Rooted in the community. Annual Review Lone Rowan at Gameshope Nic Hunt

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1 Annual Review 2017 Lone Rowan at Gameshope Nic Hunt

2 2 Annual Review 2017 Annual Review Chairman s Report Rosalind Grant-Robertson, Chairman Borders Forest Trust is all about growing, so it is very pleasing to see that our impact is growing too. The pioneering work at Carrifran Wildwood was acknowledged in the New Native Woods category of Scotland s Finest Woods Awards 2017, where we were joint winners with Mar Lodge Pinewoods. This has led to new links with like-minded people at Mar Lodge, which we hope to build on by sharing best practice and, particularly, monitoring what is happening in these revived landscapes to build knowledge for all. Partnerships with similar organisations ensure that Borders Forest Trust is at the forefront of woodland restoration and keeps our name linked to bigger players like the National Trust for Scotland and The Woodland Trust. Ali Murrfit Jane Rosegrant, John Savory and Philip Ashmole accepting a Scotland s Finest Woods Award for BFT s Carrifran Wildwood. Scotland s Finest Woods The impact at Carrifran is mirrored across our Wild Heart sites, where we have hosted numerous visitors, from schools and students to specialist interest groups. Praise from these visitors echoes the citation for Scotland s Finest Woods Award: sound planning, informed delivery and, not least, determination and enthusiasm. A visiting group from Natural England getting ready see and discuss our approach and progress on site. Nic Hunt It is thanks to the team of staff and volunteers, backed up by committed trustees, that our work is successful, and I believe their determination and enthusiasm is what largely inspires others to try similar projects elsewhere. This all means our vision for increasing native woodland is gradually taking root within new and varied institutions. In this way the impact of the vision grows in tandem with the trees. Unfurling rowan leaves. Groups brave all weathers in order to learn about BFT s ecological restoration! Regenerating oak.

3 4 Annual Review 2017 Annual Review Borders Forest Trust Key Achievements in 2017 The Wild Heart of Southern Scotland Habitat restoration, Education and Volunteering in the Wild Heart: Carrifran Wildwood, Corehead and Talla & Gameshope. Globeflower. Partnership Projects UK National Tree Seed Project 2017 saw us complete Phase 1 of this partnership work with Kew Gardens. The aim of this programme is to collect and preserve tree seeds from native species in every provenance zone in the United Kingdom. BFT made collections in two Southern Scotland zones where significant natural native tree cover is particularly difficult to find. Over the three years we delivered 32 seed collections and are planning a few more collections during Phase 2 in This wonderful Oak is an example of the significant trees we want to ensure are being planted for the future of our Borders landscape. Borders Tree Planting Grant We have continued to implement the Borders Tree Planting Grant, working closely with Tweed Forum. This programme seeks to combat the ongoing loss of significant trees in the Borders landscape. Funded by Forestry Commission Scotland, Woodland Trust Scotland, Quixwood Wind Farm, Scottish Borders Council and Fallago Environment Fund, the Borders Tree Planting Grant offers financial assistance to plant individual trees or small clumps of trees. The grant is for trees and woodlands smaller than 0.25ha and that enhance the landscape and biodiversity of the Borders. BFT works with individual landowners, but also with local schools and community groups, to support their vision for increasing the numbers of trees locally. Woodland restoration at Talla & Gameshope was a highlight in 2017, with 50,000 trees planted along the slopes west of the Gameshope Burn by end of the year. Volunteers planted an additional 11,000 in other areas of the site, including more remote areas of montane scrub. At Carrifran and Corehead Farm, tree surveys continue to confirm that planted areas are establishing and teach us where enrichment planting, of underrepresented species, can do most good. Volunteer input at all sites has been a major contributor to our projects successes over the years. During 2017 we ran 5 weekend camps to plant trees in remote areas and carry out other tasks such as tree guard removal. Corporate groups have volunteered on site and a new regular volunteer group for Talla & Gameshope was established in November 17, running year round on the 1st Sunday of each month. There is also vital maintenance and repair work to our fencing which is largely carried out by dedicated volunteers. Stirk Craig, a possible site for montane scrub restoration. Education work is flourishing across the Wild Heart. Our positive relationship with local schools is now well established and they come out on site for outdoor learning sessions as well as Biology and Geography field studies. Junior Rangers continue to meet monthly at Corehead, they are simultaneously volunteers helping with our work and learners discovering new skills and knowledge all the time. Importantly, higher education courses and professional interest groups also regularly visit Borders Forest Trust sites for learning tours. In 2017 this included visits from Bangor University, Plantlife, The National Trust for Scotland, The Royal Scottish Forestry Society and Outdoor Woodland Learning Scotland, among others. Through our education programmes young people learn about the insect life on our sites such as this Peacock Butterfly. Borders Forest Trust Borders Forest Trust Local landowners & land managers During 2017 we continued to work across the Borders with other landowners and managers on sites with areas of new native woodland. In most of these cases we had helped to design and implement the original planting plans. Several hundred hectares of native woodland in the Ettrick Valley are now well on the way to establishment, while others have been signed off as established, requiring less maintenance and care. We are always interested in new partnerships with landowners who want to explore planting on their land. Cloudberry mound.

4 6 Annual Review 2017 Summary of Financial Statements for the year ending 31 December Borders Forest Trust Key Achievements in 2017 Financial Summary Woodland Culture The All Things Green Education Project Supported by the Robertson Trust and Forestry Commission Scotland, we are working with selected primary schools in the Borders to support teachers and children with outdoor woodland education. Four new schools took part in 2017, while eight schools from previous years continued to benefit. During 2017 over 450 children took part in outdoor education sessions and 43 children earned Discovery Level John Muir Awards. Branching Out This programme, supported by Forestry Commission Scotland, enables 13 sessions of woodland focused activities for individuals facing on-going mental health challenges. BFT has been working with FCS through this programme since 2012 and was very happy to run two further series of the course during Participants experienced a variety of activities at local woodland venues, ranging from volunteer work, to Tai Chi, to tree identification. The courses are always over-subscribed and we hope to be funded again in 2018 to bring this important work to the Scottish Borders. All Things Green Community Woodlands and Volunteering During 2017 we held 40 volunteering sessions at local Borders sites. Our team, generally of 11 volunteers, carried out vital maintenance work at community woodlands and other important wildlife sites. Work ranged from tree planting to pruning to path maintenance. Staff also attended 20 meetings with community woodland groups, including 2 new groups, supporting their goals and work in their local woodlands. A bug hotel and habitats created at a local primary school as part of BFT s All Thing s Green project. Anna Craigen Anna Craigen Fixed Assets Tangible Assets (including land holdings) Investments Current Assets Stock Debtors Cash at Bank Balance Sheet Creditors Amount due within one year Net Current Assets Assets Less Current Liabilities Amount due after more than one year (mainly toward land purchase) Net Assets Charity Funds Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Endowment Funds 2017 ( ) 1,947, ,407 2,224,634 27,700 49, , ,599 (256,610) 165,989 2,390,623 (7,000) 2,383,623 2,113, ,713 15,431 2,383,623 The financial summary is taken from the Borders Forest Trust 2017 Accounts, copies of which are available on request from the BFT office. These accounts have been produced in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting by charities ( ) 1,946, ,545 2,254,801 25,910 54, , ,121 (58,690) 358,431 2,613,232 (160,500) 2,452,732 2,227, ,270 12,668 2,452,732 Partnership projects & support Where was the money raised 3% 59% Grants, Partnerships & other income Where the money was spent 11% Woodland Culture projects, support & fundraising 13% Memberships 71% Wild Heart projects, support & fundraising 1% Legacies 37% Donations 5% Governance, fundraising for donations & legacies BFT volunteers digging foundation trenches for the new cabin at Wooplaw.

5 8 Annual Review 2017 Our vision for the south of Scotland is a place where a rich network of native woodlands and wild places flourish, cared for by local communities. We work to conserve, restore and manage native woodlands and other natural habitats for the benefit of people and wildlife. We support community woodlands, habitat restoration, education and arts projects and are involved in the sustainable use of hardwood timber. Our vision can only be realised with the participation and support of people in the south of Scotland. Funders Borders Forest Trust gratefully acknowledges support from: Staff 2017 Anna Craigen, Community and Education Officer (appointed August 2015) Alasdair Fagan, Woodland Habitats Site Officer (appointed April 2015, resigned June 2017) Nicola Hunt, Programme Manager (appointed April 2001) Alison Murfitt, Corehead Community & Education Officer (appointed April 2014) Jane Rosegrant, CEO (appointed June 2012) Sandra Smith-Maxwell, Finance Officer (appointed January 2006) Andy Wilson, Site Officer (appointed May 2017) Spurgin Charitable Trust Trustees 2016 Philip Ashmole (appointed 22/07/15 First term) Lynn Cassells (appointed 2/8/17 First term) Hugh Chalmers (appointed 2/8/17 Second term) Sarah Eno (appointed 22/07/15 First term) Stuart Foulkes (appointed 2/8/17 First Term) Rosalind Grant-Robertson (appointed 2/8/17 Second term) Jim Knight (appointed 03/08/16 First term) David Long (appointed 03/08/16 Second term) Brenda Robertson (appointed 16/07/14 Second term, Retired 2/8/17) John Thomas (appointed 2/8/17 Second term) Hans Waltl (appointed 03/08/16 Second term) Patron Clifton Bain Mailing and registered address: Monteviot Nurseries, Ancrum, Jedburgh, Scottish Borders TD8 6TU Tel: enquiries@ bordersforesttrust.org Thanks Our sincere thanks go to all of our members, supporters, funders and partner organisations who make our work possible. Borders Forest Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in Scotland No.SC Scottish Charity No. SC Position ONLY Published by The Borders Forest Trust. Designed by Vivid Design