The Woodland Trust, Scotland - 25 years
Press Release issued 30 September 2009
THE WOODLAND TRUST SCOTLAND AND TODS MURRAY CALL FOR MORE NATIVE WOODLAND AT CITY CENTRE EVENT!
The Woodland Trust Scotland launched a final push behind its latest initiative to create more native woodland in Scotland at an event hosted by long term supporters Tods Murray LLP, today (30 September).
Called MOREwoods, the initiative supports the design, purchase, planting and management of new native woodland and the Trust aims to enlist more people into the scheme before it closes on 31 December 2009.
The Woodland Trust Scotland and Tods Murray also celebrated the 25th anniversary of their working partnership, pledging to plant a silver birch, in the children’s garden at one of Scotland’s flagship “eco-schools”, Tollcross Primary in Edinburgh, to commemorate their long association and highlight the need to plant more trees. Photographed on the left with the silver birch are Sarah Cudworth of Tods Murray and Sally-Anne Hunter from The Woodland Trust, Scotland, together with two pupils from the Tollcross Primary School.
Sally-Anne Hunter Development Manager, for The Woodland Trust Scotland said:
“We have a number of new woodland creation schemes currently going through the process, and our ultimate aim is to double the area of native woodland in Scotland by 2050. We are actively pursing native woodland creation on our own sites and through schemes like MOREwoods we can also encourage other landowners to plant native woodlands.
“By bringing the campaign to the centre of Edinburgh we hope to raise awareness of the benefits of the scheme and inspire landowners to plant new native woodland. Woods are not only vital to our efforts to combat climate change, they also provide green spaces for people to access healthier, happier lives. And yet, Scotland is one of the least wooded countries in Europe. Only 17% of Scotland is wooded and only 4% is the native woodland that enriches our lives in a sustainable manner, benefiting society as a whole.
“That’s why our initiative MOREwoods is so important and why we are enormously grateful to Tods Murray for sending news of this initiative to their clients and for hosting the event and giving the initiative new momentum.”
Sarah Cudworth, partner at Tods Murray who heads up the Rural Property and Business team, regularly advises on all types of rural land use and supports The Woodland Trust’s call for more woodland. Speaking at the event, which was attended by clients from across the firm’s Families in Business, Private Client, Property and Banking departments, she said:
“In the MOREwoods scheme the Trust can advise on suitable trees and protection, make the grant applications on your behalf and organise contractors to carry out the work. It makes the process very straight forward for any one with the land and the inclination or desire to create their own woodland. The schemes that I have been involved in have been extremely rewarding.”
Reflecting on Tods Murray’s 25 year association with The Woodland Trust, Sarah commented:
“Tods Murray has worked with The Woodland Trust since its inception in Scotland 25 years ago, and we have always been inspired by their passion and dedication. The partnership has seen many projects successfully come to fruition and we continue to support them in their campaigns to create more native woodland.”
Kenneth Neal, Head Teacher at Tollcross Primary School, is also delighted to be working with both Tods Murray, its neighbour in Edinburgh’s Fountainbridge district and The Woodland Trust Scotland. Tollcross Primary currently holds its Silver Eco-Schools Award and is hoping to progress to Green Flag status this session.
He said:
“We are committed to promoting a greener lifestyle for our city centre students and this initiative chimes in perfectly with our aspirations to achieve that through close working relationships with both businesses in the community and specialist groups.”
Contact Sarah Cudworth
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Notes to Editor:
1. Tods Murray is a leading independent Scottish law firm, dedicated to providing first rate, innovative and commercially aware specialist advice to companies, institutions and organisations, within both the private and public sectors, and to families, individuals and charities.
2. Tods Murray has offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow and has 38 partners.
3. The Woodland Trust: The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters. The Trust has four key aims: i) No further loss of ancient woodland; ii) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; iii) Increasing new native woodland; iv) Increasing people’s understanding and enjoyment of woodland.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres).
In 1984, the Trust acquired its first wood in Scotland. Today the Trust owns 80 sites across Scotland covering 8,100 hectares. Further news can be accessed via www.woodlandtrust.org.uk
4. For more information, please call: Ed Peel or Elizabeth Lambley, Indigo, 0131 554 1230
5. For The Woodland Trust Scotland, please call Jacqui Morris, 01355 578777
Elizabeth Lambley
Indigo
27 Maritime Street, Leith
Edinburgh, EH6 6SE
Tel: 0131 554 1230
Mob: 07967 374 330
Email: lizzylambley@indigopr.com
Fax: 0131 554 1549