The 2015 Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards has opened for entries, and will once again this year recognize and reward those who use, promote, own or manage Scotland’s woods and forests to deliver economic, environmental and social benefits.
There are four categories of awards in this year’s competition:
The Schools Award is open to secondary, primary, pre-school and special schools anywhere in Scotland that have been involved in any projects involved with trees, woodlands or forestry. Prize: £500 for the winner and £250 for the runner-up.
The Community Woodlands Award is for community-based woodland related projects from any part of Scotland and features two separate competitions – one for projects with a ‘health and wellbeing’ focus and a second for those focusing on promoting ‘viable livelihoods with an economic development and regeneration’ focus. Prize: Tim Stead Trophy and £2,000.
The New Native Woods Award is for new native woodland projects. Prize: Woodland Trust Scotland Trophy and £1,000.
The Quality Timber Awards focuses on growing quality timber and has three competitions; newly-planted commercial woods, single-stands or compartment or small woods, and whole estates/large multi-purpose forests . Prizes: Three trophies and £3,000.
New Executive Director for SFWA
Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards started the year with a new Executive Director, who will oversee this year’s programme. Angela Douglas FICFor was appointed in December, taking over from Peter Wilson FICFor, who stepped aside to fulfil other work commitments. Angela is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters and brings with her a wealth of directorial experience, having previously served as Scotland Director of the Woodland Trust for over a decade. On her appointment she said:
“I am delighted to be given this fantastic chance to recognize the very best of Scotland’s woods; their management; and all they can offer. It is great that the highest standards of silviculture to grow quality timber, new native woodland creation, community activities and schools’ projects have a way to compete and gain recognition for being the very best. With the applications’ round for 2015 just having opened I encourage anyone with an interest to get in touch.”
For full information on how to enter, visit the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards website.
