Dumyat Hill was chosen to welcome councillors as part of the Future Forest Company’s preparations for Climate Week.

Stirling Councillor Jim Thomson and Alyn Smith MP headed to the site to speak with the forest company to discuss the ongoing battle against climate change.

Dumyat is an award-winning site managed by The Future Forest Company and is estimated to sequester over 80,000 tonnes of carbon over the next one hundred years.

Jamie Adcock, senior forest manager at The Future Forest Company, briefed the councillors on their approach to land management and the progress that has been made since work began earlier this year.

The two politicians saw first-hand the range of biodiversity projects underway at Dumyat including the transformation from an ecologically degraded grassland into wildflower meadows and the creation of new wetland to provide habitat for flowers, insects and birds.

Alyn Smith MP said: “I was delighted to meet with the team and find out more about their exciting work on the landscapes we all know and love here in Stirling.

“We’re blessed across Stirling and the Forth Valley area with an abundance of green spaces and ready access to nature, and as the current stewards of our natural heritage, we could be doing more to enhance it.

“Restoring native woodland is a sensible way to help tackle climate change, repair damaged ecological systems and, with the right management and engagement, can become a cultural asset in its own right.

“I very much look forward to seeing this important work progress and wish The Future Forest Company the very best in their worthwhile endeavour.”

The Future Forest Company recently won an award at Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards, recognising its efforts to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, restore biodiversity and fight climate change.

This award was given to the organisation for its work at Dumyat and a site in North Ayrshire.

Jim Thomson added: “I was delighted to have been given the opportunity to tour the historic Dumyat hillside to see the tree planting and wider biodiversity work undertaken by The Future Forest Company.

“The fact that a company is willing to invest in our future and also restore our natural environment is hugely encouraging. Planting indigenous trees and opening up the landscape for all to enjoy must be applauded.

“It’s on our doorstep, I’d encourage others to go see for themselves what can be achieved with forethought and imagination.”

Full details on the Dumyat project can be found at thefutureforestcompany.com/our-forests/.