Woodland Owners Could Win Prize Money

28th February 2012

One month's countdown for entry to Scotland's Finest Woods Awards 2012.

Woodland owners and managers are being urged to prepare their entries for this year's prestigious Scotland's Finest Woods Awards and compete for a share of the £7,500 prize money.

Entry closes on 31st March and Awards organiser, Peter Wilson is encouraging people not to be shy in putting forward their woodlands:

'Too few people recognise the quality of their own woodlands so my message is don't be shy, enter your woodland project today! The entry form is short and simple to complete so with just a month left to enter the competitions now is the time to sit down and prepare your entry.

'This year's focus is on the economic, environmental and social benefits that our woods and forests deliver to Scotland's people. Across the country, people are working hard to create something special and our aim is to identify and reward the best projects.'

There are four award categories embracing seven competitions including a brand new award for new commercial woodlands:

The Schools Award is for school and pre-school projects with £750 of prize money to be won.

The Community Woodlands Award for community and urban projects focuses specifically on the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) Activity Area: the Tim Stead Trophy and £3,000 of prize money are up for grabs.

The New Native Woods Award is for newly established native woodland: the Woodland Trust Scotland Trophy and £750 are there to be won.

The Quality Timber Awards focus on silviculture and the production of quality timber, whether from newly-planted woods, small woods, single stands or large multi-purpose woods and forests. There are three competitions with three trophies and £3,000 of prize money at stake:

· New commercial woodlands - newly established productive conifer woods planted on bare land compete for the new James Jones Trophy and a £1,000 prize.

· Small woods and single stands or compartments of trees where exemplary silviculture results in high quality timber production compete for the Hunter Blair Trophy and a £1,000 prize.

· Whole estates managed as multi-purpose forests in which quality timber production is a major objective compete for the John Kennedy Trophy and a £1,000 prize.

Full information and entry forms are available on www.sfwa.co.uk.

Entries must be received by 31st March 2012 and a judging team will visit short-listed entries between 30th April and 11th May.

For further information see www.sfwa.co.uk or contact SFW Executive Director, Peter Wilson on 0131 226 4665 or peter.wilson[AT]sfwa.co.uk