Our Changeprint
Our Changeprint can be measured by the benefits we provide for Education (the woodlands are used by several teaching organisations), Conservation (as part of Scotland’s precious ‘Ancient Semi Natural Woodlands’, ASNW) and Recreation (with woodland paths and year-round activities for visitors to enjoy). ASNW are often described as the most important single category of woods for nature conservation and biodiversity.
Our story
Cormonachan Community Woodlands consist of 158 acres of ancient Atlantic oak and hazel woodlands and are a recognised part of Scotland’s Rainforest. These woodlands have the status of being ‘Ancient Semi Natural Woodlands’ (ASNW) that are preserved for education, conservation and recreation.
The community woodlands area is on the west shore of Loch Goil, between Lochgoilhead and Carrick Castle, Argyll. It is a joint woodlands project that was started in 1998, with co-operation between Ardroy Outdoor Education Centre, Lochgoil Community Trust, Lochgoil Primary School and Forest Enterprise Scotland and then under a not-for-profit organisation, Cormonachan Woodlands Association.
During this period we have created 2.5 km of circular paths, a car park, an archaeological investigation on the medieval settlement, built a red squirrel hide and a contemplation shelter. Other works have included clearing away all invasive Rhododendron ponticum and non-native Sitka spruce from the woodlands and replacing these areas with native deciduous trees.
The woodlands are currently used for educational purposes by Ardroy Outdoor Education Centre, school and youth groups and by Lochgoil Primary School for projects and for recreational walks by local residents of Carrick Castle, Lochgoilhead and visitors to the area.
Our advice
It takes a community to grow a woodland! We have had considerable help from Forest and Land Scotland, Loch Lomond The Trossachs National Park and Community Woodlands Association. Many others have helped us too, with our funding; members training; providing tools, equipment and signs; help with people counter and our archaeological survey.
Think creatively about fundraising. As a not-for-profit volunteer organisation, our income stream is from members subscriptions that pay for the running of the organisation and woodlands maintenance is carried out by the volunteers, with all projects funded by grants. We have found creative ways to boost revenues, for example by raising commission to us through easyfundraising (where over 8,000 online retailers pay us a small commission on your purchases and it costs you nothing).
