Scotland’s Young People’s Forest

Scotland's Young People's Forest is an innovative project – co-designed, co-created and governed by young people. It showcases young people's passion, activism and commitment to nature, biodiversity, and the natural environment.

A panel of young people from a mixture of backgrounds and communities across Scotland is developing the forest – from the ideas phase through to sustainable planting strategies, land ownership, and management structures.  

The forest itself will become a legacy for young people and adults to reflect the ambitions of a nation and provide a focus for education and empowerment 

The young people are supported by Young Scot and YouthLink Scotland – alongside founding partners Accenture, Corra Foundation, NatureScot, Pears Foundation, Scottish Enterprise and Wood. 

An expert advisory panel is supporting the young people. They are providing advice on options and opportunities – ranging from the type of planting to practical use and stewardship. The advisory panel is made up of experts from across the forestry and environmental sector – including Forestry and Land Scotland, Keep Scotland Beautiful, John Muir Trust, The Tree Council, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Institute of Chartered Foresters, Cairngorms National Park, Scottish Land Commission and the Woodland Trust. 

A blueprint: Scotland’s Young People’s Forest

Through their leadership on the project, young people have developed a blueprint for future activity, in which they aim to significantly contribute to Scotland’s response to the climate emergency and demonstrate Scotland’s collaborative approach for tackling climate change and biodiversity.

Read more about how the project developed, the focus areas identified by the young people to guide any future work on the programme and the importance of youth leadership in the creation of any future Scotland’s Young People’s Forest site.

The blueprint also includes information on:

• what is meaningful youth participation?

• decision-making as part of Scotland’s Young People’s Forest

• definitions of minor, intermediate and major decisions and how young people should be involved

• Scotland’s Young People’s Forest ambitions - the Scotland’s Young People’s Forest Panel have developed ambitions to guide the programme and any future activity to ensure this continues to meet the needs of young people and align to their vision

 The volunteers

 The young people’s work so far

The young people have created a mission statement to explain who they are and what they aim to do.

We will work to create and regenerate native Scottish forest to combat the current climate emergency: promoting, connecting, and celebrating access for all, education, wildlife, wilderness, and wellbeing.

From this mission statement, they’ve created six focus areas for their work:

• Land use

• Health and wellbeing

• Biodiversity and nature

• Equality and accessibility

• Culture and innovation

• Young people

They’ve also developed objectives, which will be revisited and adapted as the project evolves:

Objective 1

We will manage and regenerate various areas of land as forest sanctuaries for native Scottish wildlife: Rural or urban the group want to restore, regenerate, and rewild areas of land and create new plantations for carbon sequestration, but it must also be to the benefit of the wider native biodiversity.

Objective 2

We will create outdoor spaces for people to reconnect with nature: places to enjoy for their own health and wellbeing or to share with others: Scotland's Young People's Forest will be a place where people and nature share the space. A variety of activities will be available to support mental health and well-being. It will be a place to feel safe with others. A place to be, to share and to enjoy.

Objective 3

We will manage and restore native wildlife and reconnect people with their natural heritage: The group understand that forests are dynamic ecosystems and will endeavour to impact native species by creating new or managing older habitat. They also agree that teaching and educating people on local wildlife is imperative and therefore they will restore native biodiversity and reconnect people with their native natural heritage.

Objective 4

We will create welcoming forested places that are inviting and accessible for everyone. Scotland's Young People's Forest will be a space that is welcoming and accessible to all. It may be that technology would be helpful and a variety of languages inc. Gaelic used throughout. The group are committed to the forest as a place for everyone and aim to encourage people, from all walks of life, who might not normally engage with nature to come and experience the benefits of being in the wild outdoors.

Objective 5

We will create inspiring natural spaces for people to explore the connectedness of natural and cultural heritage through arts and technology both ancient and modern. One of the aims of the forest is that it would not only revive the land but the culture that is attached to it. The forest can be an inspiring space for the arts and explore heritage, culture and arts, perhaps even mythology and folklore. It should be a space for people in the arts to find inspiration and space to work.

Objective 6

We will enable and empower other young people to take action on issues of climate change and environmental concern. This project is built to empower young people enabling them to make a physical difference on climate change. The group believe young people are underrepresented in decision making in society and this project puts young people at the heart of that process. It will create experiences for those involved and enable members in the future, building a project that has a long-term environmental benefit but also developing confidence, skill and knowledge in the participants.