Scotland’s urban woodlands have been given a £7.5m boost from the Scottish Executive.
A new £3.5m four-year Woods In & Around Towns Challenge Fund will help bring back life to urban fringe woodlands throughout the country, while a £4m locational premium will pay for planting new woods in the Central Scotland Forest area between Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Both funds will be administered by Forestry Commission Scotland and are available as top-ups to standard grants from the Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme.
Forestry minister Allan Wilson said: “Both these funds will work to improve the lives of many people living in towns and villages. Having better access to a greater number of vibrant woodlands will have big benefits in terms of community spirit, economic development and, of course, health and well-being.”
