Woodlands for Wildlife & Water
The River Tweed faces many ecological challenges including the negative effects of climate change. Our Woodlands for Wildlife and Water project, managed by Tweed Forum, is working to help combat these issues by planting around 200ha of new native and riparian woodlands.
By planting approx. 300,000 new trees the project aims to integrate farming, forestry and conservation to improve the water environment and benefit communities along the River Tweed.
Woodlands for Wildlife & Water is led by Tweed Forum.
Working with landowners, land managers and local communities, the project is crucial to tackling environmental and climate issues affecting the River Tweed catchment such as increasing river temperatures and loss of habitat. Native woodlands also help deliver a host of beneficial ecosystem services and public goods, including improved water quality, natural flood management, biodiversity enhancement, carbon sequestration and community access benefits. Riparian woodlands particularly can have a huge role to play in mitigating rising river temperatures, which are increasing with climate change.
Recent work includes the planting of 44,370 native trees across three farm sites at Upper Kidston, Edston and Lyne farms. Species include alder, aspen, birch, oak, cherry, rowan, willow, hawthorn and hazel. Planting will also improve wildlife connectivity and provide shade and shelter for livestock as well as increasing farm biodiversity. The carbon credits generated through the project can be sold or kept for the farm business.
The new woodlands will enhance the visitor experience for anyone using the planned River Tweed Trail, with much of the woodlands close to, or visible, from the new route.
Get in Touch
If you’re a landowner and have ideas for potential projects, we’d love to hear from you.