Introducing Scotland's Young People's Forest
An innovative new project to create Scotland's Young People's Forest – co-designed and governed by young Scots has been revealed.
Scotland’s Young People's Forest will be one of Scotland's flagship projects as we prepare to host COP 26 in Glasgow later this year. It will inspire young people from communities across Scotland to contribute to the nation's climate ambitions.
A panel of diverse young people will lead and govern the Forest – from the ideas phase through to sustainable planting strategies, land ownership and management structures. The young people will be supported by partners who will provide expert advice on options and opportunities – ranging from the type of planting to practical use and stewardship. The young leaders will decide on the site(s) and model.
The young people will be supported by Young Scot and YouthLink Scotland – alongside founding partners Corra Foundation, NatureScot, Pears Foundation, Scottish Enterprise and Wood.
Scotland's Forestry Strategy 2019–2029 sets out a 50-year vision with a key priority to engage more people, communities, and businesses in creating, managing and using forests and woodlands. Young people have a vital role in this vision, and through Scotland’s Young People's Forest, they will become champions of community engagement and support the creation of more forest and woodland in Scotland.
“This is such a brilliant initiative and marks a huge step forward in the fight against climate change. By including young people in the planning and decision making process, Young Scot and Youth Link Scotland are giving us a platform to make our voices heard.”
Copyright Bogdan Sonjachny
We’d love to hear what you think about the plans for Scotland’s Young People’s Forest. Tweet using #ScotYoungPeoplesForest and tagging any of our partners:
@YoungScot
@YouthLinkScot
@CorraScot
@Nature_Scot
@PearsFoundation
@ScotEnt
@WoodPLC