Carston wins Climate Champion Award at Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards

We are incredibly proud and excited to share the news that our Carston site was awarded the Climate Champion Award at the prestigious Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards last night.

 

We are delighted that our hard work in reforestation and sustainable land management has been recognised for its outstanding commitment to combating climate change. Our project at Carston, located in Ayrshire, not only contributes to increased biodiversity but also aligns with Scotland's ambitious carbon reduction goals, offering a blueprint for sustainable forestry in the face of a changing climate. 

The Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards ceremony, held at Holyrood Room at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Wednesday 27th November, brought together leaders in forestry, conservation, and sustainability to celebrate the innovative projects making a difference in Scotland’s natural environment.

The awards celebrate excellence in forestry across Scotland, recognising projects that combine sustainable practices with ecological restoration. The Climate Champion Award, in particular, is presented to initiatives that make significant strides in addressing climate change through innovation, restoration, and long-term environmental stewardship. 

Winning the award recognises Carston as a model for responsible land management. Through carefully planned reforestation and biodiversity restoration projects, the site is helping to rebuild natural ecosystems, restore vital habitats for wildlife, and sequester carbon – effectively contributing to Scotland’s broader climate goals.

 

Jamie Adcock, our Senior Forestry Manager, says, “It’s a great achievement for Carston to be recognised as a climate champion. The diverse mixture of species planted will create a resilient forest for the future, and the close proximity to the community of Drongan will help bring people closer to nature.”

At The Future Forest Company, we took a holistic approach to forest management at Carston, incorporating native tree species, enhancing soil health, and establishing resilient ecosystems that are adapted to future climate challenges. The project has already seen significant improvements in biodiversity, with numerous species of birds, insects, and other wildlife returning to the area, while carbon capture rates are steadily increasing.

Tom Newell, General Manager at The Future Forest Company, says, “We’re delighted to receive this award, and the continued recognition for the work we undertake, in this case at Carston, but it's reflective of our efforts across all of our Scottish sites, where we’ve planted over 1.5 million appropriate trees.”

"This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the Carston site project," says Tom. "Our vision is to help nature thrive, while also addressing the pressing challenges of climate change. We’re thrilled to see the impact of our efforts recognised, and we hope to inspire others to take bold actions for the planet’s future."

The Carston site’s work aligns with our broader mission to restore and protect Scotland’s landscapes through sustainable forest management practices. We remain committed to expanding our restoration projects across the country, continuing to lead by example in the fight against climate change. Each of the award winners received £1,000 prize money which will be re-invested into community and collaborative group projects on-site.

Find out more about what’s happening at Carston here.