The Dumfries & Galloway Tree Planting Grant Scheme is now open for applications
PRESS RELEASE FROM DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY WOODLANDS
Supporting native tree planting across the region with grants of up to £1,000, scheme recipients last year varied from farmers and landowners through to community groups and schools, all of whom benefitted from the flexible and easy scheme to make their small scale tree planting ambitions come true.
The planting of native trees in Dumfries & Galloway delivers a wide variety of benefits, from biodiversity and habitat provision, through to landscape benefits and carbon capture.
The Dumfries & Galloway Tree Planting Grant Scheme replaces the South of Scotland Tree Planting Grant Scheme that operated across the region last year. Last year we planted more than 9,100 trees through 93 awards from Langholm to Drummore. Tree species planted varied from Alder to Yew!
The scheme has been revised this year to stand alone as a Dumfries & Galloway Scheme, while still working in partnership with equivalent schemes in the Borders and South & East Ayrshire. The scheme is overseen by Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, a new not-for-profit membership organisation seeking to support trees, habitats and the people that depend upon them in the region. The Scheme is funded thanks to support from Scottish Forestry, Woodland Trust Scotland, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Dumfries & Galloway Council.
If you would like more information about the scheme or to kick off an application, please visit the Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands website here: https://dgwoodlands.org.uk/dumfries-and-galloway-tree-planting-grant-scheme/ or contact Phil Dowling on phil.dowling@dgwoodlands.org or 07301 052793.
At the launch of the scheme Doug Howieson, Scottish Forestry’s Conservator for South Scotland, said:
“Growing more trees in Dumfries and Galloway is very important because it provides so many benefits, ranging from tackling climate change to restoring nature, whilst also enhancing the places we live and work in.
Scottish Forestry is delighted to support this initiative which will help boost tree planting across the region in a large variety of locations. Everyone loves planting trees and this project ranges from a single tree up to a quarter of a hectare in size. It’s a great opportunity for schools and community groups to plant trees and do something wonderful for the environment.”
Iain Moss from Woodland Trust Scotland added:
“We currently face a climate emergency and a nature crisis. One of the simplest and most effective ways to respond to both these challenges is to plant more native trees. Woodland Trust Scotland is delighted to support this scheme which helps local farmers and land managers do just that.”
The lead officer for the scheme this year in the region is Phil Dowling, Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands’ new Woodland ACTION officer. Phil said:
“Woodlands are a core part of the identity of Dumfries and Galloway but we’re currently losing trees to age and disease, we need to be planting more.
The Dumfries & Galloway Tree Planting Grant Scheme is a fantastic opportunity for landowners and communities to grow small areas of trees for both local benefit and for the collective benefit of the whole D&G landscape. The grant helps with not only the cost of the trees themselves but also tree guards and fencing. The D&G Woodlands team will also be on hand to provide advice when needed. Amazing! Apply for a Dumfries & Galloway Tree Planting Grant now.”
Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands is a new initiative seeking to support trees, habitats and the people that depend upon them across the region. Partners include Borders Forest Trust, Woodland Trust Scotland, Dumfries & Galloway Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
For more information about Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, follow the Facebook or Twitter pages, visit the website www.dgwoodlands.org.uk or sign up for the newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/iAlL6k.
Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands is registered in Scotland as a SCIO, number 052525.