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Forest Policy Group

@forestpolicygroup.bsky.social
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
🧵4/4 🎧 Tune into the full episode of Let's Talk Better Forestry to hear the complete conversation on land reform, woodland crofts, and local empowerment. www.forestpolicygroup.org/news/front-p...
forestpolicygroup.org
Episode 9 – Let’s Talk Better Forestry Podcast with Jamie McIntyre – Forest Policy Group
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
🧵3/4 This intimate connection to the land is exactly what we need to promote diversity, ecological resilience, and grassroots community wealth building in forestry. When people live on and work the land they manage, the outcomes speak for themselves.
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
🧵2/4 "What crofting, and not just woodland crofting, but crofting in general, really excels at is, what you might call boots on the ground. You know, it's that personal stewardship. It's that presence, almost 24-7 of being on your land and becoming really intimately acquainted with it, you know?"
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
🧵1/4 In our latest podcast episode, Jamie McIntyre beautifully captures the essence of what makes the crofting model so unique and vital for Scotland's rural future.
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
🎧 Listen to Ep 8: Let’s Talk Better Forestry with Jez Ralph to hear the full discussion on why we need to be more "bullish" about quality timber. www.forestpolicygroup.org/news/episode...
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
As Jez puts it, we have a duty to stand up for the forests we are responsible for - managing them for the health of the woodland, not just the demands of a narrow commodity market.
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
FPG's recent manifesto (www.forestpolicygroup.org/fpg-manifest...) calls for grants that reward thinning and permanent forest structures. Jez’s work shows that if we manage for quality, we create the "sticky money" the Manifesto highlights - keeping 80% of spending within 50 miles of the forest.
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
The Quality Model: Jez argues for a "centre ground" where we manage for the long term. By allowing trees to grow beyond the 30cm ceiling, we unlock higher-value timber suitable for construction and architecture - the kind of timber that stores carbon in our buildings for centuries.
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
The Commodity Model: Built for speed, volume, and uniformity. Much of our modern infrastructure and upland plantation management is designed to process 30cm spruce as quickly as possible. It is efficient for pallets and fencing, but it often ignores the potential of the "top of the tree."
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
This reveals a fundamental tension in our sector: The Commodity vs Quality Split.
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
In South Devon, many foresters would look at a 30cm diameter log and see a tree that hasn't even reached its adolescence. Yet, in the broader UK industrial market, a tree of that size is often considered "overstood" and ready for clear-felling.
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
In our latest "Let's Talk Better Forestry" podcast episode, Jez Ralph of Evolving Forests highlighted a striking regional divide in how we view the "maturity" of our woodlands.
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Read the full update here: www.forestpolicygroup.org/news/6th-edi... #Forestry #Scotland #EnvironmentalResearch #CommunityWoodlands #ForestManagement #Innovation
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Research & Innovation: Summaries of new studies from the University of Stirling on soil carbon and the launch of the Future Woodlands Scotland Research and Innovation Grant.
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Operational Guidance: Updates on new technical notes from Scottish Forestry regarding regional forestry strategies and a roadmap for community engagement in the consents process.
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Community Forestry in Action: A look at the "keystone lease" at Glaisters Bridge and the "Woodlands Plus" framework, which explores adding social and ecological value to commercial sites.
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Key Highlights from this Edition: Collaborative Dialogue: Highlights from the "Let's Talk Better Forestry" podcast, featuring discussions with Alan McDonnell (Trees for Life) and Stuart Goodall (CEO of Confor) on finding common ground between different forestry models.
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
This issue focuses on bridging the gap between industrial forestry and community-led initiatives through professional dialogue and site-specific innovation.
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
The wait is over. The March edition of the FPG Quarterly Newsletter has arrived! The 6th edition of the Forest Policy Group (FPG) Quarterly Newsletter is now available, featuring a comprehensive look at recent developments in Scotland’s forestry sector.
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Listen to the episode here: www.forestpolicygroup.org/news/ep-7-le...
forestpolicygroup.org
Ep.7 “Let’s Talk Better Forestry” with McNabb Laurie – Forest Policy Group
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
McNabb also discusses a groundbreaking new Regional Community Added Value Agreement. This 3-year, £120,000 partnership with private investors (Foresight and EJD Forestry) aims to scale community-led projects across seven or eight existing woodlands in the region.
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
In the latest episode of the Let’s Talk Better Forestry podcast, host Morag Paterson sits down with McNabb Laurie, Lead Officer of Dumfries and Galloway (D&G) Woodlands, to discuss how they are redefining the relationship between large-scale timber interests and local communities.
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
Is the forestry sector finally growing up? 🌲 In our latest episode of Let’s Talk Better Forestry, host Morag Paterson is joined by Stuart Goodall, Chief Executive of Confor, to discuss the "growing pains" of Scottish forestry. 🎧 Listen here: www.forestpolicygroup.org/news/ep-6-wi...
forestpolicygroup.org
Ep.6 “Let’s Talk Better Forestry” with Stuart Goodall – Forest Policy Group
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Morag Paterson talks with Alan McDonald, co-convener of the Forest Policy Group and Head of Nature Restoration at Trees for Life, about forestry, nature restoration, and policy in Scotland. Check out the podcast and the video here: www.forestpolicygroup.org/news/ep-5-le...
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Reposted by Forest Policy Group
Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
🌲 Join us in Kirkhill, Beauly on [date] for a day exploring Continuous Cover Forestry. Morning at Craggach Woods, afternoon of discussion + ideas. Book here 👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ccf-in-act...
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Reposted by Forest Policy Group
Andy Wightman @andywightman.scot · 19/08/2025
I look forward to presenting results of my latest research into forest ownership at this webinar on 17 February. Should be interesting @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/fore...
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
🌲 Join us in Kirkhill, Beauly on [date] for a day exploring Continuous Cover Forestry. Morning at Craggach Woods, afternoon of discussion + ideas. Book here 👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ccf-in-act...
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
Another excellent contribution to the forestry world by FPG! We are delighted to announce our next webinar offering: "Who Owns Scotland's Forests and Does it Matter?" Wednesday 17th September, 10-12 noon. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/who-owns-s...
eventbrite.co.uk
Who Owns Scotland's Forests and Does it Matter?
Explore who owns Scotland’s forests, why it matters, and how ownership shapes policy, communities and the environment.
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
Episode 2 of "Let's Talk Better Forestry" has now landed! Tune in and listen to independent forester Andrew Macqueen join Morag Paterson to share the variety in his day-to-day work, and the experimental approaches he’s exploring. Worth a listen! www.forestpolicygroup.org/news/ep-2-le...
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
Another great event from @thesoilassociation.bsky.social ⬇️
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
youtu.be/nfyUwyI0BFc
youtu.be
Ep1 "Let's Talk Better Forestry" with Claire Wightman
YouTube video by Forest Policy Group
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
This is a fascinating listen, available on all of your usual podcast channels—just search for "Let's Talk Better Forestry" to find us. You can also watch the interview on FPG's YouTube channel via the link in the next comment.
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
We are delighted to announce that we officially launched our first podcast episode today! "Let's Talk Better Forestry" podcasts begin with a conversation with Claire Wightman, forester at TreeStory. Morag Paterson interviews Claire to hear all about what "Better Forestry" means to her.
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
If you missed FPG's CCF webinar, then you can catch up on the recording, the slide-deck and the chat content here! www.forestpolicygroup.org/silviculture...
forestpolicygroup.org
CCF Webinar – Forest Policy Group
Explore our recent Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) webinar, featuring expert insights from Prof. Edward Wilson, Dirk Sporleder and David Shepherd. Watch the recording and access key resources.
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
Don't miss out on FPG's CCF webinar this thursday, 29th May, 10.30-12 noon. Sign up for your FREE place here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fpg-webina...
eventbrite.co.uk
FPG webinar on Continuous Cover Forestry
Join us for a 1.5-hour session on CCF, covering principles, practice, and challenges in sustainable forestry.
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
FPG's 3rd quarterly newsletter available now! www.forestpolicygroup.org/news/our-3rd...
forestpolicygroup.org
Our 3rd edition of our Quarterly Newsletter is now available! – Forest Policy Group
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
Join FPG on Thursday 29th May at our webinar on Continuous Cover Forestry. We are delighted to hold this event, and welcome all of our friends who would like to know more. To learn more and to sign up, click here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1317412749...
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
Sharing on behalf of Soil Association: Whole Farm Plans on Organic Farms: Crop and Livestock Focus, Wednesday 9 April, 12.30–1.30pm, Online. Register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/planning-f...
eventbrite.co.uk
Planning for Change: Whole Farm Plans on Organic Farms
Whole Farm Plans on Organic Farms: Crop and Livestock Focus
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
Some very interesting articles included in this link - scroll to see all. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2501888...
heraldscotland.com
All the articles in the series Scotland's Forests: Targets and timber shortages
From Brewdog's Lost Forest to Stobo Hope; from targets to grants, from timber to carbon emissions, all the articles in the series here
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
Read why people should have a say about what tree-planting goes on in their communities:https://www.justtransition.scot/news-article/just-transition-commission-says-scotlands-communities-need-a-stake-and-say-in-tree-planting/
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
Hot off the press: Just Transition Commission report on forestry and housing in Dumfries and Galloway. www.justtransition.scot/publication/...
justtransition.scot
A Just Transition for Dumfries and Galloway – Just Transition Commission
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
FPG are delighted to share our 2nd edition of our quarterly newsletter. To view or download, click the link below. If you would like to have a copy wing its way direct to your inbox, then complete the form at the bottom of the linked page.
buff.ly
Our 2nd Edition of FPG’s Quarterly Newlsetter is now available to download – Forest Policy Group
Forest Policy Group
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Forest Policy Group @forestpolicygroup.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
👋🏼 Hello! We are delighted to bring to you our new Forest Policy account! And we're looking forward to chatting with you all here!
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