Aigas Community Forest

High Profile Champions for Aigas Community Forest

03 August 2010

The residents of Lower Strathglass now have two extra supporters for their efforts to secure Aigas Forest as a community asset. Noted conservationist Sir John Lister-Kaye and land reform campaigner and historian Professor James Hunter have both put their full support behind Aigas Community Forest and agreed to act as Forest Champions.

When the community has secured the forest it will be run as a social enterprise providing measurable environmental and social benefits for the local community. Sir John Lister-Kaye has a 30 year career in nature conservation and is a successful author and businessman. As Environmental Forest Champion he endorses the community’s plans for managing the forest; - ‘I firmly believe that imaginative community ownership would permit creative management of the forest for the best interests of nature conservation, environmental education and local recreation, as well as continued production of some commercial timber and other carefully controlled activities. In my professional opinion as a conservationist, this shift in emphasis and freeing up of opportunity is badly needed. I am in no doubt that the local community possesses the skills and commitment to undertake the management of this forest.’

Professor Hunter is a historian and writer and has been an active campaigner for land reform for many years. As Social Forest Champion he believes that community ownership of Aigas Forest will bring a range of benefits; - ‘Over the last twenty or so years, many Highlands and Islands communities have taken ownership of local land and other assets. The results have everywhere been positive. Jobs have been created, new homes have been built, businesses have been established and, in many instances, the wider population has benefited from the introduction of more people-friendly, as well as more environmentally-friendly, sorts of management. The people involved in the Aigas Community Forest initiative are anxious to have exactly this sort of responsibility. I am certain they are more than capable of exercising it. That is why they have my backing – and why, I trust, they will get all the other backing they both need and deserve.’

Andrew Leaver, Secretary of Aigas Community Forest commented; - ‘It is heartening to see our activities are recognised as having a benefit to the community. Earlier this month the Scottish Charity Regulator agreed our goals are worthy of official registration as a Scottish charity and now we have gained the wholehearted support of these two individuals with their reputation and experience. This is a tremendous boost to our campaign.’