach programme
for school groups.
Through our Woods in and Around
Towns (WIAT) programme, we aim to
provide more opportunities for more
of Scotland’s people to enjoy highquality countryside, and find health,
education, skills and community
involvement benefits
We will work with local communities and other partners
to further improve facilities and access at the WIAT
woods at Dunoon.
Good value
Cared for
Accessible

We will explore options for funding to convert the Lodge
House to support educational and outreach opportunities.
We will continue to make the National Forest Estate
available for a wide range of events and activities, from
competitive sports and leisure activities to learning
opportunities (including Bat Watch, Moth Watch, Deer
Rut and Nature Club). We will continue to improve our
permission system and reduce the risk of potential
conflicts between different users.
Treasured
Crosscutting Themes
Productive
Healthy
National Key Commitment (Accessible)
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Cared for
...working with nature and respecting landscapes, natural and cultural heritage
The terrain in Cowal and Trossachs District varies from the
mainly fertile areas of the Carse of Stirling to poorer, upland
mountainous areas. Within this range, we manage a range of
habitat types, such as woodlands, farmland and open upland.
The majority of the woodland (35,000 ha) is coniferous, with
approximately 5,000 ha of broadleaf cover (40% of which is
of ancient and semi-natural woodland). Opportunities for
restoring plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS) have
been identified and we will continue to convert them. The
District is also a demonstration site for productive broadleaf
trees, and we will develop this resource where suitable
conditions allow. We aim to have 40% of the District as
broadleaf woodland over the next 30-60 years.
There is a small number of existing juniper plantations in the
District – the pathogen Phytophthora austrocedrae having
had no impact so far. We will continue to source clean material
to establish new stands of juniper where suitable sites are
identified, such as Katrine, where new material will be planted
in 2015. We are helping protect and enhance existing areas
by removing competing vegetation, managing grazing levels,
and surveying and monitoring for disease (which, if found, will
be removed).
We will ensure that historic environment features are identified
within our work plans and that damage is avoided during
forestry operations. We will also ensure that relevant
designated historic assets (and any significant undesignated
historic assets found) are included within our Forest Design
Plans and Land Management Plans, and are actively managed
within a programme of detailed archaeological recording and
conservation management.
Cowal and Trossachs is one of four Districts carrying out
priority restoration of lowland raised bogs. Over the past three
years, Flanders Moss, one of the biggest and nationally
important of such sites, has had 30% of its non-native trees
removed. It is planned to remove them all by 2030.
Almost half the District is open hill land with a range of upland
habitats – we will continue to carry out surveys to establish
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their location, area and condition. At sites such as Loch
Katrine, we will also carefully manage herbivores to reduce
their impact on those vulnerable habitats. Open land is home
to black grouse, a key species on the National Forest Estate.
We have been monitoring existing populations and are looking
for opportunities to improve the associated habitats. We are
also maintaining and enhancing suitable habitats for red
squirrel (another key, but threatened, species) and are
providing suitable conditions for many more, including
ospreys, eagles, water voles, buzzards and owls.
The wide range of species being monitored presents us with
opportunities to promote a better understanding among the
public, and helps us encourage volunteering in the natural
environment. For example, volunteers are helping survey for
water vole and black grouse.
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We are restoring around 85% of
areas on ancient woodland sites to
largely native species – the remaining
areas will be enhanced through our
management
We will continue to enhance and restore our ancient
woodland remnants. A planned clearfell programme
(eg, at Strathlachlan, Cormonachan, Benmore and East
Loch Lomond) will help achieve our 2017 target of
approximately 30% restoration.
By 2015, we will have undertaken a review of progress
on the programme to enhance and restore the ancient
woodland remnants, to ensure our long-term target of
60% conversion can be achieved.
We will ensure that all internal guidance on the
management of semi-natural woodland is adopted, and
that the remnant woodlands in the District (such as
Drumore, Katrine and East Loch Lomond) are cared for
through ongoing maintenance and protection.
We aim to increase broadleaf tree
cover from the current 8% of
woodland cover to around 20%
We will review all relevant data by 2017 to ensure that
all opportunities to expand broadleaf cover are known
and inform the planning process – not just for the shortterm but towards our long-term target of 40% cover.
Good value
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Cared for
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Accessible
Treasured
Crosscutting Themes
Productive
Healthy
National Key Commitment (Cared for)
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We aim to increase broadleaf tree
cover from the current 8% of
woodland cover to around 20%
(continued)
The planning, development and management of Forest
Habitat Networks (for example, in Loch Ard Forest) will
utilise survey information to ensure that remnant
woodlands and other habitats are a component of the
network, therefore securing expansion where possible.
We are committed to maintaining the
best open habitats in good ecological
condition
We plan to undertake surveys on open habitats at
Glenfinnart, Cruach Benmore, Kirkton and Beinn Bhan.
Other areas will follow as we move to complete surveys
for all sites in the longer term.
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We will continue our lowland raised bog restoration
work at Flanders Moss to benefit biodiversity, carbon
sequestration and other ecosystem services.
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We will operate to the Strategic Guide for Conservation
Management of Open Priority Habitats on the National
Forest Estate when developing plans for sites, such as
Rhynaclach, Wester Torrie and Shannochill.
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Good value
Cared for
Accessible
Treasured
Crosscutting Themes
Productive
Healthy
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We will ensure that all our Land Management Plans take
into consideration the requirements of the Water
Framework Directive.
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We will safeguard archaeological
sites through our planning and
management, and recognise special
places and features with local cultural
meaning
We will continue to update the Forester GIS Heritage
Module with new discoveries and will commission
archaeological survey where necessary.
Good value

We will continue to manage habitat for the benefit of red
squirrel around Loch Ard and at the Glenbranter
stronghold, in conjunction with a planned increase in the
planting of small-seeded trees in areas such as Glen Croe.
We will carry out follow-up management of the small
areas of juniper found within the District and extend
juniper’s presence. This work will include fence
maintenance and controlled grazing by cattle at
Bochastle and Kirkton, with follow-up maintenance
work completed on areas planted in Katrine.
Cared for
We will manage and support the continued expansion of
black grouse habitats around Katrine. Yearly counts for
black grouse here and at other locations across the
District (eg, Ardgartan and Glendaruel) will help inform
our future activity.
Accessible
We will identify particularly
vulnerable species for which the
National Forest Estate is important
and take specific conservation action
Treasured
Crosscutting Themes
Productive
Healthy
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We will safeguard archaeological
sites through our planning and
management, and recognise special
places and features with local cultural
meaning (continued)
We will ensure that our significant designated historic
assets are managed according to Monument
Management Plans, consulted with Local Authority
archaeologist, and agreed with Historic Scotland.
Good value
Cared for
Accessible
Treasured
Crosscutting Themes
Productive
Healthy

Management plans for the two sites at Corlarach and
Tyndrum are in place, with an extensive survey
completed for the lead mine at Tyndrum.
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We will promote walking and cycling on the route of the
18th century military road alongside Loch Arklet.
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At Tyndrum lead mine, work on stabilising the site and
managing the tailings dam has been completed.
Management of tree and vegetation regeneration at
Corlarach is undertaken when required.
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Good value
...exemplary, effective and efficient delivery of public benefits
Cowal and Trossachs District has one windfarm, which has
been generating power since 2004. Further work is being
carried out to determine the wind power generation potential
of other sites in the District. All of these would be on the Cowal
Peninsula, where the Forestry Commission Scotland developer
would work within any constraints highlighted in any relevant
local authority policy statements.
We have recently undertaken some construction projects
and refurbishment work that have improved the insulation in
our buildings, made better use of space and seen a move to
biomass heating. Work has been carried out on buildings at
The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre, our District office at Aberfoyle
and Rhynaclach Farmhouse. We will assess other buildings at
these locations for similar work over the next three years.
Hydro is increasingly being developed, and there is one small
neighbouring private scheme operating in Strathyre. Two
further neighbouring schemes are close to development in
Cowal, a community scheme is at the final stages of agreement
at Callander, and a power company is close to starting a
development in Glen Dochart. We are working alongside the
FCS developer to assess ten sites around North Cowal, for
construction over the next five years. All wind and hydro
projects will also undergo consultation with key stakeholders
at an interim stage of the full planning process.
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We will seek a diverse range of
income sources to underpin the cost
of managing the Estate, and we will
continually look for ways to achieve
best value in delivery of public
benefits
We will endeavour to maximise income from hydro, with
an expectation that approximately ten schemes will be
operational by 2017 in locations that include Benmore at
Glen Dochart, Donich and Cormonachan by Lochgoil,
Strathyre and Glenbranter.
A developer working with Cowal and Trossachs District
will undertake the start of the consultation process on
the possibility of a further wind farm development in the
Cowal area.
Our wildlife team, in conjunction with appropriately
certificated contractors and lease holders, will continue
to cull deer to try and balance population with an
acceptable level of damage to our woodland and
associated habitats.
We will continue to charge for car parking at appropriate
sites, such as The Lodge at Aberfoyle, Three Lochs
Forest Drive and Ben A’an. The charges will be levied in
a way that is considered commensurate with short and
longer stays, and the proceeds will be recycled into the
upkeep of facilities and services.
Good value
Cared for
Accessible
Treasured
Crosscutting Themes
Productive
Healthy
National Key Commitment (Good value)
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We will seek a diverse range of
income sources to underpin the cost
of managing the Estate, and we will
continually look for ways to achieve
best value in delivery of public
benefits (continued)
We will develop business relationships with recreation
and tourism related businesses, following fair and open
tenders, in areas such as retail, catering, adventure
activities and accommodation.
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Acceptable, small scale, development opportunities
throughout the Estate will always be considered (eg,
telephone and TV communication masts).

The objectives for many of our projects are often
compatible with other environmental groups, agencies,
government and European funders and business criteria.
All opportunities to secure external funding will be
explored.
We will make progressive reductions
in the emissions from our Estate
management activities
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We will take appropriate opportunities to reduce the size
and number of our vehicles, while ensuring there is still
a range of vehicles available to carry out the tasks
required, such as towing, carrying materials and
firearms, and covering rough terrain.
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Our staff will take steps to reduce mileage by sharing
transport, managing travel and reducing towing and
carrying.
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A review of all our buildings will be undertaken during
2014 and 2015.
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9. Consulting and engaging
with stakeholders
When it comes to developing and implementing new plans,
strategies or policies, Forest Enterprise Scotland attaches
great importance to consulting and engaging with customers
and stakeholders. We aim to achieve that involvement at an
early stage, and use the information and consultation process
as a way of broadening the range of those who are engaged.
Our aim is to ensure that the engagement is thorough,
effective, transparent and appropriate to the target audience.
Key commitments
Share a clear and agreed purpose with all parties
Ensure that fairness, equality and inclusion underpins all
aspects of engagement, and is reflected both in engagement
policies and the way that everyone participates
Provide accurate and timely information
Exercise skill to build relationships, ensure practise of
equalities principles, share ownership of the agenda, and
enable all viewpoints to be reflected
Improve the quality of engagement by learning from
experience
Give participants the opportunity to build on their
knowledge and skills
Conform to statutory legislation
These commitments highlight the importance of equality and
of recognising the diversity of people and organisations. They
offer a clear sense of purpose for achieving change; one that
builds on the skills and knowledge of all those involved, and
puts emphasis on continuous improvement.
Engagement by the District on plans and programmes
conforms to the FES Engagement Strategy, which in turn
follows the Scottish Government Consultation Good Practice
Guidance. The table on page 50 details our engagement
strategy.
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District engagement and stakeholders
Although approximately 75% of Scotland’s population lives
within a 90-minute drive of Cowal and Trossachs District,
there is not a particularly high population level within its
boundary. The majority of that population (65%) is found in
the towns of Dunoon (13,000), Helensburgh (14,000), and
Balloch (2,000). Only those living in Dunoon are close to
National Forest Estate woodland – Balloch and Helensburgh
being a minimum of five miles away.
A number of smaller towns across the District are more
intimately connected to their local woodland – neighbours,
community representatives and residents are in more regular
contact with the District concerning individual, local and
national issues. The communities of Callander, Aberfoyle,
Gartocharn, Crianlarich, Tyndrum, Lochgoilhead, Strachur
and Kilmun are good examples of this.
Five planning authorities (Loch Lomond and The Trossachs
National Park, Stirling Council, Argyll & Bute Council, Perth &
Kinross Council and West Dunbartonshire Council) have some
jurisdiction across the area and, therefore, census data is
fragmented and difficult to interpret. However, it is recognised
that outwith the main towns, the population is an ageing one
with a very low representation of ethnic groups.
At The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre, we interact with our
widest group of people, involving all ages and to a minor
extent, ethnic groups. At this location, we make every effort
to provide a range of opportunities that promote the
enjoyment of woodland access for all.
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Who we engage with
Types of activity
District Strategic
Plans
National
Local
FCS Conservancy, timber trade,
local authorities, Loch Lomond
and The Trossachs National Park,
statutory and non-statutory
consultees
Neighbours, businesses,
residents, Council members,
Community Councils
Land Management
Plans (including
Forest Design Plans)
FCS Conservancy, timber trade,
local authorities, Loch Lomond
and The Trossachs National Park,
statutory and non-statutory
consultees
residents, Council members,
Community Councils
Renewable energy
projects – wind and
hydro
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs
National Park, FCS Conservancy,
local authorities, statutory and
non-statutory consultees
Neighbours, Community
Councils and community groups
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs
National Park, FCS Conservancy,
local authorities, statutory and
non-statutory consultees
Residents, Council members,
Community Councils
Development Plans
Forestry Commission Scotland,
Statutory and non-statutory
consultees (eg, timber trade,
SNH, SEPA, RSPB)
Regional
Ministers, statutory and nonstatutory consultees (eg, timber
trade, SNH, SEPA, RSPB)
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Types of activity
National
Work plans
Repositioning
programmes
Recreation events
Ministers, FCS, SGRPID
Regional
Local
Utility companies, access officers,
local authorities, highways
agencies
Neighbours, businesses, utility
companies
FCS, SGRPID, local authorities
Neighbours, Community
Councils
Access officers, local authorities,
highways agencies, neighbours
Access officers, local authorities,
highways agencies, neighbours
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10. Delivery & Monitoring
Context
A rolling annual business plan identifies and measures the
physical and financial resources required to deliver the Cowal
and Trossachs District component of the National Strategic
Directions.
The business plan is developed using data from detailed work
plans, which are prepared for all significant programmes
approximately two years before work commences. Work plans
are driven by Land Management Plans and, ultimately, by the
District Strategic Plan.
Following approval of the business plan, local managers
organise the agreed programmes and report quarterly against
timescales, resources and quality standards. This monitoring is
integral to sustainable forest management and is wide ranging;
reflecting formal performance monitoring, such as the UK
Forest Standard, and informal monitoring, which deals with
day-to-day detailed management activity.
Before finally agreeing on the way forward, a key component
of any strategic planning is to establish the current position.
This is achieved by reviewing past performance against the
indicators outlined in the previous Cowal and Trossachs Forest
District Strategic Plan 2009-2013.
Monitoring for the 2009-2013 District
Strategic Plan
The 2009-2013 plan contained seven themes from the Scottish
Forestry Strategy: Climate Change, Timber, Business
Development, Community Development, Access & Health,
Environmental Quality and Biodiversity. In the plan, we
outlined how we would contribute to the targets for each of the
seven themes. Progress is shown separately in Appendix 1,
which reports completion of the targets (new, yes, no or
partial) and includes appropriate comments on achievements
(or mitigation where the target has not been fully met).
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Monitoring for the 2014-2017 District
Strategic Plan
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Monitoring
The 2014-2017 District Strategic Plan will be routinely
monitored to ensure that progress can be tracked against
national and local aspirations. Monitoring will focus on specific
District Priority Commitments, which are outlined in the
thematic tables containing ‘District Actions’ and have been
determined by each District’s ability to deliver against the six
aspirations of the National Strategic Directions document.
These aspirations or ‘national priorities’ are: Healthy,
Productive, Treasured, Accessible, Cared for, and Good value.
All ten District Strategic Plans will be subject to assessment
and consultation through established Strategic Environmental
Assessment procedures. The outcomes will be used to create a
suite of indicators under the six national priorities. The
reporting strategy will be owned at national level but will reflect
local trends and District issues derived from the relevant
District Priority Commitments. The relevant indicators will be
reviewed at the same time as the National Strategic Directions
and the District Strategic Plans.
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Glossary
AAGs
CCF
ConFor
DSP
EQIA
FCS
FES
FSC
GIS
KPI
NSA
NSD
PAWS
Area Advisory Groups
Continuous Cover Forestry
Confederation of Forest Industries
District Strategic Plans
Equality Impact Assessment
Forestry Commission Scotland
Forest Enterprise Scotland
Forest Stewardship Council
Geographic Information Systems
Key Performance Indicator
National Scenic Areas
National Strategic Directions
Planted Ancient Woodland Sites
PEFC
RSPB
SAC
SEA
SEPA
SGRPID
SNH
SSSI
STTF
UKFPA
WIAT
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest
Certification
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Special Areas of Conservation
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Scottish Government Rural Payments and
Inspections Directorate
Scottish Natural Heritage
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Strategic Timber Transport Fund
United Kingdom Forest Products Association
Woods in and Around Towns
Forestry Commission Scotland serves as part of the Scottish
Government's Environment and Forestry Directorate and is
responsible to Scottish Ministers. Forest Enterprise Scotland is
the agency of Forestry Commission Scotland charged with
managing the National Forest Estate.
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Contact
Aberfoyle,
Stirling
FK8 3UX
Tel: 01877 382383
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland
If you need this publication in an alternative format (for example,
in large print or in another language), please contact:
The Diversity Team
Silvan House
231 Corstorphine Road
Edinburgh
EH12 7AT
Tel: 0131 314 6575
E-mail: [email protected]
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55

Cowal and Trossachs District - Forestry Commission Scotland

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