CWA myForest (Sylva Foundation) online training event
Brief report on a CWA training event held on 19 January 2023 introducing the forest management tool myForest .
CWA Citizen Science in Community Woodlands
Brief report on a workshop on 17 May 2022 exploring how members of community woodlands groups can contribute to ongoing research projects on climate change, tree diseases and ancient trees.
CWA Historic Environment in Woodlands
Brief report on a workshop on 9 February 2022 intended to introduce participants to the principles of recording and managing archaeology in the woodland environment.
CWA Effective Governance for Community Woodlands
Brief report on a workshop on 1 December 2021 led by James Hilder to support Directors / Trustees of community woodland groups to run their organisations efficiently, effectively and responsibly.
CLS / CWA Encouraging Responsible Behaviours
Brief report on a webinar on encouraging responsible behaviours in woodlands and greenspace co-hosted by Community Land Scotland and CWA on 9 September 2021.
CWA Controlling and Eradicating Rhododendron
Report on an online training event on controlling and eradicating Rhododendron held on 24 August 2021.
CLS / CWA Communities and the Carbon Codes
Brief report on a webinar on communities and the carbon codes co-hosted by Community Land Scotland and CWA on 1 June 2021.
CWA / LyG Certification for Small and Community Woodlands
Brief report on an online training event on forest stewardship certification for small and
community woodlands co-hosted with Llais y Goedwig held on 23 March 2021.Brief report on an online training event on non-timber forest products co-hosted with Llais y Goedwig held on 12 March 2021.
Brief report on an online training event on ash dieback held on 26 February 2021.
Brief report on an online training event on integrating farming and forestry held on 12 February 2021.
Brief report on an online training event on producing charcoal and biochar held on 29 January 2021.
Brief report on an online training event on fuelwood held on 15 January 2021.
CWA Multi-trails: trail promotion
Report on a one-day training event on trail network promotion held online on 13 October 2020 as part of the LEADER-funded Multi-trails project.
CWA Multi-trails: trail planning and management
Report on a one-day training event on trail planning and management held at Laggan Wolftrax Centre on 16 March 2020 as part of the LEADER-funded Multi-trails project.
CWA Multi-trails: trail specification and grading
Report on a one-day training event on trail specification and grading held at Aigas on 24 October 2019 as part of the LEADER-funded Multi-trails project.CWA Multi-trails: trail planning
Report on a one-day training event on trail planning held at Lochcarron on 15 August 2019 as part of the LEADER-funded Multi-trails project.CWA FES CATS workshop 2019
Report on a one-day workshop for groups developing asset transfer requests under the Forest Enterprise Scotland Community Asset Transfer Scheme held in Stirling, 25 January 2019.CWA MLWW tourism seminar
Report on the CWA Tourism in Community Woodlands seminar held at Invergarry, 17 January 2019.CWA MLWW woodfuel seminar
Report on the CWA Woodfuel seminar held on 1 October 2018 at Aigas.CWA FES CATS workshop 2018
Report on a one-day workshop for groups developing asset transfer requests under the Forest Enterprise Scotland Community Asset Transfer Scheme held in Perth on 24 Jan 2018.CWA Hutting seminar
Report on the CWA Hutting seminar held at Colintraive Village Hall, 7th May 2016CWA Green burials seminar
Report on CWA Green burials seminar held at Aigas, 5 March 2016CWA Leases, licences and charges seminar
Report on CWA Leases, licences and charges seminar held at Laggan, 10 February 2016Procurement Workshop Report, 9th March 2015
Report for the Procurement Workshop held as part of ’A Wood of Our Own’ network.Conflict Resolution April 2014
Following demand after a short workshop on Conflict Resolution held at the CWA Conference 2013, CWA teamed up with Highlands and Islands Enterprise to deliver one-day workshops exploring the issues around conflict and looking at ways to resolve them.CWA Knowledge Share Programme 2011-13
This report compiles, summarises and analyses feedback from the 2011-13 CWA Knowledge Share programme, which comprised 36 events, attracting a total of 830 participants.Coppice Management, Kingussie, Nov 2012
Kingussie Community Development Company held a very successful coppice workshop in November 2012. This report provides an overview of the event, and the skills that were gained.Aspen Conservation & Propagation Workshop - Aug 2013
This report focuses on the Aspen Conservation & Propagation Workshop event delivered as part of the CWA Knowledge and Skills Development Scheme 2011/12. This event took place on 26th August 2013, training a total of seven people. This report summarises the event and is supplemented by trainee feedback (forms) on the quality of the training.Introduction to Green-Woodworking: shake and shingle making Malls Mire Community Woodland, Toryglen, Glasgow - July 2013
This 2 day course took place in the woodland and was led by Mike Ellis of Helmsdale Woods, with support from the Urban Roots woodland officer. It was open to a mix of Urban Roots volunteers, other CWA members and anyone who had a professional interest in learning more about making shakes and managing woodlands for green woodworking.Working with WordPress Training Report - July 2013
The aim of the course was to help participants become familiar with the workings of WordPress in order to help set up and maintain their community websites to be as fresh, exciting, dynamic and as up to date as possible.
Wooplaw Greenwood Weekend Wooplaw Woods, Galashiels - May 2013
The purpose of the events was to encourage and facilitate green woodworking activities in Wooplaw and among other similar groups and individuals.
Plain English for Funding Applications Monday - May 2013
This one-day course was to help improve grant applications, reports, letters, and other documents. It was also to help write simply and communicate efficiently. Grant applications have a greater chance of succeeding if they are written in Plain English.
Drystone Dyke Building Course - April 2013
The course aimed to give local people and other members of CWA a chance to learn a skill under the instruction of an expert and also provide the Forest with a low boundary wall, suitable for use as seating, as a finishing touch to the Log Shelter that was built last year.
Fintry Development Trust Introduction to Woodland Management Workshop - April 2013
The Introduction to Woodland Management Workshop aimed to inform attendees on how they could manage local woodlands in a sustainable way for what they want to achieve.
Woodfuel Processing Training Report - March 2013
The day was aimed at two groups: self-employed contractors who want to develop their skillset so that they can carry out work for Lochbroom Woodfuels; and other community woodlands groups who want to find out more about firewood processing machinery with a view to adding value to their timber.
Introduction to Charcoal Making Practical Workshop - March 2013
This report provides an overview of the Introduction to Charcoal Making Practical Workshop event that took place in Glasgow, March 2013. The event was held for Green Aspirations Scotland.
Willow Fedge Report, Killearn, February 2013
This report provides an overview of the willow fedge event that took place in Killearn in February 2013. The event was held for Green Aspirations Scotland.
Coppice Management Report, Glasgow, February 2013
This report was created by Green Aspirations Scotland, and provides an overview of the Coppice Management training course that took place in Glasgow in February 2013
Wood Products & Brand Development, Knoydart Dec 2013
CWA Enterprising Woods supported training for project member Knoydart Forest Trust. The aim was to enable Knoydart Forest Trust and partners to develop a strategy for small product for local tourism markets.
Health in Woods Seminar, Lochgilphead November 2013
As part of the CWA Enterprising Woods project, CWA ran a Health in Woods seminar in partnership with CWA members, Blarbuie Woodland Enterprise and Abriachan Forest Trust and NHS Highland. The seminar included presentations from partners involved in delivering health-based activities within community woodlands plus workshops and discussions including how to set up activities, practical activity sessions and a site visit to Blarbuie Woods.
Forest Gardening Workshop, Ullapool, October 2013
As part of the CWA Enterprising Woods project CWA teamed up with Ullapool Community Trust for a one day practical forest gardening workshop at Leckmelm Woods.
Wood Product Workshop, Lochgilphead March 2013
This report provides an overview of the 2 day woodland product workshop that took place in Argyll, March 2013. CWA teamed up with the Big Tree Society with funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise to deliver a workshop that was practical, informative, challenging and fun.
Growing and Harvesting Food in Community Woodlands Seminar Report, Torridon April 2013
As part of the CWA Enterprising Woods project, CWA brought together community woodlands, crofters, forest gardeners, foragers and other experts to deliver a 2 day seminar covering growing and harvesting food in community woodlands.
Traditional Woodsman Skills, Helmsdale, 2013
As part of the CWA Enterprising Woods project - Timber Products and Skills, CWA teamed up with Helmsdale Charcoal & Coppice to run their Level 3 Traditional Woodsman course. The 5 day course covered, both in theory and in practice, techniques relating to coppicing and a variety of greenwood crafts and skills.
The CWA Employability Services project supported 10 Highland based CWA members with regards to developing social enterprise and employability opportunities. 3 key themes emerged from the project to be taken forward through the Enterprising Woods project. This proposal concentrates on capturing and developing models of working with people suffering from poor mental health.
The CWA Employability Services project supported 10 Highland based CWA members with regards to developing social enterprise and employability opportunities. 3 key themes emerged from the project to be taken forward through the Enterprising Woods project. This proposal concentrates on growing woodlands and the opportunities to grow food.
Wood Products and Skills Proposal
The CWA Employability Services project supported around 10 Highland based CWA members with regards to developing social enterprise and employability opportunities. This proposal concentrates on developing and supporting timber products as a value added product from community woodlands.
Money Tree Part 3, Dunnet, Mar 2012
The Social Enterprise Academy adapted and ran their 2 day Partnership for Enterprise module as part of the CWA Employability Services project.
Money Tree Part 2, Inverness, Feb 2012
The Social Enterprise Academy adapted and ran their 2 day Marketing your Social Enterprise module as part of the CWA Employability Services project.
Money Tree Part 1, Knoydart, Sep 2011
The Social Enterprise Academy adapted and ran their 2 day Managing Finance, Generating Income as part of the CWA Employability Services project.
Wood Products Workshop, Milton CWT, Aug 2011
A practical, hands-on follow up to the seminar in March 2011. It aimed to enable participants to share ideas and skills and learn how to put together a strategy for wood product development for their woodland.
Wood Products Seminar, Milton, Mar 2011
This one day seminar was sparked by discussion held through the CWA Employability Services Project and the results from a report commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise to undertake market research into community woodland groups and timber products. The seminar provided an opportunity for to take a general look into production, the requirements of the retail sector, how other social enterprises have approached production, how to decide what to produce and then how to develop a product. A panel of contributors from the sector and support organisations were on hand to share their experience and expertise.
Winter Tree Ident & Survey - Dec 2011
This report focuses on the A Walk in the Glen – Winter Tree Identification event delivered as part of the CWA Knowledge and Skills Development Scheme 2011/12. This event took place on the 4th December 2011, training a total of 18 people.
Scribe Log Build Report - Oct / Nov 2011
This is the final report produced by Morvern Community Woodlands for the Scribe Log Building training course held on 28-30 October and 4-6 November 2011.
Wood Product Development, Buy Design Gallery, Oct 2011
This is the final report for the Wood Product Development event. This event took place on Saturday 16th October 2011.
Coastal Woodland Management Report, Fife, Feb 2013
This report provides an overview of the Introduction to Coastal Woodland Management training event that took place in Buckhaven, Fife in Feb 2013.
Employability and Governance Training Report, Milton, Feb 2013
Report on the Employability and Governance Training event that took place in Milton in Feb 2013. The training was led by James Hilder of An Roth Associates, and featured discussion on employment law, charitable status, VAT etc. This report provides an overview of the day.
Mountain Bike Trail Construction, South Queensferry. Apr-Oct 2012
GreenFerry are currently constructing our own mountain bike facilities “The Vat Run” as a training ground for MTB skills. To help get things started GreenFerry organised six separate days’ training in mountain-bike trail-building. This report provides details of these sessions and feedback on the success of this project, and the benefits it has brought the local community.
Path Building - Broadford - Oct 2012
In October 2012, Broadford and Strath Community Company delivered a series of 4 practical path building training events. This report summarises these events and gives feedback on the success of the project.
Engaging Communities, Kirkton Woods - July 2012
This report was produced by Kirkton Woodland & Heritage Group. It provides details of the day’s activities and feedback from those who attended.
Woodland Forage - Alva - Sept 2012
This report provides information and feedback on the Woodland Forage walk and cookery demonstration that took place in Alva, Clackmannanshire on the 23rd September 2012.
Woodland Heritage - Cree Valley, June 2012
This report focuses on the Woodland Heritage in Dumfries and Galloway event delivered as part of the CWA Knowledge and Skills Development Scheme 2011/12. This event took place on 7th and 8th June 2012, training a total of 41 people. This report summarises this event and gives feedback on the success of the project. The purpose of this event was to bring together local experts and national consultants to discuss the woodland heritage of the Cree Valley as a forerunner to a new Cree Valley Woodland Heritage project currently being developed by Cree Valley Community Woodlands Trust (CVCWT).
Greenwood Woodworking - Dunnet - July 2012
This report summarises and provides feedback from the two-day Greenwood Working event delivered as part of the CWA Knowledge and Skills Development Scheme 2011/12. This event took place on Saturday and Sunday 14th & 15th July 2012, with a total of 17 delegates learning new skills and gaining more experience with greenwood work.
Dunbar Greenwood - Shave Horse Construction
This report focuses on the Shave Horse Construction event held at Buy Design Gallery, Jedburgh in March 2012. Delegates from Dunbar Community Woodland participated, learning new skills and gaining more experience with greenwood work, the end product of 4 shave horses to take back to the woods in Dunbar.
LLCCDC Fertile Soils Report - February 2012
This is the final report for the LLCCDC Fertile Soils training event held in Lybster on the 11th Feb 2012 which attracted 60 attendees.
Woodland Heritage, Anagach Woods, October 2011
This is the final report produced by Dr Coralie Mills, for the Woodland Heritage training workshop, held in Grantown on Spey on 27th and 28th of October 2011.
Cordwood Wall, Milton CWT Aug & Sept 2011
This is the final report produced by Milton Community Woodland Trust for the Cordwood Wall building course held at Milton Community Woodland on the 8th-12th August and the 29th August – 2nd September 2011.
Sawlog Extraction & Processing in Small Woodlands, Kirkhill March 2010
Kirkhill & Bunchrew Communty Trust have been managing Upper Reelig Wood with the agreement of FCS for 10 years. For the last two years they have aspired to progress to extracting timber sized trees and processing these on site. The skills development scheme has been an outstanding opportunity to acquire the skills for this advance. With the new skills acquired through the course KBCT is confident that it can now manage the woodland in a financially self-sustaining way with income from the sale of sawn timber.
Delivery of the course was a co-operative effort involving all members of the KBCT Woodland Group which was a significant benefit towards enhanced group cohesion.
Woodland Management Planning, Falkland May 2009
This is the final report produced by Falkland Centre for Stewardship for the Woodland Management Course held at The Stables workshop on Saturday 16th of May. The course was well received with 16 people attending. The course was hosted by The Community Woodlands Association in association with Falkland Centre for Stewardship and Falkland Conservation Group. The course was led by Donald McPhillimy Associates Ltd.
Green Woodworking and Pole Lathe Turning, Dunottar Wood April 2010
The key learning points of this course were: to provide an opportunity for participants to take part in a variety of green wood working processes. Use bodging processes to make a simple wooden stool from locally sourced timber and/or contribute to the manufacture of shaving horses for use by the host group.
Huntly and Moray Woodlands Workshop, Huntly & Forres October 2010
The day was organised into workshop presentations followed by questions and answer sessions in the morning, followed in the afternoon by visits to the Findhorn Dunelands woodland and the Forres Sanquhar Woodlands belonging to the Forres Community Woodlands Trust.
Woodland Management, Cassiltoun August 2010
This is the final report produced by the Community Woodlands Association for the Woodland Management Course held at The Castlemilk Stables workshop on Monday 23rd August 2010.
Inspiring Volunteers, Kirkton July 2010
The Country Day Event at Kelso Farm, Strathcarron, on 30th July, attracted some 326 locals and visitors. The various demonstrations and diversity of local foods and craft stalls made it a fun day for all.
Staging & Managing Theatre Events in Woodlands, Morvern July 2010
Morvern Community Woodlands organised a one-day Woodland Theatre Workshop at Achnaha Community Woodland, Morvern led by Kenn Musso and Antti Jalkanen from te POOKa on Sunday the 18th of July 2010. The event targeted members of community woodland groups and others who are interested in learning how to tell a story theatrically in an outdoor environment.
Moth and Butterfly ID & Survey, Gearrchoille Community Wood June 2010
The purpose of the event on 16th June was to improve skills (among young and old) in identifying the great variety of moths found in woodland. GCWA wanted to give the future guardians of their woodland a stake in its biodiversity by involving them as actively as possible in the event, and to invite representatives from other community woodlands (CWs) to participate in the event in order to observe and comment on the process and possibly be inspired to copy the model for application in their own CW.
Inspiring Volunteers. Menstrie June 2010
This is the final report produced by the Community Woodlands Association for the Woodland Awareness Raising / Networking Event held during Menstrie Gala Day, Menstrie on the 12th June 2010. The day was a great success with over 1000 people attending the gala with many taking part in the activities laid on by the host group Menstrie Community Woodland. The event was supported by the Community Woodlands Association with contributions from the Woodland Orchestra and Brotus Rural Crafts.
Inspiring Volunteers, Alva Glen May 2010
This seminar was aimed at anyone with an interest in building volunteer groups within their community; CWA worked with the Stirling & Clackmannanshire Woodland & Greenspace Officer and the Scottish Council for Volunteers, Brutus Rural Crafts and the Woodland Orchestra to deliver a day that inspired, informed and educated attendees to the potential for fun and variety of activities available when engaging with a community woodland.
Woodland Groups and Networking, Milton May 2010
The Community Woodland and Artists Networking Event took place at Milton on 21st May The aim of this session was to enable CWs and practitioners to provide feedback of the support and training needs of the two groups in order to develop cross‐sectoral projects and then to provide input to and shape the delivery of the proposed Collarboration project ensuring that it meets the needs of all participants.
Woodland Gardens, Bothwell May 2010
This course took place at Bothwell on Wednesday 19 May 2010 and was hosted by Ron Gilchrist and Marion Jess representing Greenway Consulting The Key objectives of the course were to: realise the significance of growing sustainably, learn how to live sustainably from what ground we have, learn techniques for maximum plant and soil vigour and to specify a personal or group task plan based on what we’ve learned.
Woodland Gardens, Fairlie April 2010
This course took place at Ardrossan on Thursday 15 April 2010 and was hosted by Ron Gilchrist and Marion Jess representing Greenway Consulting The Key objectives of the course were to: realise the significance of growing sustainably, learn how to live sustainably from what ground we have, learn techniques for maximum plant and soil vigour and to specify a personal or group task plan based on what we’ve learned.
Glasgow Woodlands Networking Event March 2010
This seminar pulled together individuals across Glasgow with an interest in forming community woodland groups or supporting existing groups.
Project Development Funding, Dundee August 2009
This event was arranged jointly by CWA with Development Trusts Association Scotland. This was due to the subject matter of the event being relevant to all our members whatever their particular interest or project.
Woodland Deer Management, Knoydart May 2009
This event aimed to develop our own woodland deer management and to offer the same opportunity to other woodland groups. The course was aimed at existing and trainee stalkers who want to develop their woodland deer management skills and techniques and Community Woodland project managers and management groups who want to increase their knowledge and understanding.
This event offered another great opportunity to network, highlight and discuss common issues and concerns, share skills and experiences, and learn from the inspirational work of others.
CWA Knowledge Share Programme 2008-10
This report compiles, summarises and analyses feedback from the 2008-10 CWA Knowledge Share programme, which comprised 26 events, attracting a total of 601 participants.
Community Woodfuel: Social Enterprise Seminar, Abriachan, September 2008
The objectives of the 2-day event were:
• To increase awareness of the role that Community Woodland social enterprises play in woodfuel supply at the local scale and of the opportunities presented by the current energy crisis;
• To provide participants with the information and contacts to set up and develop a woodfuel social enterprise, apply for funding and acquire appropriate equipment;
• To improve understanding of the economic, business management and technical considerations for running a successful community woodfuel supply as a social enterprise.
The event included: presentations from existing Community Woodland social enterprises; presentations on marketing, funding and business planning; profit/loss group exercises; a woodfuel processing demo in Abriachan Forest; and a visit to Reelig Glen managed by FCS and Kirkhill & Bunchrew Community Trust – Woodland Group.
Banner Image: Woodchip and timber at Tormore
Photo credit: Sleat Community Trust