A 2-day course (16-17th September) is now advertised, giving attendees a chance to get an introduction to Continuous Cover Forestry as a principle and options for putting it into practice in Dumfries & Galloway.

Future Woodlands Scotland are supporting the delivery of a two-day Continuous Cover Forestry training course on 16-17 September, in partnership with Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands and The Silviculture Academy.  The course will provide an introduction to Continuous Cover Forestry and how it can be implemented in South West Scotland context.

Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) is one option to improve resilience, biodiversity and multifunctionality in Scotland’s forests compared to conventional clear-fell forestry. Yet it is currently estimated to be used in only 5% of Britain’s forests, compared to an average of 22% across Europe. A shortage of professionals confident in delivering CCF is a major barrier to wider adoption. This course will help address this skills gap in South West Scotland.

Despite these recognised benefits, South West Scotland has long experienced a widespread regional hesitation toward CCF. This stems from concerns surrounding severe wind hazard exposure, wet peaty soils, and the predominance of unthinned Sitka spruce plantations across upland landscapes. 

Delivered by Professor Edward Wilson (Silviculture Academy), in partnership with Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands and Future Woodlands Scotland (https://futurewoodlands.org.uk/), this practical 2-day course provides a realistic, evidence-based roadmap for CCF in Dumfries & Galloway.

The Course is hosted by Barwhillanty Estate near Parton, in their new ‘Pavilion’ events venue. The course booking fee of £100 includes lunch on both days. The ticket price is subsidised from that normally charged thanks to input from partners.

For all info and to book your place, visit: https://silvicultureacademy.org.uk/ccf-in-dumfries-and-galloway

The course is led by Professor Ted Wilson. Looking ahead to the event, Ted said:

“Continuous Cover Forestry isn’t just an alternative, its the future of resilient woodland management. Teaming up with Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands and Future Woodlands Scotland allows us to deliver hands on, transformational training right in the heart of Scotland’s Forestry Capital.”

McNabb Laurie from Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands added:

“It is brilliant to be able to offer this training programme here in the region, hosted by one of our region’s most exciting new venues. We are getting involved in a wide range of tree-related projects, and are excited to be working with The Silviculture Academy and Future Woodlands Scotland to better understand this CCF topic in a Dumfries & Galloway context.“

Kieran Leigh-Moy from Future Woodlands Scotland:

“We’re really keen to be supporting this initiative to build CCF skills in Dumfries & Galloway- the breadbasket of productive forestry in Scotland. The course should raise awareness and upskill professionals to deliver CCF-type forest management, building on the work of our existing Thinning for CCF training programme’”