Expotel’s carbon footprint offsetting projects

Nairnside Wood, Inverness-shire, Scotland

Nairnside Wood is just south of Inverness, the capital of the highlands. Historically Scotland was home of the Caledonian Pinewood, the majority of which has gradually disappeared.

Nairnside is a new native woodland that will help restore the Caledonian pinewood and provide a valuable habitat for many rate species including the Scottish crossbills, found only in the highlands of Scotland, the Capercaillie, whose numbers have dramatically declined in recent years and the Crested Tit.

Established with the simple objective of creating new native woodland, this site will be planted with rowan, willow, alder, juniper, scots pine and silver birch. Creeping lady trees, one of the few British orchids that are almost exclusive to Scotland, and twin flower are just two examples of rate flowering plants to be found there.

Nearby to Nairnside Wood are the Clava Cairns, one of the best preserved Bronze Age burial sites in Scotland as well as Urquhart Castle, one of Scotland’s most well known castles whose substantial remains perch dramatically on the edge of the loch, standing guard over the mysterious waters.

Green Lane Wood, Derbyshire, England

Green lane wood is located near the small town of Overseal in Derbyshire, close to Burton-on-Trent. The scheme will promote the conservation of key habitats such as ponds for species including snipe, bluebells, bats and ruddy darter butterflies and will allow the spread of valuable and rare wildflowers.

The planting includes mainly native species of oak, ash, birch, field maple and other mixed trees and shrubs.

Paths, trails and benches will be in place to extend local leisure facilities and allow community visits from local schools to learn about the new planting scheme.

Mynydd-Y-Garnedd, Wales

Right in the heart of Snowdonia. Mynydd-Y-Garnedd will link two existing National Nature Reserves through a ‘new native woodland’.

Mynydd-Y-Garnedd has been designed to grow from a combination of natural regeneration and new planting. The main species which will be planted are birch, sessile oak, rowan, willow, hazel and hawthorn – all grown from locally-sourced seed. The birch acts as a ‘pioneer’ species, growing quickly and improving the soil while the slower-growing other species catch up. To prepare the site a number of small non-indigenous conifers have been felled and the deadwood left to create a deadwood habitat. Finally the wet heaths and rock outcrops at the site have been left unplanted as areas of open space to create a diverse woodland with lots of different wildlife habitats.

As it says in the guidebook, Snowdonia provides still competition for other venues in terms of the number and range of activities taking place within such a localised area. For history, walking, cycling, climbing, pony trekking, surfing, water skiing, canoeing, quad biking, clay pigeon shooting or abseiling, Mynydd-Y-Garnedd is surrounded by inspiring things to do and see.