ABOUT US
FORRES FRIENDS OF WOODS AND FIELDS
Forres Friends of Woods and Fields is a local grassroots environmental charity based in the community of Forres, Moray in Scotland, aiming to restore our woodlands, support local food sustainability and aid the mental and physical well-being of the community.
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Vision:
Land, the river, people and wildlife living and working in harmony.
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Mission:
To cultivate an understanding and appreciation of nature, with community wellbeing at its core, through land stewardship and local food sustainability.
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The charity is supported by the team of trustees with varying backgrounds and expertise and a large volunteer group, who work together at our community garden and tree nursery, and on conservation tasks around the land’.
Our Woods
12 acres of native woodland
At the centre of the community of Forres, Scotland, sits a piece of beautiful oak woodland, the Kennel Wood, part of the larger Sanquhar Woods. Forres Friends of Woods and Fields aims are to conserve and regenerate this area so it can not only be enjoyed by the Moray community but also by the local wildlife. We moreover manage a smaller area of riparian woodland along the Mosset Burn, towards the flood scheme - a different habitat of wetter ash-alder wood.
The management of these woodlands aims to enhance their wildlife value, through control of invasive species such as rhododendron and laurel, leaving decaying wood and planting some new trees.’
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Such habitat restoration will help the local red squirrels, badgers, pine martens and tawny owls survive and thrive. Our mission is to create abundant wildlife and to become a nature-based education hub for children and adults alike.
Our Fields
13 acres for nature and grazing
The fields were last farmed in the early 2000’s. The ponies graze them on rotation, with some areas being left to rewild. The Kennel Field is managed more carefully, to enhance its value for flora and insects.
Our Community Garden
1 acre for sustainable growing
The garden is managed organically, and with attention to regenerative agricultural practices. We have no-dig beds, a polytunnel, an orchard with a variety of heritage fruit trees (watch video) and a potting shed with solar panels.
