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SAC’s free advice to farmers will help make Central Scotland greener

SAC News Release Ref. No: 10N83
Published: 06 Oct 2010

SAC is helping to make Central Scotland a greener place by offering free advice to farmers about increasing the number of trees on their land.

With farms covering a large area of Central Scotland, there are numerous potential benefits to encouraging farmers to develop more properly managed woodland. The farmers can achieve financial gains from selling good quality timber while trees can provide an effective means of sheltering crops and livestock from the elements. Increased woodland can contribute to the health and wellbeing of the wider population by providing attractive places for people to visit or exercise, improve biodiversity and air quality and help Scotland reach its carbon reduction targets.

Recognising these benefits, the Central Scotland Green Network, backed by Forestry Commission Scotland, has provided funding for SAC Woodland Consultant Jennifer Greaves to help farmers consider tree planting schemes on appropriate areas of their land. Advice on offer covers the best types of trees to plant, where to plant them, how to maintain them and the grants available to help towards the costs.

Jennifer said: “The cost of hiring a consultant can be prohibitive for some farmers so we hope that by offering free visits and advice they will be able to develop and increase the woodland on their farms and that they and others living in the area will benefit as a result.”

FCS Development Officer John Farrell said: “Increasing Scottish woodland’s value to society and the environment is what the Forestry Commission Scotland is all about so we are pleased to be supporting this beneficial project which we hope will help towards the Scottish Government targets of at least a 50% increase in woodland cover.”

Any landowners or farmers who have thought about putting in an area of trees (minimum area 0.25ha) and who would like some independent advice should call Jennifer Greaves on 0131 535 3011 or e-mail jennifer.greaves@sac.co.uk.

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News Release Contacts

SAC Contact

Ms Jennifer Greaves
Woodlands Consultant
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC Environmental, Pentland Building, Bush Estate,
Penicuik
EH26 0PH
TelWork 0131 535 3011
MobileWork 07827 239335
Fax 0131 535 3031

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News Release Issued By

Ms Jane Smernicki
Head of Communications
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4331

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