Event Details

We are holding a Shared Forester development workshop on 7 November 2017 in Lochgilphead to discuss the findings of a survey recently conducted (see below for details and link) and to examine other models from across the UK and Europe to develop this exciting new Shared Forester project which will support farmers, crofters, woodland owners, managers and contractors.

The workshop is free of charge.  If you are interested in attending, please email Erica at erica.spencer@ruraldevelopment.org.uk.

Argyll has a rich woodland heritage and a very active forestry sector.  The nature of the forestry industry primarily focused on large scale coniferous sites and less on small scale woodlands and integrated farming and forestry.

The Argyll Small Woods Cooperative is in business to support small woodland management and has embarked on an exciting project, which has the overall objective of encouraging and enhancing the active management of small woods in Argyll, including farm woodlands.

Farmers and small woodland owners often do not have the need, or for that matter the finances, to employ a forester to manage woodland management operations.  There is however potential for a Shared Forester; the sharing of forestry expertise that will introduce innovative management techniques and ideas, promote networking, and introduce sustainable models for longer term support for small woodland owners, farmers and crofters.

Before we can embark on funding applications to support a Shared Forester, we needed to gather information on the small woods resource in Argyll.

Over recent months we have been carrying out a survey of farmers, crofters, small woodland owners and woodland contractors which will establish the nature of the woodland resource, understand the motivations and aspirations of woodland owners and contractors, as well as identify the “market” for the environmental and social “woodland services” that can be developed and the economic benefits that might be expected.

If you haven’t already completed the survey, you can access the questionnaire through this link – https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CWQC7FM.  This survey should take no more than 10 to 15 minutes and, on completion of the survey, you will be entered into a Prize Draw to win a voucher worth £50 at a retailer of your choice.  If you wish to be included, please provide your contact details in the final question of the survey.  The Argyll Small Woods Cooperative, or any of its contractors or partners, will not pass your contact details onto third parties and will only use your details for the purposes of this project, and to keep you informed of related projects and services on offer.

This survey has been developed by the Argyll Small Woods Cooperative in partnership with NFUS, RDI Associates Ltd and Acres.