What is sustainable forest management?

Sustainable forest management is the stewardship and use of forests and forest lands in a way, and at a rate, that maintains their biodiversity, productivity, regeneration capacity, vitality and their potential to fulfil, now and in the future, relevant ecological, economic and social functions, at local, national, and global levels, and that does not cause damage to other ecosystems.

The internationally recognised principles of sustainable forest management underpin Scotland’s forestry policies and practice, as set out in the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018.

UK Forestry Standard

The UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) and its associated good practice guides provide the detail of what sustainable forest management means in practice. Compliance with the UKFS is a prior condition for getting grant support and permission to fell and plant trees in Scotland.