About Forestry Commission Scotland

 

This section has details of what Forestry Commission Scotland is and does, who it is funded by, how it is managed, and how it is structured.  For contact details, please see the contact us section.

Who are we?

Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) was created on 1 April 2003 as a result of the Forestry Devolution Review.  We serve as the forestry directorate of the Scottish Government, advising on and implementing forestry policy and managing the national forest estate.

• The Forestry Minister is Michael Russell MSP.

Mission statement

Our mission is to protect and expand Scotland's forests and woodlands and increase their value to society and the environment.

Funding and direction

We are funded by the Scottish Parliament and directed by Scottish Ministers through our Board of Commissioners and our National Committee for Scotland.

Working with the Scottish Government

We work with the Scottish Government to deliver the Scottish Forestry Strategy. We also contribute to many aspects of wider Scottish Government policy such as energy, environment and climate change, biodiversity, healthy living, rural transport, tourism and education.

Our management

• Forestry Commission Scotland's Management Board oversees the business systems and administration of FCS and its relationships with other organisations and stakeholders.
  
  
• We have five conservancies which carry out our regulatory and grant support functions around Scotland.  They provide advice and information on forestry to woodland owners.
  
  
• The national forest estate is managed by Forest Enterprise Scotland (FES), which is part of FCS.  Forest Enterprise Scotland's Management Board (FESMB) gives strategic direction and leadership to the Scottish Forest Districts.  View details of the FESMB and minutes of their meetings.
  
  
• FES works to a framework document (PDF 126k) (revised May 2008).  It is currently consulting on a draft new strategic framework plan.
  
  
• The 14 Forest Districts manage and maintain Scotland's woods and forests.  Their tasks include planting, forest design, marketing timber and providing facilities and access for the public.  The recreation framework sets out priorities for managing recreation on the national forest estate.

Related documents

An indicative allocation of the Forestry Commission Scotland funding from the Scottish Government for 2008-09 through to 2010-11 is on the Spending Review 2007 - position for forestry page.   

A review of land managed by Forest Enterprise Scotland was carried out in 2004 and its recommendations accepted by Scottish Ministers. 

Our structure

You can view our structure in the Forestry Commission Scotland structure chart (PDF 1.7Mb).

Advisory Bodies

FCS co-ordinates the Scottish Forestry Forum and five Regional Forestry Forums.  The forums advise us on a broad range of forestry matters.

We are also supported by a Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) whose role is to adjudicate on disputed applications for grants or felling licenses and in disputes by statutory bodies arising from Forest Enterprise Scotland design plans.

Getting in touch with us

See the contact us section, which includes departmental contacts.

Background to the Forestry Commission

Find out more about the history of the Forestry Commission in Great Britain.