Skip to main content

Testing the link testing the link here.

Home Using woodlands The many benefits of woodlands

Woods In and Around Towns

We are working to help tackle the barriers people face to visiting and using woods in urban and peri-urban areas. 

Discover why they are so important and the benefits they can provide. Find out about the support available to manage them and to make them more accessible.

Published: 23 Feb 2025

Topic: Using woodlands

The benefits of urban and peri-urban woods

All forests and woods deliver multiple benefits, which can include:

Social benefits such as:

  • improving mental health and well-being
  • increasing social cohesion and inclusion
  • providing a space for activity and recreation 

Economic benefits, such as:

  • providing tourism and job opportunities 
  • helping to regenerate degraded urban landscapes
  • helping attract business investment and development

Environmental benefits, such as:

  • helping to address the climate and biodiversity crises
  • improving air quality
  • contributing to natural flood management

What makes urban and peri-urban woods special?

92% of Scotland's population lives in our towns and cities. By providing greenspaces to use and enjoy, urban woods can enhance the quality of life of millions of people. 

They have a vital role to play in ensuring our urban areas are sustainable, liveable and productive places.

Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT)

Since 2005, under the banner of Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT), we have been supporting efforts to plant more urban and peri-urban woodlands, improve their management and promote their use.

Our partnership work is currently focused on supporting the delivery of three climate forest initiatives:

  • Clyde Climate Forest

Clyde Climate Forest (Clyde Climate Forest website)

  • Fife Climate Forest

Fife Climate Forest (Climate Action Fife website)

  • Forth Climate Forest

Forth Climate Forest (University of Stirling website)

They all aim to increase tree planting and woodland cover in their area. 

Collectively, the area covered by these initiatives is home to around 50% of Scotland’s population.

Since our work to support urban and peri-urban woodlands began, some significant successes have been achieved. 

For example, between 2005 and 2021, we’ve made support available to:

  • bring almost 12,000 hectares of urban/peri-urban woodland into active management
  • create nearly 2,000 hectares of new urban/peri-urban woodlands 
  • restore over 75 hectares of vacant and derelict land to woodland
  • create or upgrade almost 600 km of paths 

Funding support available

The Forestry Grant Scheme provides specific grants aimed at owners of existing urban and peri-urban woods:

  • woodland improvement grants for WIAT, covering the management of urban and peri-urban woods
    • this includes developing opportunities to use and enjoy woods
  • sustainable management of forests, covering public access to WIAT woodlands

Grants for urban and peri-urban areas

Grants are also available for woodland creation in urban and peri-urban areas. 

If your project is within an area called the Central Scotland Green Network, you may be eligible for an extra grant.

Financial Support for Managing Urban Woodlands in Scotland

Published: 23 Feb 2025

Last updated: 05 Jun 2026

Was this page helpful?

Rate your experience

Your feedback helps us to improve this website. Do not give any personal information because we cannot reply to you directly.

Your feedback helps us to improve this website. Do not give any personal information because we cannot reply to you directly.

Rate your experience

Your feedback helps us to improve this website. Do not give any personal information because we cannot reply to you directly.