Newsletter 14  - March 2003

Clune Wood Story Trail

The Storytrail Project commenced last year is coming to fruition. The trails will be opened after Easter 2003.

The trails in Clune Wood were identified last summer and the story telling party took place on Midsummers Day. We have since been busy working with the Forest Commission design studio in Edinburgh, turning the magnificent school artworks into sturdy signs that will lead the way along the Blue, Green and Red trails, criss-crossing Clune Wood.

The Forestry Commission have devised an innovative method of display for each of the signpost 'fingers', so that they are unobtrusive to the environment, yet encourage interaction with walkers.

The signs for the three trails will be installed during March, with the opening planned for Sunday 11th May. Further work will also be carried out during April and May by FDF and FC  to improve the footpaths for all three trails.

 The story trail is a partnership between FDF, Durris School, and Forestry Commission supported by Awards for All. Thanks to the many people who have made this exciting project work.

Contact: Mark Ansell

  Maps

A detailed map of Durris Forest and some outlier woods has been published and circulated to members only. It includes details of the trails in the forest that are open. Many provide excellent opportunities for walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers.

The map is a prototype for an eventual open publication. Please let us know what you think.

·         Is it accurate?

·         Is there anything missed out?

·         Is the design clear?

Conservation activity has focused on volunteers clearing self-seeded sitka from areas which have been planted with broadleaves. A good crowd usually turns out for a couple of hours to pull, snip or cut. Bring warm clothes, food and drink, strong gardening gloves, hand tools only and share the good humour.

Four more days are planned for 2003:

Sunday March 30^th

Sunday April 27^th

Sunday September 21^st

Sunday November 2nd

For the first two of these dates meet at the Cairn-mon-Earn entrance (between Inchloan Farm and the Slug road ) to Durris Forest at 10.00am with the usual collection of hand tools and refreshment. There is an area right by the car park, where hardwoods have been planted, which will benefit from the removal of rogue sitka spruce.

Contact: Philip Dean 811328

FDF Website

See the FDF website for the latest about Durris Forest, the outlying woods and our alternative plan:

www.friendsofdurrisforests.co.uk

Check out the activities planned for 2003 and all the latest news. If you wish to receive this newsletter, or notice of events by email, please contact any committee member.

Sharing the Management of the Forests

On 1^st March 2003 a Partnership Agreement came into effect between FDF and the Forestry Commission that requires and enables both parties to work together in the management of all the FC forests in Durris – both the main Durris Forest and 19 specified surrounding woods.

The formal mechanisms for implementing co-management lie in a requirement to agree the five year plans for the woods, and the annual operating plan – with quarterly reviews of the latter. However the effectiveness of the agreement will rest on a willingness to interact and consult prior to these formal stages.

The Agreement includes proud commitments

·         “to work towards the resolution of all issues relating to joint or collective forest management in a spirit of mutual cooperation”

·         “for the recreational and educational benefit of the community and for the benefit of the environment, including special attention to sustainability, enhanced biodiversity and landscape.”

We look forward to an enhanced working relationship with Forest Commission.

Forest Works

Later in the summer, harvesters will be going in to Brachmont Wood to thin the trees. This is the only major forestry work planned for the Durris forests in 2003.

Meantime if you find any windblow across tracks, please give us as precise a location as possible – use your Durris Forest Map to give a map reference! - and we will arrange to clear the obstruction where appropriate.

Horses & Riders

Tracks blocked with windblow are to be cleared, including that from the Gennell entrance toward Meikle Tulloch. Please let us know of any other trails that are obstructed.

The Endurance Riding Club will be staging an event in Durris Forest on Sunday 6 April. Volunteer helpers will be most welcome. Local riders may be able to join the event in a non-competitive way - contact Phillippa on 844537.

Some key link paths are being explored to enable horses to avoid road sections that seem dangerous.

Plans

On the FDF agenda for the coming year are:

·         Complete the story trail

·         Map for the Elsick Mounth

·         Investigate orienteering opportunities

·         Develop link routes

·         Conservation work

·         Implement the co-management agreement with Forest Commission

FDF Membership

We rely on the 100 folk who support the activities of FDF by paying a small subscription to become a member.