Woodland Challenge Fund

The Cairngorms National Park Woodland Challenge Fund is designed to help reduce the costs of preparing an application to Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) administered by Scottish Forestry.

The Park Authority with the support of partners – Scottish Forestry, Scottish Natural Heritage and Woodland Trust – is offering grants of up to £3,000 to help reduce the cost of developing woodland creation proposals within the Cairngorms National Park.

This funding is to encourage planting proposals of native species within target areas identified in the Cairngorms National Park Forest Strategy using one or more of the following woodland creation options in the Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme:

• Diverse conifer (predominantly Scots pine)
• Native Scots pine
• Native upland birch
• Native broadleaves
• Native low-density broadleaves

Studying a map Niall Benvie

Who can apply?

Owners or tenants of land in the Cairngorms National Park can apply for the grant. See section ‘How will an award be paid?’ for other important information.

What will it cover?

The grant contributes towards all or some of the costs reasonably incurred in the development of a woodland creation proposal including gathering information, surveys, landscape assessments and discussing proposals as part of due diligence, eg forestry agent and other professional fees. This work should provide the information required to develop a proposal suitable for a FGS application.

Proposed woodlands less than 10ha could receive a maximum grant of £1,500 (inclusive of any irrecoverable VAT).

Proposed woodlands greater than 10ha could receive a maximum grant of £3,000 (inclusive of any irrecoverable VAT).

How is an application assessed?

Funding support will be judged according to whether the proposed scheme helps to deliver one or more of the following strategic objectives as set out in the Cairngorms National Park Forest Strategy:

• Promote the creation of new woodlands that complement other land uses
• Restore lost or vulnerable forest ecosystems
• Encourage the natural regeneration of native forests
• Promote the creation of productive woodlands
• Promote access and active enjoyment
• Promote community involvement

In addition, the funding support will be judged against the extent to which the proposed scheme may contribute towards:

• Landscape enhancement
• Woodland connectivity
• Expanding capercaillie habitat
• Natural flood management
• Improved water shading and water quality

We will use this scoring sheet to judge applications.

How can I apply?

Applicants should fill out the Cairngorms National Park Woodland Challenge fund application form and provide a map of the area they are considering for woodland creation.

Successful applicants will receive a grant offer specifying the maximum amount awarded.

Applications may be made at any time but funding is limited each year so it is important to contact us as soon as possible.

Pine saplings Mark Hamblin / SCOTLAND: The Big Picture

How will an award be paid?

Payment will be made on the receipt of invoices for costs incurred as indicated in the application form and approved in the grant offer.

Please ensure the applicant is the who has paid the invoices!  We cannot pay out on costs incurred to someone other than the applicant.

The Park Authority will pay the grant as quickly as possible to minimise any cash flow issues for applicants.

Who can I contact for more information?

Fiona Holmes

Woodland Advisor

07929 868449