Turning Over a New Leaf in South Scotland

That the Parliament commends the Borders Forest Trust for the work that it has carried out at the Carrifran Wildwood in the south of Scotland; understands that nearly two million trees have been planted in the area since the establishment of the trust 25 years ago; notes that volunteers of all ages have contributed, and continue to contribute, to what is a significant, yet unfinished, project; considers the work done by the Borders Forest Trust to have significantly improved the scenery of this Borders woodland in a relatively short period of time; accepts, however, that the work of the trust has to be replicated across the region, and indeed the country, to ensure a sustainable future for woodland such as that at Carrifran; believes that, as Scotland moves towards achieving net-zero emissions, it must meet targets of 18,000 hectares of new woodland being planted every year by 2025, and calls on the Scottish Government to consider the creation of a Scottish Conservation Corps to support this endeavour, which would create jobs and improve sustainability across future generations.