Scottish Woodlands oversees landmark natural capital project
20 March 2024Scottish Woodlands Ltd, Par Equity, the Scottish-based forestry investment fund manager, Aviva Investors, the global asset management business of Aviva plc, have announced that the first phase of peatland restoration has been completed in an ambitious natural capital scheme in the north-east of Scotland.
The Glen Dye Moor Project in Aberdeenshire plans to deliver a significant woodland creation and peatland restoration scheme that aims to capture over 1.4 million tonnes of carbon.
The first phase of restoration work comprising approximately 172ha of degraded peat has been completed and further phases will be undertaken to achieve the scheme’s stated aim of restoring approximately 1,800ha of degraded peat.
Scottish Woodlands, one of the UK’s leading forestry management organisations, is overseeing the delivery of the Glen Dye Moor project. It is expected to make a substantial contribution to both Scottish and UK forestry planting targets. Applications are being made to undertake extensive peatland restoration work across approximately 1,800ha and new tree planting over approximately 3,000ha, including up to 1,000ha of productive conifer and 2,000ha of native woodland.
“This is an exciting milestone to pass in the journey to make Glen Dye Moor a beacon of excellence in terms of natural capital,” said Neil Crookston, regional director, Scottish Woodlands. “We have a long way to go but it is very heartening to see progress on peatland restoration happening at this early stage.
“The scheme has had tremendous support – we have a very constructive relationship with partners such as NatureScot and we look forward to making real strides in getting tree planting proposals approved as soon as possible, another key pillar in our strategy.”
