Future Woodlands Scotland

16/09/2026

🌳 Extreme heat and flash flooding are becoming the new normal in our cities, so should trees and green spaces now be treated as essential infrastructure?

As cities face more extreme heat, flooding and other climate impacts,

We recently contributed to an article by Joy Macknight in The Dirt Horticulture News exploring the role of green infrastructure in building climate-resilient cities.

The article looks at how parks, street trees, green roofs and rain gardens can cool down urban areas, cut flood risks, boost mental wellbeing, and bring wildlife back to our doorsteps.

It also features inspiring examples including Sheffield's Grey to Green project and Manchester's West Gorton Community Park, showing what's possible when nature is integrated into urban design.

At Future Woodlands Scotland, our Urban Forestry Programme is helping towns and cities in Scotland work towards the 3:30:300 rule:
🌲 3 trees visible from every single home
🌳 30% tree canopy cover in every neighbourhood
🚶 300 meters maximum distance for people to reach a quality green space

Urban nature is critical to making our communities liveable, resilient, and healthy as the climate shifts and you can read all about it in the magazine feature below
👇

Horticulture is more than an urban amenity. As cities face more extreme weather, green infrastructure is increasingly recognised as critical to creating hea ...

15/09/2026

Are we on our way to achieving the 3-30-300 rule? 🌳

Urban forestry and tree canopy cover are getting real attention in Scotland, and we're collaborating with several organisations to bring you a free webinar to help move progress along further!

This Thursday, Future Woodlands Scotland is partnering with the The Woodland Trust Improvement Services and Forth Climate Forest for a webinar exploring recent developments, including the Scottish Government's 23% urban canopy cover target and the role local authorities and others can play in achieving it.

Will you join us and help make a difference?

You'll hear from Scottish Forestry, local authority representatives who are embedding urban forestry into their local development plans, and experts working to deliver urban canopy targets in our towns and cities.

The webinar is free to attend and open to anyone with an interest in creating greener, healthier and more climate-resilient places.

It'd be great to see you there! Book your place here👉 e5204755-4471-4f1b-92dc-2dbb85b9a501@7bbe2037-c3dc-4e87-b17b-6bd2d2271f47?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/e5204755-4471-4f1b-92dc-2dbb85b9a501@7bbe2037-c3dc-4e87-b17b-6bd2d2271f47?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog

04/09/2026

Do you know what happens when communities lead urban greening? Let's take a look!

A local group; Canopy Communities is bringing more trees to Edinburgh neighbourhoods in a more unique way than usual...

The scheme firstly targets the city's lowest canopy cover, helping create greener streets, healthier places and stronger communities within these areas.

Secondly, while this scheme is led by the City of Edinburgh Council, they work in tandem with Granton Community Gardeners, giving this community group a lot of say on a scheme that would often be mostly led by the council.

This community led project is and supported through our Urban Forestry Challenge Fund, and is putting local people at the heart of shaping and caring for their green spaces.

Biulding more green spaces into urban cities and building stronger communities in the process.

➡️ Swipe to learn more.

The full article on this project has been written by Jamie Hall, Human Geography student at the University of Edinburgh, during a work experience placement with Future Woodlands Scotland.

Read the article here: https://futurewoodlands.org.uk/project-in-action-creating-a-nature-network-across-edinburgh/

24/08/2026

Last chance to apply! ⏰

Have you ever wanted to use your financial skills for more than your workday 9-5?

We are looking for a Finance Trustee to join our team, but applications close at 5pm TODAY.

This is a unique opportunity to gain board experience and use your financial expertise to make a difference to the future of Scotland's green spaces.

Scotland is facing an urgent climate and nature crisis, and trees are one of our strongest lines of defence. As a Finance Trustee, you’ll help guide our growing, ambitious team as we work to restore native woodlands, plant trees in urban spaces, and build a greener future.

You don't need decades of executive experience to apply, just strong financial skills, a passion for the environment, and a desire to help guide our mission.

Apply here before the deadline at 5pm! 👉 https://futurewoodlands.org.uk/join-our-board-as-a-finance-trustee/

19/08/2026

Got a great research idea or an innovative project to help Scotland’s woodlands?
You could secure up to £10,000 to bring it to life! 🌳

To tackle the climate and nature crisis, we need fresh ideas, better data, and new ways of protecting our native trees. But we know funding is often the biggest barrier to turning a great idea into real-world action.

Whether you're an early-career researcher, an innovator, or part of a local community project, this grant could give you the boost you need to get off the ground.

What we're looking for:

👉 Research projects that are gathering the vital data we need to manage and restore Scotland's forests.

👉 Innovative ideas that offer creative, practical solutions to boost urban and rural woodland resilience. Whilst we deepen our understanding of native woodlands, we are also open to projects that explore Continuous Cover Forestry and other regenerative silvicultural methods.

Don't let funding hold your project back.

⏳ Application deadline: 23 August
👉 Here is the link to find out more and apply: https://futurewoodlands.org.uk/research-and-engagement/

17/08/2026

Want to use your financial skills to tackle the climate and nature crisis right here in Scotland?🌲

Applications close next week for our Finance Trustee role, a chance to step up, gain executive-level board experience, and directly shape the future of Scotland’s woodlands and urban green spaces.

So, what will the role involve:

🌱 Become one of the 10 members of the Future Woodland's Scotland board who have a diverse range of skills and are passionate about reating, restoring and improving Sctolands green spaces.

🌱 Bringing your strategic mindset, financial expertise and collaborative approach to the table.

🌱 As we enter our next phase of development, you'll play an important role in shaping our future direction and helping us increase our impact across Scotland.

Whether you're an experienced finance professional looking for a meaningful purpose-driven role or ready to take on your first board position, your financial expertise and strategic mindset can make a tangible difference.

The details:
🗓️ Deadline: Monday, 24 August at 5:00 PM
📍 Where to apply: Check the link in the comments below to download the full recruitment pack!

Interested? Find out more and download the recruitment pack: https://futurewoodlands.org.uk/join-our-board-as-a-finance-trustee/

13/08/2026

Want to make a real difference to Scotland’s forests? 🌲

Our woodlands are facing an urgent nature crisis, and building hands-on, sustainable forestry skills is one of the ways we can fix it.

That’s why we’re helping subsidising a two-day Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) course in Dumfries and Galloway.

CCF is an essential approach to forestry management that can help improve biodiversity, protect soils, increase climate resilience and reduce reliance on clear-felling.

Details:
📅 16-17 September 2026
📍 Barwhillanty Estate, Dumfries and Galloway
🎟️ £100 (subsidised rate, including lunch)

If you're looking to level up your skills in climate-positive woodland management, this training is for you.

We are supporting this two-day training course delivered by Silviculture Academy, in partnership with Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands.

Spaces are limited, so if you're interested, make sure to apply here soon:

https://ow.ly/5GL450ZyS1o

11/08/2026

Did you know that your financial expertise could help shape the future of Scotland's woodlands? 😲

We're recruiting a Finance Trustee to join the board at Future Woodlands Scotland and help shape the future of our native trees, wildlife, and local communities.

Whether you're an established finance professional or looking to step into your first board-level role, this is a chance to make a tangible, lasting impact beyond the corporate world.

And if this isn't for you, but you know someone who may be interested, send them this post!

Why join us?

🌱 Drive real impact: This is an opportunity to play a meaningful role in tackling the climate crisis and restoring Scotland’s landscapes

🌱 Grow your career: This is a chance to shape a growing, ambitious environmental charity and gain board-level experience.

🌱 Use your skills for good: Your financial skills have the potential to heavily shape the future of a charity working to restore our woodlands and protect our planet.

Hear directly from our Chair, Dave McCall, in the video below about what the role involves and how your expertise can make a difference.

Applications close on Monday 24th. Full details and apply here: https://futurewoodlands.org.uk/join-our-board-as-a-finance-trustee/

10/08/2026

We're pleased to welcome Morson Vital as a new business partner!

For over 40 years, Morson Vital has been a deployment partner for UK infrastructure, rail, construction, and energy projects.

At Future Woodlands Scotland, their support will help us continue our work to create, restore and protect woodlands across Scotland.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with Future Woodlands Scotland and are supportive of the work they do.”

Michele Milburn – Office Manager Scotland
Scott Mayle – Director of Rail Projects

If you want to learn more about our business partnerships, you can do so here: https://futurewoodlands.org.uk/become-a-partner/

06/08/2026

Ever wondered what your support actually looks like on the ground? 🌳

We recently took a trip to South Lanarkshire with Michael Cobb (Sustainability Advisor at JERA Nex bp) and members of our Urban Forestry Advisory Group to see the real-world impact of our Urban Forestry Programme!

Guided by South Lanarkshire Council's Arboricultural Officer, we saw:
🍃 How tree planting is helping bring more nature into neighbourhoods where canopy cover is low,
🍃 Avenue tree planting in Larkhall and Blantyre
🍃 The new native woodland on nearby playing fields.
🍃 A new community tree nursery, where people are gaining practical skills and experience while helping to grow and care for future trees

As Michael put it: "It was great so see the beginnings of long-term benefits to the environment and local communities from the UFP’s work and genuinely heart-warming to hear the sincere gratitude from the Council for the difference the UFP funding has made to their tree planting work."

Projects like these are among many being delivered through Future Woodlands Scotland's Urban Forestry Programme, a partnership initiative with JERA Nex bp. Together, they're helping bring more trees and nature to communities across Scotland.