Woodland Laboratory to explore how natural regeneration can benefit South of Scotland
Bennel Wood, a 13-hectare site near Dalbeattie, is being established as a Woodland Laboratory to explore different natural regeneration treatments and approaches.
The project will work with natural processes to explore how they can deliver wider financial, community wealth building and biodiversity benefits.
What is the Woodland Laboratory project?
The Woodland Laboratory project is being led by Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, a not-for-profit organisation aiming to support trees, habitats and the people that depend upon them in our region.
Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands will trial a number of different treatments on the Woodland Laboratory site, monitoring the impact this has on the naturally regenerating trees, and the variety of benefits that can result – including ecological and community benefits, through to income streams in due course.
D&G Woodlands will use this year to gather baseline data. Precise trials are still to be confirmed but are likely to include different rates of thinning and tree protection, through to options like companion planting with different species and innovative treatments that work with natural processes.
A webpage has been published to highlight progress at the Woodland Laboratory.
Scotland's Natural Capital Innovation Zone
South of Scotland has been officially designated Scotland’s Natural Capital Innovation Zone (NCIZ), recognising the region’s unique, unrivalled qualities which together provide a huge opportunity to drive forward the wellbeing economy.
The NCIZ aims to capitalise on the South’s geographical location and strong and successful partnership working to drive change and build robust and resilient communities and enterprises.
Establishing the NCIZ as a living lab, learning hub for the whole of Scotland allows for the creation of solutions which put Scotland in a leadership role of addressing the global challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change.
The Woodland Laboratory purchase has been funded to date by a range of partners, including our grant of £75,000.
McNabb Laurie, Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands Manager, said:
“This is very exciting.
"We will be using the Woodland Laboratory to trial a number of different naturally-inspired treatments and approaches, using both established methods and innovative ideas.
"These will all explore how we can influence natural regeneration processes on a recently felled site, and the variety of a variety of benefits that can result – both in terms of ecological and community benefits, as well as timber production and potential income streams.
"We will also be using the Woodland Laboratory as a venue for education and school visits to track progress, partnering with research and further education institutions.
"We have already been able to commission a number of local contractors and companies to support us, evidencing economic development benefits at this early stage.
"Throughout it all, there will be a focus on effective data gathering and sharing of findings, so we can all learn about what part natural regeneration can play in land use discussion.
"Rather than copying what has happened elsewhere, we want to innovate right here in Scotland’s Natural Capital Innovation Zone.”
Jayne Ashley, SOSE’s Head of Natural Capital, said:
“The Woodland Laboratory project is exactly the type of scheme we want to encourage in Scotland’s Natural Capital Innovation Zone, with the Dalbeattie woodland trial aiming to deliver both biodiversity and economic benefits for the area.
“The South of Scotland is perfectly positioned to be leading the way in creating a wellbeing economy from natural capital.
“Through continuing to work together, we can further natural capital opportunities, attract responsible investment and drive forward innovation to benefit our region and the rest of Scotland.”