Scottish Woodlands backs respectful engagement guidelines
Scottish Woodlands is promoting positive engagement with all stakeholders involved in forestry projects as part of an industry-wide initiative.
The company helped to develop Guidelines for Respectful and Constructive Engagement in Forestry Management – Scotland, part of a commitment to good practice in building stronger long-term relationships with all stakeholders.
Forestry and wood trade body Confor led the project, working with Scottish Woodlands as well as the Institute of Chartered Foresters, Scottish Forestry, Forestry and Land Scotland, the Scottish Land Commission, and Tilhill Forestry.
Megan Parker, Head of Certification, Environment and Planning at Scottish Woodlands, said: “This is important industry-wide work - and the clear message is that positive stakeholder engagement and clear expectations help forestry projects work better for everyone.”
"We understand that people are more focused on forestry than ever before and feel strongly about how our forests are managed. Many of us, myself included, are working in forestry because we have a passion for working outdoors and keeping our forests healthy and resilient. It is personally challenging when public engagement reveals misconceptions or unrealistic expectations about how and why we manage our forests. The challenge is greater when engagement results in negative comments, aggression or pressure. I am very pleased to have been involved in the development of this new guidance and I hope it will help those involved in forestry work toward positive engagements."
The new guidelines are aimed to complement existing guidance and to help set out clear expectations on all parties and how to handle situations when engagement stops being productive.
They address what behaviours are acceptable, and how unacceptable actions will be responded to, formalising protections for individuals as well as signposting complaints processes.
The Royal Forestry Society also created a powerful new video (https://rfs.org.uk/news-list/every-interaction-matters/) aimed at raising awareness of mental health in forestry, highlighting that many of our interactions with others can have deep lasting effects. Guidelines for Respectful and Constructive Engagement in Forestry Management-Scotland defines 'unacceptable behaviours' such as aggression, abuse, and unreasonable or persistent demands which those working in the forestry sector sometimes encounter. Scottish Woodlands encourage everyone involved in forestry and those interested in forestry to take time to ensure our interactions are driving positive and supportive work within the sector. We all want our forests to be well managed for years to come and we must all work together to accomplish it.
Find out more about the guidelines here.
