Nearly 300,000 native trees have now been planted across the Western Isles through Croft Woodlands, marking a decade of helping crofters, schools, community groups and landowners establish new woodland across the islands.
Launched in 2016 through a partnership between Point and Sandwick Trust and Woodland Trust Scotland, Western Isles Croft Woodlands offers crofters free advice and practical support, including assistance with grant applications for tree planting. The project has established 287,176 trees, including 44,290 during the most recent planting season, and has responded to almost 950 enquiries from across the Western Isles, with interest continuing to grow as more people recognise the benefits of planting trees.
Many of the earliest planting schemes are now becoming established features in the landscape, providing shelter for livestock, improving biodiversity, enhancing soil health, helping manage water and drainage, and creating more resilient habitats for wildlife.
This milestone reflects the commitment of crofters, landowners, schools, community groups and partner organisations who have worked with Croft Woodlands over the past decade.
Viv Halcrow, Croft Woodlands Adviser for the Western Isles, commented, "When Croft Woodlands began ten years ago, our aim was to help people see that trees could have an important place in the Western Isles landscape and could support crofting as well as nature.
"Reaching nearly 300,000 trees is an incredible milestone, but what is equally rewarding is seeing attitudes change. The first woodlands are now becoming established, people are seeing the benefits for themselves, and more crofters and communities are choosing to plant because they can see what is possible."
Over the past decade, Point and Sandwick Trust has invested £555,000 in the project, helping crofters, schools and communities establish native woodland across the islands.
DJ MacSween, General Manager of Point and Sandwick Trust, said, "Point and Sandwick Trust has proudly supported Croft Woodlands for the past decade and we've seen first-hand the difference it is making to our communities and our landscape. To see almost 300,000 trees established across the Western Isles is an extraordinary achievement. These woodlands will benefit generations to come by improving biodiversity, creating shelter for crofting and leaving a lasting legacy across our islands.
"The success of the project is a testament to the dedication of everyone involved, particularly Viv Halcrow, whose passion and commitment over the past decade has inspired hundreds of people to plant trees and care for the landscape."
As Croft Woodlands enters its second decade, Woodland Trust Scotland and Point and Sandwick Trust remain committed to supporting crofters, schools and communities across the Western Isles, helping establish more native woodland for generations to come.
Pictured top: Croft Woodlands Advisor Laura McEwan planting with volunteers at Aline Community Woodland, Lewis. Credit Laura McEwan