woods in and around towns - the story so far...gardeners (slug) have secured 17 allotments on forest...

WOODS IN AND AROUND TOWNS

THE STORY SO FAR

WIAT

A report on achievements and developments to date

THE STORY SO FAR…

In the first six years of our Woods In and Around Towns Programme, we have created 1,400 hectares of new woodland, helped more than 610,000 people gain access to their local woodland, seen social returns on investment of £7 for every £1 invested in some areas and achieved positive feedback from local residents: “It’s great to see more people getting out and about as this brings a better vibe”; and, as one volunteer put it, “…now you’re more likely to see a bird on a branch than a burnt out car.”

This report illustrates how these six years of WIAT work have already played a significant role in improving the quality of life of people living and working in Scotland’s towns and cities.

It’s this transformational effect on the lives of people living in urban Scotland that we’re most proud of.

www.forestry.gov.uk/wiat WIAT NEXT STEPS 1

WIAT’S ROOTS

The WIAT programme was originally launched in August 2005.

WHAT’S IT All AbOUT?

Forestry Commission Scotland is committed to improving the quality of life of Scotland’s people, by working towards improving the health and wellbeing of people living in towns and cities.

At its core the WIAT programme has provided the focus for:

•Creatingnewurbanwoodlandinplaces wherepeoplelive.

•Bringingneglectedurbanwoodland intoactivemanagement.

•Workingwithpeopletohelpthem usetheirlocalwoodland.

2

Ithasseentwosuccessfulprojectphases,offeringfundingandsupportforurbanwoodlanddevelopmentandimprovement. 11,000

hectares of existing woodland brought under management since 2005.That is 10 times the area of existing woodland in the city of Glasgow.

www.forestry.gov.uk/wiat WIAT NEXT STEPS 3

WHAT’S WIAT?

WIAT woods are close to where people live and work within 1km of settlements of over 2,000 people. These are the woods that are local to a large proportion of the Scottish population offering opportunities for informal everyday use. They provide the backdrop to people’s lives, playing a role in improving the quality of residential neighbourhoods and improving the look and feel of areas blighted by industrial heritage.

WHY WOODS?

Woods are an important element of Scotland’s greenspace. Well managed and accessible woods contribute towards the sustainable development of Scotland.

Woodland is a good land use for providing benefits to people because it:

• Is relatively robust and able to cope with a lot of use;

• Is highly visible in the landscape;

• Is three dimensional, varied and able to absorb lots of people;

• Provides shade, shelter and noise reduction;

• Intercepts some pollutants and air particulates;

• Changes with the seasons yet operates over a timescale of decades;

• Can provide products such as timber or wild harvest;

• Has a long historic and cultural association with people; and

• Helps to reduce stress levels and promote restorative health benefits and calmness.

Key health and social benefits delivered by urban forestry include:

• Long and short term physical benefits associated with increased life expectancy and reduced obesity, heart rate and blood pressure;

• Cognitive benefits associated with restoration, mood and self esteem;

• Physical activity benefits associated with the use of green space;

• Self-reported benefits in terms of health and life satisfaction; and

• Community benefits through social contact.

4

HOW HAS WIAT EvOlvED?

Since its launch in 2005, WIAT has evolved from focusing on developing opportunities as they arose to being mainstreamed in all of Scotland’s urban areas.

Pre-WIAT

2005–2008

• Nodedicated funding

• Reactive management

• Urbanwoods an under valued resource

PHASE I START UP

•Adhocandopportunistic pathfinders

•Rapidexpansionin project numbers

•Hugemomentum generated

•Partnershipsestablished to support delivery

THE EvOlUTION OF WIAT

Since WIAT’s launch, it has developed through discussion and consultation with Scotland’s urban woodland owners and managers.

Originally it was designed to meet the need for co-ordinated action to address:

• A lack of understanding and appreciation of the positive benefits of woods for people in towns and cities;

• The growing neglect of urban woodlands; and

• The ad hoc nature of funding preventing planned management of woods.

Since then WIAT has evolved from focusing on opportunities as they arose to being a widely adopted and embedded way of working in Scotland’s urban areas.

A huge part of WIAT’s success is the widespread buy-in from urban woodland and greenspace managers, planners and others involved in regenerating Scotland’s urban communities.

5

2008–2011

2011–2014

PHASE IIMAINSTREAM

•Programmebecame embedded in FCS and key partners

•Startedtorefine priorities and more targeting introduced

•Expansioninsocial forestry activities and projects e.g. health, education and volunteering

>below you’ll see how the programme has developed:

www.forestry.gov.uk/wiat WIAT NEXT STEPS

PHASE III TARGET AND CONSOlIDATE

•Sustainingthelegacy

•Maintainingcontinuity

•Addressingresource constraints through innovation

6

The WIAT programme is a Scotland-wide initiative. It has seen over £50 million of FCS funds invested in improving the delivery of public benefits from urban woods.

Part of that funding has gone to over 150 projects through the bespoke WIAT Challenge Fund grant. This has resulted in over 11,000 hectares of neglected woodland being bought back into active management.

Successful Challenge Fund projects are located across Scotland from the main urban areas of Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh to the smaller settlements of Oban, Galashiels and Fort William.

Additional grant funding has been available for the creation of new urban woods with over 1,400 hectares being planted since 2005.

Another main delivery mechanism is Forest Enterprise Scotland (FES) – a direct management agency of FCS. FES has added over 4,000 hectares to the national forest estate through partnership agreements for existing woods and by purchasing land for the creation of new urban woods.

The following map identifies all the activity supported under the programme and highlights the following projects:

Forres Funding to help improve local WIAT woodland and deliver an outreach programme including Forest School, development of a mountain biking trail, and skills development e.g. chainsaw training.

Ninewells Hospital 23 hectares of woodland being developed as an alternative space for the treatment of patients and to improve the working environment for staff.

Greenlink The project has focused on social regeneration of the local area through activities which have helped improve the health, mental well-being and skills of the local people.

1 Fort William Working with Forestry Commission Scotland, the Sunny Lochaber United Gardeners (SLUG) have secured 17 allotments on forest land in Cowhill, very close to Fort William.

Craigmillar 62 hectares of woodland in Edinburgh now under active management. The location for an on-going programme of community engagement including Forest School and greenspace on referral.

Windyhill Forestry Commission Scotland bought Windyhill to create new WIAT woodlands, leading to a local network of welcoming woodland on people’s doorsteps.

2 River Don Woods 40 hectares of riparian woodland in Aberdeen City - woodland management, footpath improvement and a community outreach programme have been delivered.

Cuningar Loop 30 hectare brownfield land site. Forestry Commission Scotland plans to develop the site as the main urban greenspace for the surrounding communities - part of the Commonwealth Games Community Forest.

Galashiels WIAT has funded the completion of an accessible pathway surrounding Galashiels for local people and visitors to use and enjoy the WIAT woods.

3

4 5 6

7 8 9

7www.forestry.gov.uk/wiat WIAT NEXT STEPS

Current FCS support forWoods In and Around Towns

© Crown copyright and database right 2011.Ordnance Survey Licence number 100021242.

Challenge Fund Schemes Approved

Funding for urban woodland management (WIAT Challenge Fund)

Woodland creation to improve quality and setting of urban or post-industrial areas (SFGS P4)

WIAT woods in the National Forest Estate

Central Scotland Forest

Towns of over 2000 people with a 1km buffer

OBAN PERTH

DUNDEE

ABERDEEN

EDINBURGH

INVERNESS

DUMFRIES

GLASGOW

4

1

2

9

568 7

3

CURRENT FCS SUPPORT FOR WOODS IN AND AROUND TOWNS© Crown copyright and database right 2011Ordnance Survey Licence number 100021242

KEY

Funding for urban woodland management (WIAT Challenge Fund)

Woodland creation

WIAT woods on the National Forest Estate

Towns of over 2,000 people with a 1km buffer

WIAT WORKS

The programme has achieved or exceeded all of its initial goals and been the foundation for positive change.

What is really worth emphasising is the positive impact on local people working in, visiting and helping us care for the woodlands.

8

“We’veseengradualbutveryreal changesoverthelastfewyears andithasbeenimportanttokeep thelocalcommunitiesinvolved.” Liz Stewart, Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust

“ Ihaveworkedwithindividualsin variouswoodlandsaroundthecity andknowofmenwhohavetaken theirfamiliesbacktoshowthem whattheyhavedoneandcan show it with pride. ” Gary Dawson, Principal Community Learning Worker, Tillydrone Youth Project

“ Igetgreatsatisfactionfrom volunteeringfortheprojectand feelthatourworkimprovesthe environmentforthelocalpeople toenjoy.” Brendan McGhee, Greenlink Volunteer

A STORY OF SUCCESS


10

25% of WIAT woodland has received financial support to develop management plans, undertake physical improvements and/or engage local people in woodland-based activities(1).

ACHIEvEMENTS SO FAR

On average 40% of local Authority owned woodland in Scotland is now under management(1).

Research shows that WIAT projects can contribute to improving the quality of life of local communities either through:

a) physical improvements that encourage more people to use woods regularly; or

b) the involvement of local people in woodland activities, helping them to become familiar with the woodland and develop a sense of ownership(2).

1,400 hectares of new woodland has been created in the WIAT area equivalent to a doubling of the area of all the woodland in the City of Glasgow(4).

The development of green networks and in particular, the Central Scotland Green Network, is seen as priority by Scottish Government and local Authorities(4).

11

(1) McPhillimy D & Associates (2010). Status of Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT) – survey of urban woodland managers (2004 & 2010).

(2) Openspace (2010) Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT): Comparison of perceptions and use of woodlands pre and post-intervention (2006-2009).

(3) Woodland Trust (2010). Space for people: targeting action for woodland access.

(4) FCS (2011). WIAT Annual Report 2010/11.


FCS has acquired over

4,000 hectares

of land to support delivery of the programme’s objectives(4).

WIAT managers are now able to proactively plan the management of urban woods(1).

A greater proportion of the population now live within

500m of an accessible woodland – an additional

610,000 people have access to a local woodland(3).

A strategic WIAT partnership has been established in each of the main urban areas in Scotland i.e. Glasgow & the Clyde valley, Edinburgh and the lothians, Aberdeen, Dundee, and Stirling and Clackmannanshire(4).

Development Plans are actively promoting urban woodland e.g. Glasgow and the Clyde valley Strategic Development Plan, South East Scotland Strategic Development Plan(4).

400km of new or upgraded footpaths. That would reach from Glasgow to the north coast of Scotland(4).

WIAT IN ACTION… REAl lIFE EXAMPlES

12

13

DRUMCHAPEl WOODS: MONITORING CHANGE OvER TIME

The WIAT Project in the woods of Drumchapel, Glasgow, was the focus of detailed evaluation over a three year period.

The evaluation noted…

“ …significantimprovements inenvironmentalquality [weredetected],mostevident intheBluebellwoodsection, intheformofimprovedaccess andevidenceofincreased activityanduse. ”

Openspace 2010

The project aimed to:

• Engage people in their local woods

• Deliver physical improvements to encourage greater use. For example, path re-surfacing, improved entrance designs, litter clearance and opening up of sight lines throughout the wood.

The impact of this work was independently assessed and included an environmental audit of the woods before works started. This was repeated three years afterwards. The audits were carried out by Landscape Architects at the same time of year.


14

CASTlEMIlK MAP PACK: lIvE IT, bREATHE IT, WAlK IT

The map pack was a project by the people, for the people. Piloted by Forestry Commission Scotland in partnership with Paths to Health and Castlemilk Environmental Trust, it included asking local people to help design and develop maps and walking routes around Glasgow’s Castlemilk area. The project monitored the positive impact of these maps on the numbers of local people using the walking routes.

“ It’sgreattoseemorepeoplegettingoutandaboutasthisbringsabettervibe. ” Local Resident

A follow-up survey in 2009 recorded a 3.7% increase in individual use of the walks; exceeding the recommended levels of physical activity (1%) set by the Scottish Government.

15

GREENlINK

Greenlink is a 7km cycle path creating a direct route from Strathclyde Country Park to Motherwell Town Centre. The Greenlink Project is now in its second three-year phase of activity, with partnership support and funding from Forestry Commission Scotland, North lanarkshire Council, Central Scotland Forest Trust, the Robertson Trust, Paths to Health and latterly the ASDA Foundation.

“ Nowyou’remorelikely toseeabirdonabranch thanaburntoutcar. ” Volunteer

The first year of the project saw the creation of the lit, tarmac cycle way and the upgrading of some adjoining walkways. There is an ongoing programme of woodland management, conservation and community events, developed in partnership with the communities along the route.

But does it make any difference? In 2009, a Social Return on Investment analysis was carried out on the conservation and volunteering activities taking place in the woodlands surrounding the cycle path.

The process involved all key stakeholders in developing an impact map for the project. This showed the relationship between inputs, outputs and outcomes and how a monetary value of impact is then arrived at. The calculation for the conservation volunteering programme gave a social return of £7 for every £1 invested.


16

GlASGOW ClYDE vAllEY GREEN NETWORK PARTNERSHIP

Formed in June 2007, the Glasgow Clyde valley Green Network Partnership (GCvGNP) is a strategic WIAT partnership aimed at making the Glasgow metropolitan region one of Europe’s most attractive places to live, work and play, through the creation of a large, functional green network.

The Partnership co-ordinates action at a strategic level, ensuring local activity fits the big picture and that all projects contribute to the GCV Green Network. The eight regional authorities come together in the project , as well as Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Government Housing and Regeneration Directorate, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Glasgow Centre for Population Health.

A monitoring and evaluation framework has been developed to provide robust data on the added value created by the Partnership in the delivery of the GCV Green Network Vision. The framework uses measures such as the number of stakeholders that are aware of and / or use information, guidance and strategies produced through projects delivered under the Partnership.

An interim analysis carried out in January 2010 shows 73% of stakeholders feel GCVGNP projects are relevant to their organisation, with 69% having used the outputs from them.

18

MORE EvIDENCE THAT WIAT WORKS

From a survey of the main WIAT owners and managers in Scotland, strong evidence came through of the significant contribution of the WIAT programme to woodland improvements in local authority areas (21 Councils out of 32, eight third sector organisations and one private estate responded to the survey).Source: McPhillimy D and Associates (2010) Status of Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT) – survey of urban woodland managers (2004 and 2010).

Main findings:

• Respondents believe that WIAT funding has resulted in a large increase in woodland management.

• 60% of those Councils responding have 40% or more of their woodland under active-management.

• The WIAT Challenge Fund makes up 60% of Council and 70% of NGO investment in urban woodland.

• A greater level of community engagement is evident e.g. increase in the number of Friends groups involved in projects.

• There is a perceived increase in use of urban woodlands by the general public and schools.

• There is an increase in the average number of full time equivalents involved with urban woodlands (In 2004, it was two full time equivalents; by 2010, it was six).

• In 2004 land use planners were leading on urban woodland issues in the Local Authorities - in 2010 woodland managers were leading (indicating the shift from strategic planning to project delivery).

“ WhenIusedtobringmychildrenhere 20 years ago, this was awasteland.Nowit’saplacewhereyoucanwalk,bringyourfriends,listentothebirds ” John Knox, Treasurer, Craigmillar Woodland Action Group

20

WIAT DElIvERY

21

FOR FORESTRY COMMISSION SCOTlAND, THERE ARE FIvE MAIN DElIvERY MECHANISMS:

Information and guidance for practitioners.

Appropriate levels of regulation.

Creation and availability of incentives.

Public sector services and partnership working.

Direct delivery on the ground.

12345


1 Information and guidance

Mechanism

• Urban Woodland Design Course developed in Spring 2010 and being run quarterly.

• Forestry and Woodland Strategy advice published in Summer 2010 in the form of a Guidance Document: The Right Tree in the Right Place.

• The ongoing work to establish a strong link with the land use planning system and its regulatory processes has resulted in supportive references for the WIAT programme in the statutory National Planning Framework 2.

• No bespoke regulation has been required.

• Developed and delivered the WIAT and Forestry for People Challenge Funds (funding for managing existing woodland and community involvement), plus the Community Woodland Contribution (additional funds for creating urban woods).

• Supported the establishment of strategic partnerships in the main urban areas e.g. Glasgow and Clyde Valley, Lothians and Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire, Dundee and Aberdeen.

• Worked with partners to develop and establish the Central Scotland Green Network Initiative.

• Delivered health, education and community engagement partnership projects e.g. Branching Out and Forest School. Branching Out is Forestry Commission Scotland’s award winning mental health programme, developed in conjunction with NHS Scotland and Area Health Boards.

• Purchased areas of land for woodland creation in the WIAT area (an additional 4,000 hectares), as part of the Forestry Commission Scotland repositioning programme. This uses funds from the sale of land and forests contributing least to FCS objectives to acquire and plant new woodlands delivering greater public benefits.

• Developed partnerships to manage urban woodland owned by others. e.g. Easterhouse and Drumchapel woods through an agreement with Glasgow City Council.

• As a model of good practice FCS continues to improve the management of WIAT woodland on publicly owned forests in Scotland.

Outputs (2005–2011)

2 Regulation

3 Incentives

4 Public sector services

5 Direct delivery (by FCS management agency Forest Enterprise Scotland)

WIAT DElIvERY

22

WHO HAS bEEN INvOlvED?

Delivering the programme has been a collective effort.

Over 130 different partners have been involved in the different stages of the programme’s development and delivery including Government Agencies, non-Government Organisations and, in particular, urban local Authorities. And this wouldn’t be a success without the input and enthusiasm of the local people.

We’re proud to be part of a programme that really is a partnership effect.


24

WHAT’S NEXT FOR WIAT?

25

WIAT’s future relevance and impact will depend on the lessons of the first six years being taken forward into the future. The next stage of the programme, which will build on the foundation of the first six years, covers the three-year period 2011-14.

The future WIAT programme will need to address these key issues:

• Sustaining the legacy – building on the foundations developed so far and maintaining the effort;

• Providing continuity for woodland managers – refreshing, updating and continuing to develop guidance and support;

• Demonstrating the role of urban woods in combating the impacts of climate change and supporting economic regeneration; and

• Ensuring delivery models remain ‘fit for purpose’ – maintaining a flexible approach to the development of the WIAT programme and focusing on partnership working.



FORESTRY COMMISSION SCOTlAND AND THE WORK WE UNDERTAKE

Forestry Commission Scotland is the forestry directorate of the Scottish Government and is responsible to Scottish Ministers. Our work is centred on improving the lives of people in Scotland by providing a range of social, economic and environmental benefits.

One of our key work programmes for the future is around urban forestry and our Woods In and Around Towns programme is the cornerstone of this. This report shows that WIAT has been firmly established as a mechanism to enhance and transform the quality of life of people living in urban Scotland.

Continuing dialogue with delivery and strategic partners will ensure that WIAT remains fit for purpose and we will be working to ensure that the lessons learned from WIAT’s first six years are taken forward.

The success of the programme so far means we have achieved widespread buy-in from urban woodland and greenspace managers, planners and others involved in regenerating Scotland’s urban communities.

We are proud to have developed and supported WIAT projects for the last six years and we are looking forward to its further development for the benefit of Scotland and its people.

For more information about Forestry Commission Scotland and our role in the WIAT Programme, see: www.forestry.gov.uk/wiat

Forestry Commission Scotland serves as theforestry directorate of the Scottish Governmentand is responsible to Scottish Ministers.

CONTACTForestryCommissionScotlandNationalOfficeSilvanHouse231CorstorphineRoadEdinburghEH127AT

Tel: 01313340303Fax: 0131 314 6152E-mail: [email protected]: www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland

Ifyouneedthispublicationinanalternativeformat,forexampleinlargeprintorinanotherlanguage,pleasecontact:

The Diversity TeamForestryCommissionSilvanHouse231CorstorphineRoadEdinburghEH127AT

Tel: 01313146575E-mail: [email protected]

Publishedby-ForestryCommissionScotland-May2011ISBN9780855388393©CrownCopyright2011

AllphotographyfromForestryCommissionPictureLibraryandAlanPeeblesunlessotherwisestatedFCFC133

woods in and around towns - the story so far...gardeners (slug) have secured 17 allotments on forest...

Documents