1. Community and Enterprise Resources Hamilton High Parks Restoring an ancient treescape 31/10/2014

2.  200 ha of ancient woodland – nearly all semi-natural until 1940s  80 ha felled and planted with conifers between 1945 and 1970  Connection between Clyde valley Woodlands and Avondale SAC  One of the largest PAWS sites in southern Scotland  Intact soil integrity over much of the park – fungi & invertebrates suggest high biodiversity  High structural and habitat diversity – and Cadzow Oaks 31/10/2014 Community and Enterprise Resources

3.  Early history of Cadzow as a fortress and hunting area for the Kings of Romano British Al Clut (Strathclyde)  Became part of new state of Scotland under David 1 st – defensive fortress, access to timber, hunting estate – laid out Cadzow Forest  Following wars of independence passed by Robert 1 st to Walter Fitzgilbert de Hamildoun  Integral part of the Hamilton “Great Design” – Chatelherault was interface between classical and romantic elements  Hamilton palace demolished in 1920s – neglect and coniferisation  Estate passed to Hamilton District Council in 1981 and opened as a Country Park in 1989 28/02/2014 Community and Enterprise Resources

4. Priorities  Progressively remove conifers and manage regeneration  Manage broad-leaved component to maintain habitat diversity and improve productivity – secure long-term biodiversity  Restore and enhance key landscape features  Restore and improve access network  Protect and interpret built heritage  Better connectivity to neighbouring communities – active travel  Sustainable and manageable park infrastructure 28/02/2014 Community and Enterprise Resources

5. Constraints  High visitor numbers but limited path network  Poor to non-existent extraction routes  Extraction across private farmland  Visitor and community perceptions  Steep, wet slopes  Vulnerable soils – high biodiversity  High badger population  Protection of historical features  Poor past management of plantations Variable timber quality Variable timber quality Vulnerable to wind throw in some areas Vulnerable to wind throw in some areas  Capital Cash flow is critical – within each phase  Must work towards revenue sustainability 28/02/2014 Community and Enterprise Resources

6. Opportunities – Regeneration potential 28/02/2014 Community and Enterprise Resources Laverock Hill 2005 2009 2011 Laverock Hill in summer of 2014 - 10 years of natural regeneration

7. Opportunities – reinvestment of timber value  Maximise external capital leverage  Phase extraction to optimise biodiversity regeneration and cash flow from timber  Regenerate footpath system and replace key river crossing  Develop new foot/cycle links to Hamilton and Larkhall  Restore key viewpoints – e.g to rear of Chatelherault  Optimise extraction periods and plant to minimise soil compaction or churning  Comply with all species protection legislation  Consult with park users and stakeholders  Keep visitors fully informed of project plans, timings and any access restrictions 28/02/2014 Community and Enterprise Resources

8. Process to date  Conservation Management Plan developed for whole estate – landscape, heritage and biodiversity  Draft Recreation Plan completed to guide access and recreational priorities and opportunities  Forest Management Plan completed – to guide decisions on best forestry practice, cash flow and phasing of extraction operations  Scoping and public consultation due to start once basic principles agreed with FCS  All of the above will inform the Long term Forest Plan which will set out the restructuring process and guide future management 28/02/2014 Community and Enterprise Resources

9. Proposed first phase:  Felling of western hemlocks below Chatelherault will restore key viewpoint and support interpretation of regeneration project.  Felling of all conifers on western side of gorge will deal with areas vulnerable to wind throw and allow short term, one off creation of access across private farmland.  Path along eastern edge of gorge to be upgraded to allow long term extraction and management access 28/02/2014 Community and Enterprise Resources