Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme - SFGS Following publication of the Scottish Executive’s Scottish Forestry Strategy 'Forests for Scotland' the opportunity was taken to review the Woodland Grant Scheme and the Farm Woodland Premium Scheme and give them a greater Scottish focus. The Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme (SFGS) - encouraged the creation and management of woods and forests to provide economic, environmental and social benefits. Grants were available under three main areas: - Grants for woodland expansion - creating new woodlands. - Restocking grants, for replanting following felling. - Stewardship grants, for a range of activities in existing woodlands. Applications for SFGS grants started in June 2003 and closed in August 2006. Most grants for SFGS were based on a percentage of Standard Costs of agreed operations. The Standard Cost took account of the costs of labour, plants, machinery, materials and supervision to do work to the specification as set out in the SFGS Standard Costs and Specifications Booklet. Depending upon the level of public benefit, grant payments were either at 60% or 90% of the Standard Cost. In the case of restocking, Standard Costs were mostly pitched at 75% of the new planting Standard Costs. Grants were available for planting proposals that met one or more of the following objectives: - Establishing well-designed productive woodland. - Expanding areas of native woodland, preferably through natural regeneration and the development of Forest Habitat Networks. - Improving riparian habitat. - Improving the quality and setting of urban or post-industrial areas. - Improving the diversity of the farmed and crofting landscape. Details of all eligible operations are set out within the 'Applicants Booklet' available from Conservancy Offices. ************************SFGS OBJECTIVES**************************** The abbreviations below list the SFGS objectives proposals are designed to meet: Establishment grants P1 to establish well-designed productive forest P2 to expand the area of native woodland P3 to improve a riparian habitat P4 to improve the quality and setting of urban or post-industrial areas P5 to improve the diversity of the farmed/crofting landscape Stewardship Grants S1 to improve timber quality S2 to reduce deer numbers S3 to improve the ecological value of native woodlands S4 to improve woodland biodiversity S5 to enhance landscape value S6 to develop alternative systems to clear-felling S7 to develop woodland recreation S8 to develop community involvement Restocking grants R1 to produce well designed productive forest R2 to restore areas of native woodland R3 to improve riparian habitat R4 to improve the quality and setting of urban or post-industrial areas R5 to improve the diversity of the farmed/crofting landscape Felling F1 Clear felling F2 Selective felling F3 Continuous Cover F4 Thinning Other land OL is not grant aided ************************** SPATIAL DATA ********************************** There are four spatial datasets associated with SFGS. These represent the scheme boundary, management plan boundaries, sub-compartment boundaries and deer fence lines within each approved SFGS scheme. The spatial datasets are related to the GLS database on a 'many to one' basis. This reflects the fact that many operations may occur within one sub-compartment. Data is captured against OS Mastermap. ********************************************************************************** Management Plan Operation References 200 - Reducing deer numbers 300 - Management plan for semi natural woodland 301 - Survey for woodland condition 302 - Biodiversity monitoring 400 - Management plan for semi natural woodland 401 - Survey for woodland condition 402 - Biodiversity monitoring 500 - Landscape design plan 501 - Landscape baseline survey 502 - Landscape monitoring 600 - Alternative system to clearfell. Site survey and stand appraisal. 601 - Management plan to develop alternative system to clearfell 602 - Alternative system to clearfell. Site monitoring. 603 - Alternative system to clearfell. Stand appraisal. 700 - Recreation area management plan 800 - Feasibility assessment 801 - Training/on-going community involvement (CGIS do not capture) 900 - Management Plan 901 - Woodland Survey 902 - Monitoring ************************** SPATIAL DATA ********************************** There are four spatial datasets associated with SFGS. These represent the scheme boundaries, management plan boundaries, sub-compartment boundaries and deer fence lines within each approved SFGS scheme. Each SFGS spatial dataset is accompanied by a specific non-spatial database table. The datasets can be related to each other on a 'many to one' basis. This reflects the fact that many SFGS operations may occur within one spatial geography (eg.a sub-compartment). The 'SFGS Management Plans' spatial dataset can be 'related' to the 'SFGS Link Management Plan Operations' table using the 'SC_Link' attribute field. ********************************************************************************** SFGS Management Plans - Spatial Attributes:- Attributes: SchemeNo SFGS Scheme number SC_Link Concatenated field used to relate spatial data to table Grant_Type Grant type code SchemeName Name of SFGS Scheme Cons_Name Conservancy Cont_Start Date contract started Local_Auth Local Authority Status Scheme status Obj_Code SFGS Objective code Descriptor Description of spatial feature ***************************************************************************** SFGS Link Management Plan Operations - Database Table Attributes:- Atributes: SchemeNo SFGS Scheme number SC_Link Concatenated field used to relate table to spatial data Scheme_Type Type of scheme (SFGS, Forest Plan, etc) Grant_Type Grant type code Descriptor Description of grant type Claim_No Claim number Quantity Length, number or area of operation Unit Unit of operation (eg. metres, visits, hectares) Pct_Cost Percentage of total cost paid under SFGS Pay_Rate Payment rate per unit (£) Grant _Paid Amount of grant paid (£) Pay_In_FY Financial year in which payment should be made Obj_Code SFGS Objective code (see above for full descriptions) *****************************************************************************

Scotland’s woodlands and forests are a vital national resource and play an important role in rural development and sustainable land use. As well as helping to reduce the impacts of climate change and providing timber for industry, our forests enhance and protect the environment and provide opportunities for public enjoyment. The Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) will support: - the creation of new woodlands, contributing towards the Scottish Government target of over 10,000 hectares of new woodlands per year - the sustainable management of existing woodlands WOODLAND CREATION - CLAIMS ============================== The aim of this category is to support the creation of new woodland that will bring economic, environmental and social benefits. These benefits include: - meeting our target to increase woodland cover by an extra 100,000 hectares between 2012 and 2022 - helping mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through carbon sequestration - restoration of 'lost' habitats through developing forest habitat networks - supporting a sustainable forest industry by providing a reliable timber supply - protecting soil and water - providing community benefits through public access - enhancing urban areas and improving landscapes - supporting rural development through local businesses and farm diversification This dataset identifies areas where tree planting has taken place under the following FGS woodland creation options: - Conifer - Diverse Conifer - Broadleaves - Native Scots Pine - Native Upland Birch - Native Broadleaves - Native Low-density Broadleaves - Small or Farm Woodlands - Native Broadleaves in Northern and Western Isles The polygons in this dataset identify the spatial location of tree species grant aided under FGS and the planting year. All areas of grant aided open ground (OG) and non-grant aided other land (OL) are excluded from this dataset.

Woodland Creation forms part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2014 - 2020. The SRDP delivers Pillar 2 of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Utilising some £1,326m of European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development funding, plus Scottish Government match funding, it funds economic, environmental and social measures for the benefit of rural Scotland. The SRDP is co-funded by the European Commission and the Scottish Government and reflects the 6 EU Rural Development Priorities. The programme also reflects the Scottish Government National Policy Framework (NPF). The aim of the Forestry Grant Scheme woodland creation category is to support the creation of new woodlands that will provide a range of economic, environmental and social benefits which include: - delivery of the Scottish Government target to extend woodland cover by an additional 100,000 hectares over the period of 2012-2022 - climate change mitigation by tackling greenhouse gas emissions through carbon sequestration - restoration of lost habitats through developing forest habitat networks - underpinning a sustainable forest industry by providing a reliable timber supply - protecting the soil and water environment - providing community benefits through public access - enhancing urban areas and improving landscapes - supporting rural development through local businesses and farm diversification A fundamental consideration when creating new woodland is whether or not the tree species is appropriate to the site. You should carry out an appropriate site based assessment of soil and vegetation to match species choice with the particular site. Forestry Research 'Ecological Site Classification' (ESC) decision support system helps guide forest managers and planners to select ecologically suited species to sites. ESC considers: windiness; temperature; moisture; continentality; soil moisture and soil nutrients. This helps to determine suitability of the chosen species to the site and identifies it as: poor; marginal; suitable or very suitable. In order to be considered for SRDP grant support the overall suitability for your chosen species must be either 'very suitable' or 'suitable'. As an initial first step in determining suitability, the polygons in this dataset represent the climatic suitability of the chosen tree species to the site. Climatic suitability, based on ESC uses the following climatic site factors: - Accumulated temperature - Moisture deficit - Exposure (Detailed Aspect Method Scoring [DAMS]) - Continentality NOTE: This datasets does NOT take into account any soils information. Any application that is identified on the map as being either 'unsuitable' or 'marginal' may still be considered - but only if you clearly demonstrate that the site is 'suitable' for the chosen species of tree (for example where there is localised shelter in an otherwise exposed location). The woodland creation category has nine options and the associated aims are: - 'Conifer' To create conifer woodlands on land that is suitable for timber production and that is accessible for timber transport (including links to suitable public roads). This option is principally aimed at planting Sitka spruce. - 'Diverse Conifer' To create conifer woodlands on land that is suitable for timber production and that is accessible for timber transport (including links to suitable public roads). This option is aimed at planting conifer species other than Sitka spruce. - 'Broadleaves' To create broadleaved woodlands on land that is suitable for sawn and prime timber and that is accessible for timber transport (including links to suitable public roads). - 'Native Scots Pine' To create or expand native pinewood priority habitat (NVC) W18 - 'Native Upland Birch' The creation of native upland birch woodland of the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) W4: Downy Birch with Purple Moor Grass on shallow peaty soils. - 'Native Broadleaves' To create native broadleaved priority woodland habitats of the following National Vegetation Classification (NVC) types: W6 Alder with Stinging Nettle W7 Alder-Ash with Yellow Pimpernel W8 Ash, Field maple with Stinging Nettle W9 Ash, Rowan with Dogs Mercury W10 Oak (penduculate) with Bluebell Hyacinth W11 Oak (sessile), Downy Birch with Bluebell/wild Hyacinth W16 Oak, Birch W17 Oak (sessile), Downy Birch with Bilberry/Blaeberry - 'Native Low Density Broadleaves' To create specific native woodland or scrub habitats; including areas of ecotones for black grouse, treeline woodlands, juniper and other forms of scrub woodland and wood pasture systems. Normally associated with other woodland habitats in a transitional situation (eg. transition onto open hill: Black Grouse; Montane Scrub). - 'Small or Farm Woodland' To create small scale mixed broadleaved and conifer woodlands on farms and other rural land. - 'Native Broadleaves in Northern & Western Isles' To create native woodlands that contributes to the Orkney, Shetland or Western Isles woodland strategies. DATASET ATTRIBUTES: - Suitability - ie. 'Very Suitable', 'Suitable', 'Marginal', 'Unsuitable' or 'Inland Water'

Management Plans provide a simpler alternative to Forest Plans for woodlands under 100 hectares. They are required as part of the eligibility criteria for SRDP grants. However no grant payments are available for the preperation of Management Plans. The Management Plan must give a clear and concise description of the woodland and the indicative management proposals for 5 years. These must be in accordance with the principles of sustainable forest management as defined by the UK Forestry Standard. Basic attribute information is captured during the digitising process. This is subsequently joined to more comprehensive information which is entered in an Excel spreadsheet by Conservancy staff. Attributes ======= CASE_REF_NO: Management Plan reference number CONSERVANCY: Conservancy RPAC: Regional Proposal Assessment Committee GRID_REF: National Grid Reference AGREED_AREA: Area agreed for the Management Plan DATE_AGREED: Plan start date DATE_EXPIRES: Plan end date

This dataset is derived from data supplied the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and is based on information from the BTO Bird Atlas 2007-11. Scottish Forestry would like to thanks BTO for their approval to use this data. The areas defined in this dataset can help support predator control to benefit capercaillie which are vulnerable to predation. This support is offered via the Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) - Sustainable Management of Forests - Species Conservation - Predator Control for Capercaillie and Black Grouse.

This dataset identifies a target area within Highland where higher intervention rates will be paid for native woodland creation through Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) applications made under the SRDP (2014-2020) programme. The data is primarily based on information derived from the Highland Council's Forest and Woodland Strategy. Some additional information has been included from another FGS target area based on woodland creation in Cairngorms National Park.

Woodland Creation forms part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2014 - 2020. The SRDP delivers Pillar 2 of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Utilising some £1,326m of European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development funding, plus Scottish Government match funding, it funds economic, environmental and social measures for the benefit of rural Scotland. The SRDP is co-funded by the European Commission and the Scottish Government and reflects the 6 EU Rural Development Priorities. The programme also reflects the Scottish Government National Policy Framework (NPF). The aim of the Forestry Grant Scheme woodland creation category is to support the creation of new woodlands that will provide a range of economic, environmental and social benefits which include: - delivery of the Scottish Government target to extend woodland cover by an additional 100,000 hectares over the period of 2012-2022 - climate change mitigation by tackling greenhouse gas emissions through carbon sequestration - restoration of lost habitats through developing forest habitat networks - underpinning a sustainable forest industry by providing a reliable timber supply - protecting the soil and water environment - providing community benefits through public access - enhancing urban areas and improving landscapes - supporting rural development through local businesses and farm diversification A fundamental consideration when creating new woodland is whether or not the tree species is appropriate to the site. You should carry out an appropriate site based assessment of soil and vegetation to match species choice with the particular site. Forestry Research 'Ecological Site Classification' (ESC) decision support system helps guide forest managers and planners to select ecologically suited species to sites. ESC considers: windiness; temperature; moisture; continentality; soil moisture and soil nutrients. This helps to determine suitability of the chosen species to the site and identifies it as: poor; marginal; suitable or very suitable. In order to be considered for SRDP grant support the overall suitability for your chosen species must be either 'very suitable' or 'suitable'. As an initial first step in determining suitability, the polygons in this dataset represent the climatic suitability of the chosen tree species to the site. Climatic suitability, based on ESC uses the following climatic site factors: - Accumulated temperature - Moisture deficit - Exposure (Detailed Aspect Method Scoring [DAMS]) - Continentality NOTE: This datasets does NOT take into account any soils information. Any application that is identified on the map as being either 'unsuitable' or 'marginal' may still be considered - but only if you clearly demonstrate that the site is 'suitable' for the chosen species of tree (for example where there is localised shelter in an otherwise exposed location). The woodland creation category has nine options and the associated aims are: - 'Conifer' To create conifer woodlands on land that is suitable for timber production and that is accessible for timber transport (including links to suitable public roads). This option is principally aimed at planting Sitka spruce. - 'Diverse Conifer' To create conifer woodlands on land that is suitable for timber production and that is accessible for timber transport (including links to suitable public roads). This option is aimed at planting conifer species other than Sitka spruce. - 'Broadleaves' To create broadleaved woodlands on land that is suitable for sawn and prime timber and that is accessible for timber transport (including links to suitable public roads). - 'Native Scots Pine' To create or expand native pinewood priority habitat (NVC) W18 - 'Native Upland Birch' The creation of native upland birch woodland of the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) W4: Downy Birch with Purple Moor Grass on shallow peaty soils. - 'Native Broadleaves' To create native broadleaved priority woodland habitats of the following National Vegetation Classification (NVC) types: W6 Alder with Stinging Nettle W7 Alder-Ash with Yellow Pimpernel W8 Ash, Field maple with Stinging Nettle W9 Ash, Rowan with Dogs Mercury W10 Oak (penduculate) with Bluebell Hyacinth W11 Oak (sessile), Downy Birch with Bluebell/wild Hyacinth W16 Oak, Birch W17 Oak (sessile), Downy Birch with Bilberry/Blaeberry - 'Native Low Density Broadleaves' To create specific native woodland or scrub habitats; including areas of ecotones for black grouse, treeline woodlands, juniper and other forms of scrub woodland and wood pasture systems. Normally associated with other woodland habitats in a transitional situation (eg. transition onto open hill: Black Grouse; Montane Scrub). - 'Small or Farm Woodland' To create small scale mixed broadleaved and conifer woodlands on farms and other rural land. - 'Native Broadleaves in Northern & Western Isles' To create native woodlands that contributes to the Orkney, Shetland or Western Isles woodland strategies. DATASET ATTRIBUTES: - Suitability - ie. 'Very Suitable', 'Suitable', 'Marginal', 'Unsuitable' or 'Inland Water'

This dataset provides an Integrated Habitat Network (IHN) for native woodlands in Scotland. Its purpose is to aid the scoring process when assessing Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) applications made under the SRDP (2014-2020) programme. It identifies three levels of information:- - core native woodlands - primary zones that are within a 'least-cost distance' of 500m - secondary zones that are within a 'least-cost distance' of 2,000m These latter two zones represent the differing dispersal abilities of generic woodland species across surrounding land which is not source native woodland.

This dataset defines the area where there is a potential for increased costs associated with erecting deer fences. This should be used when assessing Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) applications made under the SRDP (2014-2020) programme. This item can be used for all of Woodland Creation options. Justification of costs may be required.

This dataset defines the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) Core and Fringe zone contribution areas. This forms part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2014 - 2020 Forestry Grant Scheme. The data is based on the Scottish Governments Urban/Rural Classification 2011/12 dataset which classifies postcode areas according to settlement size and drive times to settlements. The CSGN Contribution is only available within the CSGN area. It is offered to help land managers deliver the aims of the CSGN and in recognition of the higher costs involved with new woodland creation in this region. The rate awarded will be dependant on which of the two zones forms the greatest component of the application (ie. if more than 50% of the new woodland is within the fringe area, then the whole application will receive the fringe rate). The CSGN is included in National Planning Framework 2 (NPF2) as one of only 14 National Developments considered by Ministers to be essential elements of the strategy for Scotland's long term development. As a national priority, it will change the face of Central Scotland, by restoring and transforming the landscape of an area stretching from Ayrshire and Inverclyde in the west, to Fife and the Lothians in the east which will deliver: "...a step change in environmental quality, woodland cover and recreational opportunities...[and] make Central Scotland a more attractive place to live in, do business and visit; help to absorb CO2; enhance biodiversity; and promote active travel and healthier life styles".