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District Strategic Plan

Moray & Aberdeenshire District

2014-2017

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1. Foreword 4

2. About this plan 6

3. Connecting with Scottish Government national priorities 6

4. Connecting our plans with what we do on the ground 7

5. Values and Principles 8

7. District Vision 13

8. District Priorities and Actions 13

9. Consultation (or Engagement) with Stakeholders 43

10. Delivery and Monitoring Section 47

Appendix 1 49

Glossary 62

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1. Foreword

The main role of Forest Enterprise Scotland is to manage Scotland’s National Forest Estate. It is a privilege. We are excited about the potential to make more of this asset that occupies 9% of Scotland’s land area. We remain committed to our forest management and timber production roots. But we are also showing that with clear strategic thinking, good spatial planning and a broadening range of skills and expertise, the Estate can offer much more besides. In the parlance of ecosystem services, we are growing the supporting, provisioning, regulating and cultural services 5 provided both from the Estate’s woodlands and its diverse open land area.

We are conscious that the Estate is a public asset. Ours is a stewardship role. We continue to explore how best to discharge this responsibility in 21st century Scotland, working with communities and partners to develop the Estate to deliver against current local and national priorities, whilst also ensuring that we manage the Estate sustainably and improve it for the next generation. This document lays out the next chapter of the Estate’s story, that now spans nearly 100 years. 10

Simon Hodge

Chief Executive of Forest Enterprise Scotland

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Ro-ràdh

Is e prìomh dhleastanas Iomairt Choilltean na h-Alba a bhith an urra ri Oighreachd Coille Nàiseanta na h-Alba, agus tha seo na urram dhuinn. Tha 15 sinn a’ faighinn brosnachadh mòr às na cothroman an lùib seo; stòras mòr chraobhan a tha a’ còmhdachadh còrr is 9% de dh’Alba. Tha sinn gu mòr airson is gum bi sinn dìleas, dìcheallach a thaobh ar n-obrach a’ manaidseadh nan coilltean agus a’ pròiseasadh an fhiodha. Tha sinn a’ sealltainn, ge-tà, gun gabh mòran a dhèanamh a bharrachd air seo – tro shiostam-planaidh soilleir, ro-innleachdail - le leudachadh ga dhèanamh air sgilean is teòmachd na buidhne. Ann am briathran nan seirbheisean eag-shiostaim, tha sinn a’ toirt leasachadh air ar taic, goireasachadh, riaghladh agus ar seirbheisean cultarail; seirbheisean air an toirt seachad bhon dà chuid fearann coillteach na h-Oighreachd agus tron 20 fharsaingeachd sgìrean de dh’fhearann fosgailte.

Tha sinn mothachail gu bheil an Oighreachd na so-mhaoin phoblach agus tha sinn gu mòr an sàs ann an obair ghlèidhidh. Nì sinn tuilleadh obrach a chum nan dòighean as èifeachdaiche air an dleastanas seo a choileanadh san 21mh linn; ag obair le coimhearsnachdan agus le compàirtean gus an Oighreachd a leasachadh a chum na prìomhachasan ionadail agus nàiseanta a thoirt gu buil. Nì sinn cinnteach, aig an aon àm, gum bi an Oighreachd air a ruith ann an dòigh sheasmhach agus gun tèid a leasachadh airson an ath-ghinealaich. Tha am foillseachadh seo a’ toirt cunntas 25 air an ath-chaibideil ann am beatha na h-Oighreachd, beatha a tha a’ dol air ais an ìre mhath 100 bliadhna.

Sìm Hodge

Ceannard Iomairt Choilltean na h-Alba

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2. About this plan 30

This document describes the role and strategic directions for Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District in managing approximately a tenth of Scotland’s National Forest Estate (NFE) over the next three years. It replaces the Forest District Strategic Plan 2009-2013.

Forest Enterprise Scotland (FES), which is an agency of Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS), manages the Estate on behalf of Scottish Ministers. Information on FES, its governance, corporate goals, targets and performance measures can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk, in the FES National Strategic Directions, the FCS Corporate Plan and Annual Reports. 35

3. Connecting with Scottish Government national priorities

Covering 9% of Scotland, the NFE provides a real opportunity to deliver across a number of Scottish Government priorities. We align management of the Estate to the Scottish Government’s Scotland Performs framework. The NFE presents the biggest opportunity for Scottish Government to implement the principles of the Land Use Strategy through working in partnership with nature and linking people with the 40 land. The Estate can help meet Climate Change commitments through the use of trees to sequester carbon, managing the Estate to help contribute to flood mitigation and ensuring that the biodiversity of the Estate is secure and able to adapt to climate change. This will also ensure a continued contribution to the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy. The NFE contains approximately one third of Scotland’s woodland resource and is instrumental in delivering the Scottish Forestry Strategy and FCS’s targets.

For more information on delivery of Scottish Government priorities and linking our priorities to the ‘Scotland Performs’ framework please see 45 our National Strategic Directions document; “The role of Scotland’s National Forest Estate and strategic directions 2013-16

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4. Connecting our plans with what we do on the ground

We are currently reviewing our land management planning system – how we link national commitments and decision making to local action. We have a new National Strategic Directions document which states our clear strategic direction for the next three years laid out in a number 50 of National Key Commitments.

The document you are now reading is part of the next level in this planning hierarchy and is one of 10 District Plans that translate the National Key Commitments into regional delivery.

These District Plans will drive our Land Management Plans, which will build on the success of Forest Design Plans and further integrate varied land management priorities to maximise public benefit, and optimise ecosystem service provision. Ecosystem services include such varied 55 objectives as conserving vulnerable species, to maintaining a supply of timber and biomass, and providing the largest area for recreational provision in Scotland. Land Management Plans will also drive the move to a ‘landscape scale’ estate management regime.

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5. Values and Principles 60

We list below the values and principles that we will apply when delivering our actions on the NFE. We aim to be exemplars of multi-purpose and multi-benefit sustainable land use.

Value Examples of how this is demonstrated

We think long term. We are a world leader in sustainable land management with our land management plans having a 50 to 100 year time horizon.

We deliver and demonstrate best practice.

We work to the UK Forestry Standard and Guidelines.

We are independently audited against the UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS) and are committed to maintaining our certification under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

We will maintain our ISO14001 accreditation and continue to improve our business sustainability.

We will actively contribute towards the Forestry Safety Accord.

We embrace both a public service and a business ethos.

Most of what we do is funded through commercial revenue.

We are exemplars of multi-purpose and sustainable land use.

Each District delivers a range of benefits such as recreation opportunities, biomass production, energy generation, carbon sequestration, habitat management, health, education and skills development.

We work in partnership, both locally and nationally.

We work closely with other statutory and non statutory bodies such as Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

We work closely with industry bodies such as the Confederation of Forest Industries (ConFor) and other land managers such as utility companies, farmers and highways agencies.

We work closely with the public to ensure the enjoyment of this national resource.

We actively demonstrate our We are working to improve the diversity of our workforce to reflect the population of Scotland.

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values of teamwork, professionalism, respect, communication, learning and creativity in everything we do.

We will develop and support our people to fully employ their skills, experience, creativity and talent.

We are passionate about connecting people with nature, wild places and cultural heritage.

Open access on all our land – where safety allows – is the norm.

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6. Introducing Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District 65

The NFE Locally

Total area of land managed in Moray & Aberdeenshire

59,000 ha

Made up of….

Woodland 52,300 ha (88%)

Made up of

Coniferous forest

44,327 ha

Broadleaved forest

2,509 ha (includes 207 ha of ancient and semi-natural woodland)

Farmland (with starter farm unit) 1,100 ha

Open space, watercourse, bog 5,600 ha (9%)

Some of the commercial crop listed above is on ancient woodland sites (1,400 ha), and included in the total area managed there are 3,800 ha denoted as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The District team also manages 31 Scheduled Monuments.

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Of the 49,386 ha of woodland area there is 1,800 ha of natural reserve and minimum intervention area with 40,300 ha having been thinned. 70 We also manage 17,600 ha under Low Impact Silviculture systems (LISS).

The age structure of the woodland breaks down as, 6% planted in the 1970s and 19% in the 1980s and 1990s. Older stands pre-1970 account for 22,800 ha and do contain some veteran trees and are now mostly second rotation. Average conifer productivity Yield Class 11, with a small area (2,400 ha) YC 20 and over, mostly Sitka spruce, counter balanced by 9,000 ha of poor productivity YC 6 and below.

There are currently approximately 1,241 ha of ‘agricultural’ quality land much of it from recent acquisitions. Following the planning process a 75 proportion of this will remain in agriculture in the form of starter farms in addition to a range of small grazing and conservation leases.

There is a significant area (7,923 ha) of open ground of which the single biggest area is the high ground at the top of Bennachie. The remaining open ground is largely formed by a mix of riparian corridors, land which is unsuitable for planting owing to soils, altitude, etc and areas of conservation value within the woodland matrix rather than separate open spaces.

Environment 80

The District ranges from the flat coastal pine forests of Moray through the rolling foothills and major river courses of the Spey, Don and Dee to the upland plateaux at a height of nearly 500 metres. The weather/climate to the west is sheltered by the Cairngorms but is exposed in the east to the effects of the North Sea. The springs and summers are primarily dry (drought can be a factor in the lighter coastal soils) but winters can be cold and snowy, which influences management on the higher ground. Soils vary – from sands and the fertile farmland of the coastal zone to the dominant podzols of the mid uplands and deep peats on the highest areas and these soil types influence species selection. Sitka 85 spruce is the dominant species although the pines (Scots, Lodgepole and Corsican) are key in the sandy soils of Moray, the deeper upland peats and along the riparian corridors.

The District is characterised by its important salmon fishing river catchments and silvicultural management is tailored to help sustain the health and quality of these rivers. Although there are relatively few designated sites, there are also management prescriptions in place for other key habitats and species including otter, fresh water pearl mussel, lamprey, red squirrel, capercaillie, blackgrouse, wildcat, badger, 90 lepidoptera and a range of raptors.

The District has an important role to play in control of invasive species notably rhododendron, Himalayan balsam and Japanese knotweed.

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Cultural

Approximately 0.5 million people, roughly 9% of Scotland’s population, live within the District, around half of whom live in Aberdeen with a 95 further large proportion along the main arterial transport routes. The area’s oil-rich reputation contrasts starkly with localised pockets of deprivation not solely confined to the larger towns where social inclusion remains an aspiration. Approximately 1.8 million day visitors use the forests annually prioritised on a number of key visitor sites but with a widespread informal pattern of quiet and active recreational use. The District manages peri-urban woodlands, particularly within the Aberdeen City boundary, which meet significant recreational demand for green spaces. 100

The District cares for 31 Scheduled Monuments and there are over 1200 heritage features on record in the Forester GIS Heritage Module. Those of particular interest include the late Neolithic recumbent stone circles unique to Aberdeenshire, the well preserved WWII coastal defences of Moray and the enormous Pictish Citadel of the Mither Tap on Bennachie.

Economy

The area has a very strong association with the oil industry centred in Aberdeen which has significant wider economic impacts extending over 105 much of Grampian. The rural areas are dominated by a very strong agricultural sector with sporting estates in the uplands, distilling primarily in Speyside, salmon fishing on the numerous key rivers and the coastal fishing communities. Forestry is also prominent over much of the area with long established private and public sector woodlands.

The District employs 73 full-time equivalent posts directly and engages significant numbers of mostly locally based contractors on a wide range of work, particularly timber harvesting and haulage. The unit is a significant producer of timber and plays a major role in sustaining jobs 110 particularly in the processing sector which is well represented in the north east.

Mineral resources are limited although there are two active private sector businesses winning sand and gravel under licence. There are several renewable wind energy opportunities under construction and more under consideration. Forest recreation visits generate expenditure and help sustain local employment, directly or indirectly, through shops and service providers.

Farming is a developing part of the business and we have 1,241 ha of agricultural land under grazing licence with one starter farm in place and 115 some further potential.

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7. District Vision

We will remain an acknowledged provider of well- and sustainably-managed land and forests in our care that meet contemporary social, recreational and conservation aspirations, contribute to the local economy through tourism, renewables and timber production, and integrate well with surrounding land uses. 120

8. District Priorities and Actions

The following sections follow the themes introduced in the national strategic directions document to ensure clear linkages through the planning framework. All Districts will apply an approach based on a strategic assessment of national and regional priorities with the overall aspiration of the Estate being: 125

Healthy – achieving good environmental and silvicultural condition in a changing climate

Productive – providing sustainable economic benefits from the land

Treasured – as a multi-purpose resource that sustains livelihoods, improves quality of life, and offers involvement and enjoyment

Accessible – local woodlands and national treasures that are well promoted, welcoming and open for all

Cared for – working with nature and respecting landscapes, natural and cultural heritage 130

Good value – exemplary, effective and efficient delivery of public benefits

The text for each theme in the following section is accompanied by a table, showing Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District actions in this plan period, and a set of theme-based maps.

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Healthy 135

Achieving good environmental and silvicultural condition in a changing climate

Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District has a high percentage (33%) of low impact silviculture incorporating significant components of Continuous Cover Forestry and maintaining a very high thinnings programme. The District will seek to optimise low impact silviculture wherever practical and will seek to develop forests that are resilient to climate change and diseases through closely matching species to site and environmental conditions. 140

The District has been significantly affected by Dothistroma Needle Blight (DNB) infection, particularly on lodgepole pine. We will continue to aspire to eradicate all DNB- infected lodgepole pine by 2019 through a challenging programme of clearfelling. We will closely monitor impacts on Scots pine and Corsican pine and will develop and implement locally effective mitigation measures which will include a range of thinning prescriptions.

Recently the District has had confirmed cases of Phytophthora ramorum in larch and also Phytophthora austrocedrae in juniper. We have 145 completed sanitation felling on the known ramorum outbreak but will remain alert to monitor and undertake any additional work which arises. We will seek to maintain our current juniper population and will take any opportunity to safeguard, and where practicable, increase the resource.

Areas of important salmon rivers within the District – including the River Spey and River Deveron – have been affected by invasive species, giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed and sea buckthorn. The District will seek to address these species where they occur on the Estate as part of 150 wider co-ordinated partnership actions.

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We are committed to high quality silviculture and to increasingly using alternatives to clearfelling

The District already has a high ) proportion (33%) of ATC. We aspire to maintain a minimum of 30% of the District by area under a Low Impact Silvicultural (LISS) management regime (N)

Thinning to improve timber quality will be our preferred option and we will work with our own staff and contractors to further develop skills in this area. We will maintain a Forest District Thinning Plan and will aim to thin a minimum 2/3rds of the forested area. Outputs will be approximately 120km3 annually

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We are exploring how to best steward the carbon resources locked up both in the Estate’s trees and soils

The District will adopt a LISS where feasible to minimise ground preparation and harvesting impacts with due regard to Forest & Water Guidance and Forest Soils Guidance 2011

Moray & Aberdeenshire (M&A) will supply approximately 5,000m3 annually for the domestic firewood market and 10,000m3 annually for biomass to reduce requirement for hydrocarbons (N)

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We will help the Estate to adapt to climate change and become more resilient to pressure

(M&A) will continue to make good use of Ecological Site Classification to closely fit species to sites taking into account the anticipated impacts of climate change. One important possible effect being some

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current Sitka spruce sites could become more susceptible to drought (N)

The District will manage DNB in lodgepole pine during the life of the Strategic Plan (N) and, by reducing innoculum levels, will seek to safeguard Scots pine and Corsican pine woodlands particularly in Speyside/Deeside and on the Moray Coast at Culbin

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We are committed to dealing with invasive plants and animals that threaten habitats and biodiversity

M&A is at the forefront of reducing the impacts of grey squirrels in the area, particularly trying to reduce their presence around Aberdeen and along the watercourses of the Dee and the Don (N)

The unit will continue to work with partners to destroy Japanese knotweed (especially in Spey catchment) and help eradicate Giant hogweed (in Deveron catchment) (N)

The District will continue to help monitoring and controlling mink in the Don, Dee and Deveron river catchments

An active rhododendron control programme will be maintained with a view to eradicating all rhododendron by 2018 and removing all mature bushes by 2015

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Productive 155

Providing sustainable economic benefits from the land

Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District is a key District for timber production on the NFE. It significantly contributes to meeting the demand from local value-added processing capacity – an approach that minimises haulage and maximises income.

The District will continue to sustainably produce around 330km3 of timber per annum. This will be actively marketed as components of long-term contracts and a proportion of open market sales to maintain competitiveness. Harvesting costs will be measured against private 160 activities and competitive processes will be applied in relation to procurement activities.

We will implement the productive broadleaved strategy to ensure a steady expansion of the broadleaves on the Estate where compatible with sound silviculture. This will involve the effective delivery of a deer management strategy in accordance with nationally agreed working practices.

The District has been actively purchasing land for establishment of new woodland and over the course of the strategic plan period this will 165 result in significant private sector involvement to establish new forests under framework contracts.

We will ensure that any future land purchases are delivered with due consideration of the impacts on the agricultural sector. We will seek to make agricultural quality land available for grazing and, where appropriate cropping, where this is compatible or complimentary to other objectives. This will include the development of two starter farm opportunities.

Moray & Aberdeenshire contributes significantly to the local tourism economy both through the Estate itself and the provision of high quality 170 visitor attractions such as Bennachie and Culbin. We will maintain the current key visitor facilities, remain receptive to new opportunities and continue to contribute to local partnership strategies, including accommodating a wide range of recreational events such as the Scottish Orienteering Championships. These larger scale events can deliver significant local economic gains and, by promoting active lifestyles, reduce pressure on health providers in thelonger term.

The Land Management Plans for the Deeside (Inver, Pannanich, Cambus) and Strathdon (Bunzeach and Auchernach) forests are developed to 175 contribute to the wider land management objectives of the Cairngorms National Park Forest and Woodland Framework.

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We aim to increase the NFE’s contribution to the economy of Scotland and its regions and recognise the Estate’s potential for assisting the transition to a low carbon economy

The District will continue to look constructively at opportunities for business development such as renewable energy on sites which include Clashindarroch and Fetteresso and in commercial recreation (N)

We will look to maximising brash and stump recovery where it is economic and environmentally viable to do so

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FES aims to sustainably provide at least three million cubic metres of softwood timber annually

The District will maintain a sustainable annual softwood timber production of 330,000m3 over bark standing (N)

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Across Scotland, FES intends to manage at least a quarter of its expanding broadleaved woodlands to produce quality hardwoods and fuelwood

The District will adhere to its local broadleaved strategy when managing its broadleaved resource. This includes objectives to increase productive broadleaves (N)

Where it is economically viable, we will actively manage our broadleaved resource with a view to securing silvicultural improvement and commercial return

X X Recognising the benefits of contributing to local economic activity, we will market timber in ways that encourage added value and additional jobs

With a view to optimising recovery and income streams, timber will be marketed to best match demand – including parcelling firewood and

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in manufacturing and processing, especially in the more fragile rural areas

potential biomass material (N) A high proportion of timber production (70%)

will be marketed as medium- or long-term contracts to ensure market stability and encourage processors to invest in maintenance and upgrade (N)

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We will use our work programmes to promote the development of the forestry and land management sectors

The District will offer long- and medium-term contract work on an open and fair basis encouraging business development and investment through sustainable work programmes. Key to this will be direct contract timber production of circa 110km3 (N)

M&A will seek to support the modern apprenticeship scheme and forest skills development with a programme that will produce qualified apprentices fit for employment in public or private sectors

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We plan to increase agricultural use of the Estate where this is consistent with environmental objectives

Land of grazing quality will be made available for lease or grazing licence as appropriate and where practically and economically viable

The District will maintain a starter farm at Upper Tullochbeg and look at further opportunities during the Forest District

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X X Strategic Plan term (N) M&A will ensure that acquired agricultural

quality land will be productively managed pending land management decisions in accordance with the Woodland Expansion Advisory Group protocols

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We aim to realise the Estate’s renewable energy potential whilst achieving a reasonable balance with other objectives

M&A will facilitate the development of windfarms which have planning consent

Subject to grid connection dates and planning approvals, the District will also help the progression of windfarms with a view to optimising the returns during the strategic plan period. Initial sites will include Huntly, Speyside and Fetteresso (N)

The District will consider community wind and hydro opportunities on the Estate (N)

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We will work with partners to find new ways to harness our natural and cultural heritage and develop the Estate’s potential for tourism

We will work closely with VisitScotland, local authorities and local tourism organisations, volunteers and businesses to capitalise on natural and cultural heritage visitor attractions on important sites at Cambus o’ May, Culbin, Gallows Hill (Dunnottar), Mither Tap (Bennachie) and thus benefit the local visitor economy (N)

The District will continue to work with the

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‘Bennachie Centre Trust’ and ‘Baillies of Bennachie’ to further develop interpretation and knowledge of cultural and historic interest at Bennachie which will sustain its place as an important local visitor destination

Within the Cairngorms National Park we will develop Land Management Plans which reflect and contribute to the objectives of the Forest and Woodland Framework

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We will support the Scottish Government's woodland expansion policy

Through appropriate acquisitions the District will help to deliver Scottish Government woodland expansion targets in accordance with the Woodland Expansion Advisory Group report (N)

During the plan period the District will seek to consult and thereafter implement agreed Land Management Plans for all extant acquisitions including Corniehaugh/Woodfold, Mains of Ittingstone, Upper Tullochbeg, Curlusk, Broadfield, Culdrain and Waulkmill. (N)

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A portfolio analysis of existing holdings will identify appropriate woodlands for disposal, which can be sold to generate the income necessary to purchase and establish new forests (N)

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Treasured 180

As a multi-purpose resource that sustains livelihoods, improves quality of life, and offers involvement and enjoyment

We will sustain and enhance our established track record of working constructively with communities and encourage further local engagement through active partnerships and the promotion of the National Forest Land Scheme.

Car ownership is a prerequisite of rural living, but where possible we will try to influence decision makers to help us facilitate social inclusion 185 by providing appropriate public transport to local forests.

Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District supports modern apprenticeships and will continue to provide two opportunities to prepare suitable candidates for employment within the forestry sector. We will also work with local schools and encourage their interest in the use of the forests as an educational and recreational resource.

The District has invested in the improvement of the popular Tyrebagger Christmas Tree Centre, which over 15,000 local people traditionally 190 visit during the festive season. We will maintain this combination of commercial and community engagement opportunity and continue to explore opportunities to improve the year round use of the woodland resource.

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We want to encourage local people to get involved with using and managing local Estate woodlands so we will actively engage with local communities and be open to work in partnership

Land Management Plans will be developed in consultation with local communities in accordance with our consultation strategy to take into account local views which add value and provide benefits (N)

The District has established partnerships with local groups (e.g. Baillies of Bennachie, Dunnottar Woodland Park Association and Friends of Durris Forests) with which we will continue to work, whilst also welcoming approaches from other local groups

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We will continue to use the Estate as a place for volunteering and gaining employment skills

We will seek to provide a mid year student placement in each business year and participate in the modern apprenticeship programme providing an opportunity for up to two apprentices every two years (N)

We will work with third sector organisations that provides development and recuperation opportunities for adults and maintain a register of volunteers so that suitable projects can be progressed as volunteering experiences

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X We are committed to creating more uniquely special places across the Estate and to delivering benefits to an increasingly diverse range of Scotland’s people

We will promote our key sites at Bennachie, Culbin and Roseisle as special places and maintain the highest standards of recreational management to maximise the opportunities for

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their responsible use. We will continue to improve key visitor zones around priority visitor recreation sites and along major tourist routes through visual and environmental improvements thereby adding to and enhancing the visitor experience

Visitor experience plans explore how we may best interpret special places to add value to visitors appreciation and understanding of these locations and their management. We will prepare management plans at Quarrel Wood, Blackhall (Scolty), and Culbin

Encouraging an inclusive approach to the enjoyment of the forest resources, the District will continue to work with partners such as Greenfingers and the Fieldfare Trust to ensure that facilities are fit for purpose

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We recognise the value of the Estate as a place for research and development of best practice

M&A will support appropriate research programmes (e.g Aberdeen University research programme) and those with a focus on developing mitigation measures against DNB (N)

The District will, subject to resources, seek to be an exemplar of best practice in all aspects of their management delivery

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Accessible 195

Local woodlands and national treasures that are well promoted, welcoming and open for all

Every year, around 1.8 million day visitors to the Estate make use of high quality recreational sites on Scotland’s NFE. In Moray & Aberdeenshire we will prioritise available resources to sites which maximise public benefit. For example, we will consolidate improvements at those areas of the Moray Monster Trails that are most heavily used.

We have a number of Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT) sites in and around Aberdeen City but also Dunnottar in the centre of Stonehaven, 200 which provide recreation and education opportunities to the predominantly urban users. The sites require significant on-going management and we will strive to deliver and maintain standards of excellence, aided by the development of two ‘woodland warden’posts to support these WIAT sites.

With assistance from the in-house Equalities and Diversity team and with assessments from the Fieldfare Trust, sites actively promoted for recreation will be evaluated for all-abilities access. Culbin, Monaughty and Bennachie will be prioritised and evaluation will build on earlier 205 work completed in 2012/13. We will continue to encourage the use of woodland as a therapeutic, restorative experience and will work with partners that promote the use of forests to improve wellbeing – such as the ‘Paths to Health’ initiative and the Moray-based Greenfingers programme.

We will maintain an active ‘What’s On’ programme, play a full part in the schedule of events in the north east and encourage the use of promoted trails, such as Bennachie, and the forest roads network for active recreation. We will also work with local access authorities in 210 managing Core Paths and long distance ways, such as the Deeside Way, Speyside Way and Gordon Way. In order to minimise disruption to recreational access, our site management will adhere to best practice principles as set out in the ‘Management of Health & Safety in Forestry Guidance’.

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We will continue to invest available resources into high quality facilities that encourage and help visitors experience and enjoy the outdoor environment

We will continue to review our facilities and prioritise resources to ensure that they continue to deliver a safe, high quality product at key locations such as Bennachie to meet the needs of local people and visitors in accordance with priorities informed by our visitor surveys (N)

Our staff will continue to be responsive to visitor needs, to learn and develop their customer focus and facility management skills and continue to improve our marketing including our on line information and promotional work. This will include working closely with VisitScotland and other local partners

The District will welcome approaches from third party recreation providers where their proposal is compatible with other management objectives. This will include looking at possible third party sponsorship opportunities at Blackhall

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We will continue to encourage use of the Estate for health benefits and outdoor learning

The District will work with teachers and leaders of local private and public sector education providers to encourage the use of the forest as a learning and physical activity resource through the forest schools programme (N) We will

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continue to promote, including through our newsletter, the use of the Estate for a wide range of events and activities that we currently host – spanning competitive sports and leisure activities to learning opportunities (e.g. annual Christmas tree sales, and through a ‘What’s On’ programme). We will continue to make improvements to our permission system, improve our service and reduce the risk of potential conflicts between different users.

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Through our WIAT programme we aim to provide more opportunities for more of Scotland’s people to enjoy high-quality countryside and find health, education, skills and community involvement benefits

We will maintain high standards of management at established WIAT sites (e.g. Countesswells and Dunnottar) and consider opportunities for further development (N)

We will continue to explore opportunities to extend the provision of woodland cover and provision of facilities and services in and around Aberdeen City and also reactivate the partnership approach at Quarry Wood nr Elgin.

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Cared for

Working with nature and respecting landscapes, natural and cultural heritage

The District takes a keen interest in and safeguards all aspects of natural and cultural heritage in our work programmes. We manage 31 Scheduled Monuments and we engage an archaeologist to carry out archaeological surveys before undertaking operations to identify and help 220 preserve features of interest. We also deliver public events highlighting and promoting particular highlights, including the Colony Houses at Bennachie and the extensive WWII fortifications in Roseisle, Culbin and Lossiemouth.

We will ensure that historic environment features are identified within our Work Plans and that damage is avoided during forestry operations; and we will ensure that relevant designated historic assets (and significant undesignated historic assets) are included within our Forest Design Plans and Land Management Plans and are actively managed within a programme of detailed archaeological recording and 225 conservation management.

Moray & Aberdeenshire is one of only 4 Districts with Capercaillie. Key areas are the predominantly pine forests of Deeside and Speyside. We actively monitor the population and adjust our operations to maintain and create appropriate habitats and to minimise disturbance. This involves scheduling operations appropriately, implementing thinning programmes to favour ground vegetation, and retaining groups of larch to provide fodder, roosting sites and standing deadwood. There are also limited black grouse populations on or close to the Estate boundary 230 and the sites will be managed in favour of these species. The designated nature conservation sites within the District will be managed in accordance with management agreements developed with SNH.

The District has small areas of juniper which we are careful to sustain. For the most part these are above the commercial tree line so are readily separated from harvesting and restocking activities. Browsing is, however, a factor and some sites have now evidence of Phytophthora austrocedrae so a strict bio security policy has been introduced. There are some opportunities to expand the resource linked to renewables 235 development.

Red squirrels are found throughout the area and the District is the highest priority area for red squirrel management on the Estate. We promote favourable conditions for them through the timing of operations, species protection and tree species selection. Additionally we will continue to contribute to an active programme of grey squirrel control and select broadleaved species with care in order to avoid creating wildlife corridors favourable to grey squirrel movements. 240

The District is working with external advisors to assess possible opportunities for an appropriately scaled sand dune habitat restoration programme. We will continue to further develop the thinking – and build on – existing initiatives at Lossie Forest and Culbin particularly.

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We will ensure that Land Management Plans for the Deeside and Strathdon forests take into account the objectives of the Cairngorms National Park Nature Action Plan 2013 -2018

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X X X We are restoring around 85% of areas on ancient woodland sites to largely native species. The remaining areas will be enhanced through our management

The District will aim to have 38% of plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS) by area under active restoration by the expiry of the plan period (N)

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We aim to increase broadleaved tree cover from the current 8% of woodland cover to around 20%

The FD will expand our commercial broadleaved resource wherever viable to contribute to the 20% National target

Existing broadleaves will be surveyed to ensure that there is an accurate record and there will be an active programme bringing these into management

There will be a programme of fencing and culling to reduce the impacts of deer grazing and browsing on the broadleaved resource to allow the production of commercial quality broadleaves

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We are committed to maintaining the best open and native woodland habitats in good ecological condition

M&A will contribute to the developing policy of sand dune habitat restoration relevant to Culbin and Lossie forests and will progress any agreed prescriptions during the plan period

The pursuit of favourable condition status (where practicable) for designated open ground sites will be managed in accordance with plans agreed with SNH including Culbin, Hill of

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X X X Towanreef, Spey Bay (N) The District will continue to regularly review all

open ground management on a regular basis to ensure that it is appropriate. Grazing licences may be used, where appropriate, to maintain or enhance open ground habitats, e.g. Blackmiddens and Mortlach Moss

We will ensure that our management of woodlands within the Cairngorms National Park will contribute to the objectives of the Cairngorms Nature Action Plan 2013 -2018

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We will identify particularly vulnerable species for which the NFE is important and take specific conservation action

The District is one of four which has populations of capercaillie: we will manage the relevant forests in Deeside and Speyside in accordance with best practice guidance for these species with a view to minimising disruption and enhancing habitat where practicable (N)

M&A will employ a best practice approach to the management of raptors to ensure that they are safeguarded and enhanced by beneficial silvicultural management. There will be a particular emphasis on goshawks and red kites

Red squirrels exist throughout much of the District and there are a number of stronghold sites. The District will seek to safeguard existing

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red squirrel populations through beneficial management and by supporting a cull programme to constrain the populations of grey squirrels within the Aberdeen area and along the watercourses of the Don and the Dee. We will work to maintain habitats suitable for red squirrels with particular emphasis on the Deeside corridor (N)

The District will seek to safeguard its current limited juniper resource in Cambus o’ May and Strathdon and will consider appropriate opportunities for expansion in Clashindarroch and new acquisitions

(N)

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X We safeguard archaeological sites through our planning and management and recognise special places and features with local cultural meaning

WWe will continue to undertake conservation management, condition monitoring and archaeological recording at significant historic

We will continue to update the Forester GIS Heritage Module with new discoveries and will commission archaeological survey where necessary

We will ensure that our significant designated heritage assets are managed according to Monument Management Plans agreed with Historic Scotland (N)

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assets

WWe will continue to work with stakeholders to develop, share and promote best practice historic environment conservation management

We will continue to hire an archaeological specialist to carry out checks of all work sites of archaeological interest

The District will work particularly closely with Bennachie Centre Trust and Baillies of Bennachie to interpret the cultural interest in Bennachie

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Good value

Exemplary, effective and efficient delivery of public benefits

In addition to timber production we will continue to recognise, and where possible, further develop our contribution to the local tourism sector. We will maintain car parking charges at current visitor sites and seek to develop partnership working elsewhere that creates income 250 streams, efficiency gains or wider benefits.

Given that the area is predominantly agricultural in nature, we will seek to make best use of agricultural quality land within the Estate and create grazing licences, leases or agricultural tenancies where appropriate.

Moray & Aberdeenshire has played an active part in the development of renewable wind energy projects (two major schemes are underway, Mid Hill (Fetteresso) and Clashindarroch and two more are in planning) and we will work with the developers to facilitate the delivery of the 255 schemes. The District is also working with a number of developers and relevant communities on smaller scale renewable programmes and will continue to do so as schemes approved through the formal planning process are implemented.

Where there are opportunities to derive income streams from the management of the Estate (e.g. minerals or recreational management activities), we will seek to optimise income wherever possible.

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X We will seek a diverse range of income sources to underpin the cost of managing the Estate, and we will continually look for ways to achieve best value in delivery of public benefits

M&A will work constructively with developers to secure renewable energy programmes which fit with other management objectives (N)

We will develop business relationships with recreation and tourism related businesses following fair and open tenders for commercial recreational opportunities which can be accommodated on the Estate and which contribute to other management and policy objectives (N) We will continue to charge for car parking at current sites where charges are levied in a way that is considered commensurate with short and longer stays. The proceeds will be recycled into the upkeep of recreation and tourism facilities and services

The District will look to optimise the return to the public purse from estate development such as land sales, telecommunications opportunities or third party negotiations

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We will make progressive reductions in the emissions from our Estate management activities

M&A will continue to seek to reduce energy consumption in the management of infrastructure through rationalisation and design. This will include a reconfiguration of our buildings at Durris and a replacement for the current Craibstone offices linked to a review of

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our base at Bennachie We will strive to secure a 5% reduction in carbon

emissions associated with travel through the use of video conferencing and low emissions vehicles by application of the evolving light vehicles policy (N)

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9. Consultation (or Engagement) with Stakeholders

FES attaches great importance to engaging customers and stakeholders in developing new plans, strategies or policies and their implementation. We aim to involve as wide a range of people at as early a stage as possible and making the engagement as thorough, effective, transparent and appropriate to the target audience.

Key Commitments 265

A clear and agreed purpose shared with all parties Fairness, equality and inclusion Provide accurate and timely information Exercise skill in order to build relationships, to ensure practise of equalities principles, to share ownership of the agenda, and to enable

all viewpoints to be reflected 270 Improve the quality of engagement by learning from experience. Participants are given the opportunity to build on their knowledge and skills Conform to statutory legislation

In summary, these principles aim to build on the skills and knowledge of all those involved and outline our commitment to continuously 275 improve and to foster a clear sense of purpose for achieving change.

Engagement by the District on plans and programmes conforms to the FES Engagement Strategy that, in turn, follows the Scottish Government Consultation Good Practice Guidance.

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District Engagement and Stakeholders 280

The area covered by Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District has a very small proportion of ethnic communities and limited racial or religious diversity. There are localised, but fluctuating, employment-related clusters of mainly eastern European workforce.

Approximately half of the area’s population lives within the city of Aberdeen, with a high proportion of the remainder along the main arterial corridors (A96, A90 and A93). The large number of smaller towns and villages outwith these corridors tend to have developed through a close association with local industries such as fishing, distilling or agriculture. 285

The area’s prominent oil-rich economy is centred around Aberdeen but has an influence throughout much of the District, providing highly paid jobs and creating demand for off-shift recreational resources. The recreational activities prominent within the District reflects the relative affluence of user groups with equestrian, sled dogs, motorsports and mountain biking all well represented. Many rural communities also have a close association with their local forest and a sense of ownership, not least through dog walking and quiet recreation. As a consequence, they commonly take a keen interest in their local woodland, which is usually most evident in relation to delivery rather than 290 planning.

Agriculture dominates much of the land use pattern outwith the city, whilst the fishing industry is a significant economic and cultural influence in the coastal communities.

Localised pockets of deprivation are restricted to specific areas within the city of Aberdeen and the coastal communities that are remote from much of the woodland resource. There are also small localised areas such as Upper Strathdon and Cabrach where the decline in traditional 295 agriculture and estate management has fragmented communities, which constrains social inclusion through loss of critical mass and service provision. Car ownership is a prerequisite of life in many of these locations.

Larger, national level stakeholders tend only to engage with the Forest District when we approach them regarding planning processes, primarily at Forest Design Plan level. This may change with the advent of Land Management Plans.

The regional level stakeholder engagement is limited to Local Authorities and occasional interaction with the well-represented timber trade 300 which tends to focus particularly on issues associated with production forecasting primarily addressed at national level.

Local stakeholders vary, and there are a number of partnership initiatives – primarily linked to their local woodland (e.g. Dunnottar Woodland Park Association) that are closely involved in planning the management of ‘their’ woodland. There are also significant ‘communities of interest’ most commonly with a recreational remit (e.g. Moray Sled Dog Group, Grampian Orienteers, Moray Equestrian Access Group) with whom we frequently engage on access management permissions. 305

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Types of activity National Regional Local

Forest District Strategic Plans

FCS

Statutory and Non Statutory Consultees, e.g. Timber Trade, SNH, SEPA, RSPB

FCS Conservancy

Grampian Regional Forestry Forum

Timber Trade, Local Authorities, Statutory and Non Statutory Consultees

Individuals

Council Members

Community Councils

Communities of Interest

Land Management Plans

FCS

Statutory and Non Statutory Consultees, e.g. Timber Trade, SNH, SEPA, RSPB

FCS Conservancy, Timber Trade, Local Authorities, Statutory and Non Statutory Consultees

Neighbours, Businesses

Residents, Council Members, Community Councils

Communities of Interest

Renewable Energy Projects – Wind and Hydro

FCS

Statutory and Non Statutory Consultees, e.g. Timber Trade, SNH, SEPA, RSPB

FCS Conservancy Office, Local Authorities, Statutory and Non Statutory Consultees

Neighbours, Community Councils and community groups

Communities of Interest (Potential Investors)

Communities of Interest (Objectors)

Development Plans Ministers, Statutory and Non Statutory Consultees, e.g. Timber Trade, SNH, SEPA, RSPB

FCS Conservancy Office, Local Authorities, Statutory and Non Statutory Consultees

Neighbours, Businesses

Residents, Council Members, Community Councils

Work Plans SNH, SEPA, RSPB Utility Companies, Access Officers, Local Authorities, Highways Agencies,

Neighbours, Businesses

Utility Companies

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Renewable Developers

Conservation Groups

UKWAS

Repositioning programmes

Ministers, FCS, SGRPID FCS, SGRPID, Local authorities Neighbours, Community Councils

Local User Groups

Recreation Events Access Officers, Local Authorities, Highways Agencies, Neighbours

Access Officers, Local Authorities, Highways Agencies, Neighbours

Local User Groups

Educational Groups

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10. Delivery and Monitoring Section 310

Context

Delivery is based on the creation of a rolling annual business plan. This identifies and measures the physical and financial resources required to deliver the Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District component of the National Strategic Directions.

The business plan is developed using data from detailed Work Plans prepared for all significant programmes approximately two years before work commences. These plans are driven by the Land Management Plans, and above those, the District Strategic Plan. 315

Following approval of the business plan the local managers organise the agreed programmes and report each quarter relative to timescales, resources and quality standards. This wide-ranging monitoring is integral to sustainable forest management and reflects formal performance monitoring such as the UK Forest Standard and informal day-to-day monitoring of detailed management activity.

Before looking to establish the way forward, a key component of the process of strategic planning is to firstly establish where we are now. This can be achieved by review of the performance against the indicators outlined in the previous Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District 320 Strategic Plan 2009-2013.

Monitoring for the 2009-2013 District Strategic Plan

The plan covering the period 2009-2013 reflected aspirational delivery grouped into the seven themes from the Scottish Forestry Strategy – Climate Change, Timber, Business Development, Community Development, Access & Health, Environmental Quality and Biodiversity. In each section of this plan each Forest District outlined what it would contribute to delivery of the seven themes against the relevant target. The 325 progress relative to these targets is contained in Appendix 1. The appendix reports completion of the targets (new, yes, no or partial) and includes explanatory comment.

Monitoring for the 2014-2017 District Strategic Plan

Each of the 10 Forest Districts in Scotland has identified how best to contribute to the delivery of the aspirations outlined in, ‘The role of Scotland’s National Forest Estate and strategic directions 2013-2016’. These aspirations are categorised under the headings Healthy, 330 Productive, Treasured, Accessible, Cared for and Good value.

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The 2014-2017 District Strategic Plan for Moray & Aberdeenshire will be monitored to ensure that progress can be tracked against both national and local aspirations, and will focus on those specific District Priority Commitments outlined in the thematic tables containing the ‘District Actions’.

Strategic Environmental Assessment Monitoring 335

The 10 Forest District Strategic Plans will be subject to assessment and consultation through the established Strategic Environmental Assessment procedures. The outcomes will be used to create a suite of indicators under each of the six national priorities. The reporting strategy will be owned at national level but will reflect local trends and District issues derived from the relevant FD priority commitments. The relevant indicators will be reviewed concurrently with the cycle of national and Forest District Strategic Plans reviews.

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Appendix 1

Delivery of 2009-2013 Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District Strategic Plan

Target from previous District Strategic Plan Target achieved

Comments on progress and future work required

CLIMATE CHANGE

Work with renewable energy developers potentially under joint ventures to assess and take forward the delivery of renewable energy projects on the NFE in accordance with national and local planning procedures. This will including a number of ongoing projects at Clashindarroch, Aultmore, Cushnie, Midhill (Fetteresso) but will also include new programmes for wind generation and run-of-river hydro schemes all of which will be subject to local consultation.

Yes / partial

Progress has been slowed by factors outwith the control of the FD.

Planning consent has been secured for Clashindarroch construction. Work is underway at Mid Hill 1 and a second application for Mid Hilll 2 is under consideration. Cushnie was refused planning consent. Aultmore should be submitted for planning consent in 2013. Two windfarm sites are under immediate consideration under the Lot 4 protocols. There are two small run-of-river community hydro schemes under consideration.

Support the further development of the woodfuel sector and continue to work with merchants to make suitable material available. This will include specifically marketing parcels suitable for woodfuel of a nature and scale that matches sectoral demand.

Yes The progress of the DNB eradication policy has made available significant volumes of woodfuel-quality material for which demand remains extremely strong, both with domestic and commercial customers. Grampian Operations have packaged standing sales parcels of material suitable for the woodfuel buyer with strong prices secured. Broadleaved woodlands are being managed commercially, with woodfuel production a key and evolving market. Trial coppicing contracts have been placed.

Recognise the potential of the area to contribute at a commercial scale to the delivery of bio energy forestry. We will undertake commercial-scale trials at South Balnoon to improve knowledge of this subject and demonstrate our experience. We will also work with

Yes / partial

Trials established at South Balnoon have not yet yielded outcomes. Establishment practices will be further used at subsequent agricultural acquisitions.

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Forest Research to establish an intensive trial site at this location to further develop short rotation forestry and short rotation coppice.

Adopt a policy of future proofing forests to make them more resilient to the potential impacts of climate change. This will include making sure that silvicultural systems and species choice incorporated in forest plans are selected carefully to suit the site characteristics and take into account the envisaged change for generally warmer and drier summers, milder wetter winters and increasingly frequent storm events.

Yes All new Land Management Plans (Forest Design Plans) are considered in this context, taking into account known parameters for climate change. Climate change models suggest that Sitka spruce will remain viable, and indeed exceed. current performance for at least one further rotation.

Continue to monitor the pests and diseases currently affecting crops in the District and look to implement silvicultural practices to mitigate the known effects. It is possible that changing climate will alter the range of pests and diseases, that impacts may be accelerated, or that new issues may arise. It will become increasingly important to select tree species or provenances that are least susceptible to disease.

Yes On-going monitoring programmes for DNB, Ash Dieback, Phythophthora ramorum and Phytophthora austrocedrae. Ongoing eradication scheme for DNB-infected lodgepole. Introduction of thinning programme to mitigate DNB impacts in Corsican pine Adoption of Ecological Site Classification to ensure that species selection fits the site conditions.

Consider opportunities to restore areas to moorland where climate change favours habitat restoration in accordance with forest plans

Yes An active programme of moorland restoration through clearfelling linked closely to statutory sites, e.g. Moss of Fuie, and Mortlach Moss.

Maintain and review annually a fire plan, and continue to work closely with Grampian Fire Service and North and South Grampian Fire Groups. Warmer drier summers and associated changes in ground vegetation may result in an increase in wildfires in the FD.

Yes A very low incidence of forest fires has been maintained. Fire plans are reviewed annually and lodged with Grampian Fire & Rescue. Membership of both North and South Grampian Fire Groups maintained.

Adopt a policy of managed retreat in coastal forests subject to coastal erosion and long shore drift, except in situations where there is an overriding need to

Yes Localised trials of sand dune restoration have been undertaken at both Culbin and Lossiemouth Forests. A more significant proposal for Culbin is under consideration.

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safeguard natural or built features.

Incorporate forest habitat networks into forest plans, where appropriate. At a general level, forest habitat networks will make a positive contribution to biodiversity and will particularly assist the movement of fragile species affected by climate change.

Yes Forest habitat networks are a component of all Forest Design Plans and relevant Work Plans.

TIMBER

Continue to maximise the area managed through thinning and utilise staff/contractor base to further develop professionalism and thinning expertise.

Partial The unit maintains a very high area of thinning but has had to prioritise clearfell to address issues of DNB. Thinning programme is being actively reinvigorated as priority DNB is delivered.

Work at a local and national level to improve production forecasting and forest planning systems for thinning and continuous cover treatments. Allocate a significant proportion of timber to long-term contracts to help secure supplies and price to the regional sawmills. Timber will also continue to be sold under open market conditions to maintain competitiveness and allow a wider range of merchants to buy local timber.

Yes Production forecast software has been reviewed. Existing long-term contracts have been maintained. Proportion of open market sales has required downward adjustment as programme has concentrated on DNB.

Make sure that timber quality is maintained or improved over time through appropriate species choice, stocking densities and thinning.

Yes Existing policies have been maintained although species choice has been affected by DNB and Ash Dieback implications.

Use good silviculture and appropriate species choice and use a low input approach where this can be achieved.

Yes The FD has maintained a high proportion of alternative to clearfell prescription.

Take an active role in the Grampian Timber Transport Group to further reduce the costs and environmental

Yes The FD is represented on the Grampian Timber Transport Group.

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impacts of timber transport.

Commit to long-term contracts with customers and contractors with a view to reducing costs and timber miles.

Yes Existing long-term contracts for products have been maintained. Existing medium-term harvesting contracts have been renewed. Potential woodfuel and biomass markets will provide additional local outlets.

Develop our niche marketing of hardwood timber to optimise its current limited resource. We will facilitate species change on suitable broadleaf sites in the existing land holding through forest plan revisions.

Partial Successful trial work on coppice/thinning has been carried out but the resource is not yet fully utilised. FD policy is that all broadleaves will be expected to be productive. Broadleaf policy has been introduced and a review of broadleave restock performance is underway.

Actively seek new planting land acquisitions on better quality soils for growing quality hardwood timber on realistic rotation lengths. Where possible these areas will meet multiple objectives, such as providing increased access and enhancing habitat networks.

Partial The FD has been successful in securing appropriate improved quality land. Forest Design Plans development and resource planning will extend the establishment periods. Multiple objectives now also include the establishment of starter farms.

Continue to seek opportunities to demonstrate the use of timber in construction such as the extension to the FCS district office.

Partial Marketing strategy is a medium to longer term aspiration. Opportunities are sporadic. The FCS local office has been constructed with a high utilisation of local timber.

Specify sustainability in all building tenders. Yes Fully achieved.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Develop our approach to volunteers to offer improved skills learning and career chances through their time with us.

No Volunteer opportunities have been curbed by resource constraints.

Review our contract tendering approach with the aim of encouraging and supporting the development of new contractors.

No With the exception of harvesting, the development of framework contracts has tended to favour national or regional operators.

Deliver best practice training to operators and Yes A range of training events focusing on environmental, health and

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contractors in relation to all operations to increase and develop local skills base.

safety and UKWAS compliance have been facilitated.

Continue to provide a full events programme and wider marketing to attract more visitors to the area.

Yes A ‘What’s On’ events programme has been maintained.

Encourage local business developments that match our wider social and environmental standards to derive benefits from tourism, particularly where they further promote forest use.

Yes Active engagement with service providers although opportunities have been constrained by external economics.

Actively seek resources to continually improve the quality of our recreation provision. We will develop formal site plans for all main recreation facilities (see district recreation plan for details of approach and other plans).

Yes Resources have required to be prioritised on a small number of high quality recreation facilities but there is sustained ongoing investment.

Continue to work with VisitScotland and other partners on the marketing and presentation of our tourism offer.

Yes Marketing strategy is co-ordinated at central level but the FD continues to advertise widely and welcome and facilitate external approaches. The unit maintains an aspiration to attract a Forest Holidays development.

Continue to consider the landscape value of woodlands to tourism during revision of forest plans.

Yes The FD applies the protocols included in the Visitor Zone guidance.

Respond positively to further approaches from woodfuel and hydro that equally help mitigate against climate change. Currently the largest single non-timber income stream is progression of renewable energy proposals for Aultmore, Cushnie, Mid Hill and Clashindarroch.

Yes The FD has contributed to the progression of Mid Hill 1 and Clashindarroch, both of which are now approved for construction. A range of other windfarm and small scale hydro are under consideration.

Consider sensitive non-forest enterprises along with full stakeholder consultation where development proposals are unlikely to damage other objectives.

Partial External economic downturn has constrained opportunities.

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A second phase development of the quarry in Lossie forest will be considered.

Further review how the NFE in the District delivers against Scottish Forestry Strategy objectives. Forests with low scores will be considered for sale to realise value for recycling to other key work areas, including new acquisitions.

Yes A refreshed analysis of the portfolio has been completed. The unit has actively and dynamically managed the Estate to create new woodland opportunities.

Actively explore future opportunities to work in partnership with local communities and business particularly where these provide for complementary use of the NFE. We will consider applications under the National Forest Land Scheme and for affordable housing.

Yes Existing partnerships have been maintained. National Forest Land Scheme applications have been completed, notably at Slewdrum and Balfour but also smaller scale approaches. Local authorities do not consider that the Estate has any current potential to provide sites suitable for affordable housing.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Prioritise acquisitions of lands/woodlands in close proximity to towns and take an active part in partnership initiatives.

Partial Very limited land has been available for sale in proximity to settlements.

Continue to engage communities in the forest design plan process and consultation on local issues.

Yes Fully achieved.

Respond promptly to approaches from interested groups or individuals.

Yes Ongoing process from individual contacts to communities of interest.

Continue to develop links with local communities to seek to make sure that management of the NFE reflects both local and national objectives including provision for appropriately scaled and located all-abilities facilities in consultation with specific user group representation.

Yes Ongoing – there has been a significant investment of resources to seek to improve all abilities facilities in conjunction with the Fieldfare Trust.

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Continue to work positively with any approaches under the National Forest Land Scheme to help community partners realise their ambitions.

Yes Balfour and Slewdrum woods sold to the Birse Community Trust. Gaudiedale Strip to equestrian group and three ongoing cases at Broadley, Pannanich, and Kirkton of Maryculter.

Inform community councils of forests for sale in their area as soon as possible.

Yes Notification by Estates Acquisitions and Disposals leads.

Respond to demand from schools requiring forest visits, in particular look for opportunities to engage with urban schools at secondary and primary levels.

Yes Programme has evolved so that comms/education team facilitate rather than lead.

Continue to work actively with the Forest Education Initiative Cluster and Active Schools co-ordinator through local authorities in promoting use of the forest for outdoor education.

Yes As above.

Continue more self-led use of the forest by education groups, rather than continued dependence on our services, in particularly the primary sector.

Yes As above.

Engage as priorities with secondary schools interested in working with us in developing young people’s connection with the forest. Schools close to forest sites that show an interest in developing an ongoing connection with their local forest. Individuals with specific learning, behavioural or physical health constraints who would benefit from a forest experience.

Yes All programmes maintained as per targets.

Work with FCS Moray, Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City and Cairngorms National Park to seek opportunities to develop new community woodlands around major settlements.

No No opportunities have arisen for development of new woodlands. Aberdeen City Council has progressed its own initiative, primarily using land at Tullos Hill.

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ACCESS & HEALTH

Maintain an annual events or ‘What’s On’ programme to provide information on programmed events.

Yes Fully achieved.

Maintain. and where possible, enhance facilities in the key woodlands in and around towns to meet demand from the significant urban or peri-urban population, particularly around Aberdeen. Where possible we will work in partnership with other agencies and voluntary groups.

Partial Existing facilities have been maintained to a high standard. No new opportunities have arisen. Wider funding constraints have impacted on some opportunities. e.g. SAMH.

Develop, renew and maintain a recreation strategy that will guide policy implementation and investment.

Yes Fully achieved.

Undertake a programme of planned maintenance to make sure that facilities are safe, fit for purpose and contribute to a positive experience on the NFE.

Yes Facilities have been and continue to be reviewed to enable resources to be targeted at a smaller number of key sites. There is an ongoing round of inspection, maintenance and replacement.

Work with access authorities to enable the delivery of the core paths plan.

Yes Fully achieved.

Apply an open access policy fully compliant with the provisions of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and seek to deliver a best practice approach to closures arising from operational activity.

Yes Achieved, including some trial developments for revised site signage and site induction management.

Work with access stakeholders to seek to deliver appropriate access provision that avoids conflict between user groups.

Partial There are ongoing issues regarding user group interaction which are intermittently problematic at higher volume sites.

Look for opportunities to influence public transport policy and provisions to make it easier for people to visit forest blocks using public transport.

Partial There is increasing recognition of the benefits of an integrated public transport network but access to a private car is still the primary mechanism.

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Use partnership working and specific events to promote access for health benefits, encouraging health providers, support groups and people with physical or mental health issues to make use of the forest environment. The positive benefits of access to the forest environment are widely recognised in countering social exclusion, which is perhaps more widespread in the District than social deprivation.

Partial Key initiative with SAMH has been lost owing to funding constraints. An embryonic relationship is under development with ‘Greenfingers’, an initiative to assist health improvement through environmental activity.

Continue to work with Grampian NHS Trust’s ‘Paths to Health’ initiative co-ordinator to increase the use of the forest targeting specifically people with a physical or mental health issue.

Partial It is apparent that the demand is limited as the groups tend to work within an urban environment.

Maintain support for the SAMH initiative for practical volunteer delivery.

No External funding was removed and the group were no longer viable.

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Develop forest plans that take into account the impact of woodland on soil, water and air quality. We will work with SEPA and other agencies to support achievement of good environmental quality for water.

Yes All FDPs are compliant with this guidance and best policy application.

Undertake all forest operations in accordance with FCS’s water and soils guidelines. We will adopt a fallow ground and a chemical reduction strategy.

Yes Fully achieved.

Adopt alternative to clearfell (ATC) or low impact silvicultural systems (LISS) where practicable, to mitigate the effects of erosion or siltation.

Yes The FD maintains a high proportion of ATC/LISS prescription,

Progress implementation of a Greenerways Strategy to reduce vehicle-related carbon emissions by 5% and buildings energy by 3% a year in each of the three

Yes Achieved,

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years commencing –2008-09.

Take account of landscape issues in developing forest plans, in accordance with guidance and consultation from in-house advisors. The SNH landscape character assessment will provide a useful source of reference.

Yes Achieved.

Adopt ATC and LISS where feasible to reduce the landscape impacts associated with clearfell and restock, particularly in areas of high landscape value.

Yes Achieved.

Progress naturalisation of woodlands, where possible, taking into account site, species and silvicultural context.

Partial Initiative has been compromised by impacts associated with DNB eradication strategy.

Consider the impact of windfarms as part of planning policy and the potential for improvements arising from opportunities to restructure.

Ye s Fully achieved with extant windfarms, there will be further opportunities as the current renewable programme is implemented.

Maintain all designated scheduled ancient monument sites in accordance with management plans agreed with Historic Scotland.

Yes Fully achieved.

Consider the cultural and historical interests during pre operations site inspection for Work Plans, including recreational, renewables or environmental projects. A contract archaeologist will be available for specific investigations and to provide management advice in conjunction with in-house expertise and tailored training programmes.

Yes Fully achieved with support from contract archaeologist.

Provide detailed information about features of historic or cultural interest to machine operators using the geographic information system Timber Navi, and contractors and merchants to make sure that work is

Yes Systems have been maintained with good compliance. Some further developments may be necessary on standing sales work.

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undertaken in accordance with agreed management prescriptions.

Continue to work with partners to safeguard and where possible enhance or interpret features of cultural or historic interest.

Yes Achieved.

BIODIVERSITY

Incorporate provision for forest habitat networks into forest plans to improve biodiversity and assist species movement.

Yes Delivered through incorporation of environmental objectives in FDPs.

Take into account the needs of priority species by incorporating into forest plans appropriate prescriptions from habitat action plans and species action plans. Particular priorities include red squirrel, capercaillie, black grouse, juniper, twinflower and Lepidoptera.

Yes Appropriate prescriptions are incorporated in FDP reviews. Conservation team inputs to work plans reflect delivery of priority species.

Incorporate management appropriate to UK and local biodiversity action plans into forest plans where relevant, but all plans will seek to provide for general biodiversity enhancement.

Yes As above.

Undertake to survey, and where possible, restrict or eradicate invasive species, mapping and controlling hemlock and rhododendron.

Partial Programmes are in place but have also required to account for giant hogweed and Himalayan balsam.

Implement a three-year contract for control of grey squirrel in accordance with identification of red squirrel stronghold sites. Forest plans will take into account opportunities to improve habitat for red squirrel and curtail the spread of greys.

Yes Contract has been maintained, red squirrel strongholds identified and management prescriptions implemented.

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Support the establishment of monitoring protocols for American mink and consider future management based on the survey results.

Yes Monitoring programme in place.

Take into account the requirement of species and habitat action plans in developing forest plans. We will work with other partners to seek to deliver species or habitat specific management actions.

Yes Species and Habitat action plan requirements are incorporated in FDPs and Work Plans.

Maintain and review annually a deer management strategy to achieve ecological objectives and aid timber production.

Partial Deer management strategy has not been reviewed but there is an overarching consultation on deer management delivery. Broadleaves and soft conifers continue to require protection.

Manage all designated sites in accordance with agreed management plans, with the objective of securing favourable condition wherever possible.

Yes Active programme of management intervention has been maintained with tree removal and dune habitat improvements key outcomes.

Manage all plantations on ancient woodland sites in accordance with agreed management plans. Restoration will be progressed appropriately to maximise the ecological returns.

Yes Ongoing programme maintained.

Seek opportunities to improve awareness and knowledge through interpretation, organised events and site specific opportunities, such as might be relevant to the Huntly Peregrine Wildwatch Centre.

Partial Opportunities have been constrained by the closure of the Huntly Peregrine Wildwatch Centre but activity is maintained by comms/education rangers.

Working in conjunction with other partners, continue to gather information from survey protocols and site inspections, and maintain an up-to-date record of habitats and species..

Yes Ongoing initiative.

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Provide training opportunities for staff and contractors to ensure that they are equipped to avoid damage to sites and species and exploit opportunities for enhancement.

Yes A diet of update and training is maintained annually.

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Glossary

ASNW Ancient Semi-Natural Woodlands 345

ATC Alternatives to Clearfell

CCF Continuous Cover Forestry

ConFor Confederation of Forest Industries

DSP District Strategic Plans

EQIA Equality Impact Assessment 350

FCS Forestry Commission Scotland

FES Forest Enterprise Scotland

FSC Forest Stewardship Council

GIS Geographic Information Systems

KPI Key Performance Indicator 355

LISS Low Impact Silvicultural Systems

NSA National Scenic Areas

NSD National Strategic Directions

NFE National Forest Estate

OCUK Outdoor Capital of the United Kingdom 360

PAWS Planted Ancient Woodland Sites

PEFC Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification

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RSPB Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

SAC Special Areas of Conservation

SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment 365

SEPA Scottish Environmental Protection Agency

SGRPID Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate

SNH Scottish National Heritage

SOI Sunart Oakwoods Initiative

SSSI Special Sites of Scientific Interest 370

STTF Strategic Timber Transport Fund

UKFPA United Kingdom Forest products Association

WIAT Woods in and Around Towns

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Forestry Commission Scotland serves as part of the Scottish Government's Environment and Forestry Directorate and is responsible to Scottish Ministers. Forest Enterprise Scotland is an agency of Forestry Commission Scotland charged with managing the National Forest 375 Estate. Contact Forest Enterprise Scotland Head Office 380 1 Highlander Way Inverness IV2 7GB Tel: 01463 232 811 Fax: 01463 243 846 385 E-mail: fescotland@forestry.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland If you need this publication in an alternative format, for example, in large print or in another language, please contact: 390 The Diversity Team Forestry Commission Scotland Silvan House 231 Corstorphine Road 395 Edinburgh EH12 7AT Tel: 0131 314 6575 E-mail: diversity@forestry.gsi.gov.uk