🎧 Listen to Ep 8: Let’s Talk Better Forestry with Jez Ralph to hear the full discussion on why we need to be more "bullish" about quality timber.
www.forestpolicygroup.org/news/episode...
As Jez puts it, we have a duty to stand up for the forests we are responsible for - managing them for the health of the woodland, not just the demands of a narrow commodity market.
FPG's recent manifesto (www.forestpolicygroup.org/fpg-manifest...) calls for grants that reward thinning and permanent forest structures. Jez’s work shows that if we manage for quality, we create the "sticky money" the Manifesto highlights - keeping 80% of spending within 50 miles of the forest.
The Quality Model: Jez argues for a "centre ground" where we manage for the long term. By allowing trees to grow beyond the 30cm ceiling, we unlock higher-value timber suitable for construction and architecture - the kind of timber that stores carbon in our buildings for centuries.
The Commodity Model: Built for speed, volume, and uniformity. Much of our modern infrastructure and upland plantation management is designed to process 30cm spruce as quickly as possible. It is efficient for pallets and fencing, but it often ignores the potential of the "top of the tree."
This reveals a fundamental tension in our sector: The Commodity vs Quality Split.
In South Devon, many foresters would look at a 30cm diameter log and see a tree that hasn't even reached its adolescence. Yet, in the broader UK industrial market, a tree of that size is often considered "overstood" and ready for clear-felling.
In our latest "Let's Talk Better Forestry" podcast episode, Jez Ralph of Evolving Forests highlighted a striking regional divide in how we view the "maturity" of our woodlands.
Read the full update here: www.forestpolicygroup.org/news/6th-edi...
#Forestry #Scotland #EnvironmentalResearch #CommunityWoodlands #ForestManagement #Innovation
Research & Innovation: Summaries of new studies from the University of Stirling on soil carbon and the launch of the Future Woodlands Scotland Research and Innovation Grant.
Operational Guidance: Updates on new technical notes from Scottish Forestry regarding regional forestry strategies and a roadmap for community engagement in the consents process.
Community Forestry in Action: A look at the "keystone lease" at Glaisters Bridge and the "Woodlands Plus" framework, which explores adding social and ecological value to commercial sites.
Key Highlights from this Edition:
Collaborative Dialogue: Highlights from the "Let's Talk Better Forestry" podcast, featuring discussions with Alan McDonnell (Trees for Life) and Stuart Goodall (CEO of Confor) on finding common ground between different forestry models.
This issue focuses on bridging the gap between industrial forestry and community-led initiatives through professional dialogue and site-specific innovation.
The wait is over. The March edition of the FPG Quarterly Newsletter has arrived!
The 6th edition of the Forest Policy Group (FPG) Quarterly Newsletter is now available, featuring a comprehensive look at recent developments in Scotland’s forestry sector.
McNabb also discusses a groundbreaking new Regional Community Added Value Agreement. This 3-year, £120,000 partnership with private investors (Foresight and EJD Forestry) aims to scale community-led projects across seven or eight existing woodlands in the region.
In the latest episode of the Let’s Talk Better Forestry podcast, host Morag Paterson sits down with McNabb Laurie, Lead Officer of Dumfries and Galloway (D&G) Woodlands, to discuss how they are redefining the relationship between large-scale timber interests and local communities.
Is the forestry sector finally growing up? 🌲
In our latest episode of Let’s Talk Better Forestry, host Morag Paterson is joined by Stuart Goodall, Chief Executive of Confor, to discuss the "growing pains" of Scottish forestry. 🎧 Listen here: www.forestpolicygroup.org/news/ep-6-wi...
Morag Paterson talks with Alan McDonald, co-convener of the Forest Policy Group and Head of Nature Restoration at Trees for Life, about forestry, nature restoration, and policy in Scotland. Check out the podcast and the video here: www.forestpolicygroup.org/news/ep-5-le...
🌲 Join us in Kirkhill, Beauly on [date] for a day exploring Continuous Cover Forestry. Morning at Craggach Woods, afternoon of discussion + ideas. Book here 👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ccf-in-act...
I look forward to presenting results of my latest research into forest ownership at this webinar on 17 February. Should be interesting @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/fore...
🌲 Join us in Kirkhill, Beauly on [date] for a day exploring Continuous Cover Forestry. Morning at Craggach Woods, afternoon of discussion + ideas. Book here 👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ccf-in-act...
Another excellent contribution to the forestry world by FPG!
We are delighted to announce our next webinar offering: "Who Owns Scotland's Forests and Does it Matter?" Wednesday 17th September, 10-12 noon.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/who-owns-s...
Episode 2 of "Let's Talk Better Forestry" has now landed! Tune in and listen to independent forester Andrew Macqueen join Morag Paterson to share the variety in his day-to-day work, and the experimental approaches he’s exploring.
Worth a listen!
www.forestpolicygroup.org/news/ep-2-le...
Another great event from @thesoilassociation.bsky.social ⬇️
youtu.be/nfyUwyI0BFc
This is a fascinating listen, available on all of your usual podcast channels—just search for "Let's Talk Better Forestry" to find us. You can also watch the interview on FPG's YouTube channel via the link in the next comment.
We are delighted to announce that we officially launched our first podcast episode today!
"Let's Talk Better Forestry" podcasts begin with a conversation with Claire Wightman, forester at TreeStory. Morag Paterson interviews Claire to hear all about what "Better Forestry" means to her.
If you missed FPG's CCF webinar, then you can catch up on the recording, the slide-deck and the chat content here!
www.forestpolicygroup.org/silviculture...
