AHEAD of Scotland’s Climate Week, taking place from 25 September to 1 October, pioneering reforestation firm, The Future Forest Company, welcomed Councillor Jim Thomson and Alyn Smith MP to its award-winning site located at Dumyat, near Stirling, in an effort to unite stakeholders, partners, supporters, and key influencers in the battle against climate change.
The landscape scale project is estimated to sequester over 80,000 tonnes of carbon over the next one hundred years, an important contribution to the mitigation of climate change.
Showcasing the benefits the project is bringing to the local community and environment, Jamie Adcock, Senior Forest Manager at The Future Forest Company, briefed the guests on the company’s approach to land management, offering insight into the biodiversity activity being undertaken, the progress that has been made since work began earlier this year, and future plans for the site.
The visitors saw first-hand the range of biodiversity projects that are currently underway at Dumyat, including the sites transformation from an ecologically degraded grassland into wildflower meadows and the creation of new wetland to provide habitat for wetland flowers, insects, and birds.
With over 340k trees made up of 18 species being planted across 184 hectares at the iconic site, the contribution the woodlands project is making to the people of Stirling, and its environment and economic prosperity was celebrated by the guests.
Alyn Smith MP said: “I was delighted to meet with the team and find out more about their exciting work on the landscapes we all know and love here in Stirling. We’re blessed across Stirling and the Forth Valley area with an abundance of green spaces and ready access to nature, and as the current stewards of our natural heritage we could be doing more to enhance it.
“Restoring native woodland is a sensible way to help tackle climate change, repair damaged ecological systems and, with the right management and engagement, can become a cultural asset in its own right. I very much look forward to seeing this important work progress, and wish The Future Forest Company team the very best in their worthwhile endeavour.”
Councillor Jim Thomson added: “I was delighted to have been given the opportunity to tour the historic Dumyat hillside to see the tree planting and wider biodiversity work undertaken by the Future Forest Company.
“The fact that a company is willing to invest in our future and also restore our natural environment is hugely encouraging. Planting indigenous trees and opening up the landscape for all to enjoy must be applauded.
“It’s on our doorstep, I’d encourage others to go see for themselves what can be achieved with forethought and imagination.”
The visit follows The Future Forest Company’s recent award win at Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards, recognising its efforts to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, restore biodiversity, and fight climate change, through the delivery of its reforestation project at Dumyat, Stirlingshire and another in Brodoclea, North Ayrshire.
Full details on the work of the Future Forest Company at Dumyat is available to view online at thefutureforestcompany.com/our-forests/
