Woodland restoration - Pleasantfield, Scotland
An opportunity to support the restoration of a degraded grassland area in Scotland. The project involves planting native woodland species, restoring degraded waterways, and revitalising wildflower meadows to transform the landscape into a flourishing woodland ecosystem, thriving with wildflowers and wildlife.
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Project information
The Pleasantfield project
Pleasantfield is situated in the scenic Ayrshire countryside of Scotland. The 32-hectare site supported woodland until 1948. Decades of intensive agriculture have since degraded the site, turning it into grassland with limited habitat diversity and biodiversity value. Initial ecological surveys of the land reveal old hedgerows to be amongst the land’s most valuable features, providing food for bird species like fieldfares, redwings and mistle thrush.
This project aims to restore Pleasantfield into a flourishing woodland ecosystem, achieved by carefully selecting and planting a variety of trees to ensure that each species planted thrives and significantly contributes to the environment. Beyond woodland restoration, the project seeks to protect the site’s wet ditches and streams and convert the remaining grassland areas into wildflower meadows. This initiative will not only enhance the beauty of Pleasantfield’s landscape, but also increase the site’s existing habitat availability so it is vibrant with wildlife once again.
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Intervention
Woodland restoration
Location
Scotland, UK
Standard
UK Forestry Standard
Sustainable Goals
Project performance
The Earthly rating
The Earthly rating is the industry-first holistic project assessment. Earthly researchers analyse 106 data points, aggregating information across the three vital pillars of carbon, biodiversity and people. Projects in Earthly's marketplace all exceed a minimum score of 5/10.
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13,833
Tonnes of CO2e to be sequestered over 100 years
29.25
Hectares of newly planted woodland to be restored
4,900
Square metres of wildflower meadow and wetland enhancements
Project impact
Local impact
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This image highlights the project area and the main planting areas within the Pleasantfield project nested in the South Ayrshire landscape. As the project progresses, Earthly will continue to monitor changes within the project area and its neighbouring regions using satellite imagery.
Project area: planning process
Before the project's implementation, Scotland, like many other parts of the UK, lacked initiatives focused on carbon sequestration and GHG emission reductions that also benefitted biodiversity and local communities. The area faced financial challenges, which were the main cause of continuous ecosystem degradation and a general lack of care and protection, leading to overgrazing.
The project addresses these challenges through ongoing transformation and monitoring of these lands to create a thriving ecosystem and support a robust natural environment.
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Good for earth
The Pleasantfield project fosters a richer, more resilient landscape through the restoration of natural habitats, enhancing carbon sequestration, and furthering ecological balance. The project promotes the long-term benefits of woodland restoration by planting mainly broadleaf tree species, based on extensive surveys of breeding birds, archaeology, vegetation and soils, to ensure that each species thrives and significantly contributes to the environment.
The new woodland will naturally slow down water run-off and decrease downstream flooding, reducing soil erosion and aiding in flood risk management. In addition, the creation of wildflower meadows will attract pollinators, further enhancing the site’s insect biodiversity. Signs of wildlife recovery are already evident at the project, with increased sightings of goldfinches, ringlet butterflies, and the growth of the zig-zag clover.
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Positive for people
The project has accounted for the local community since its inception and began with community consultations during the application process. One key contribution of the project is that it aims to create job opportunities for local contractors, where possible, for tasks such as fencing, ground preparation, tree planting, and ongoing site maintenance. Over the long term, sustainable thinning of broadleaf areas will support local employment opportunities and contribute to the ongoing management and health of the woodland.
The project also encourages public recreational use of the site by providing public access and incorporating open-ground areas into the woodland design. Pleasantfield’s proximity to the town of Ayr makes it an ideal location for the local community to enjoy walks in the restored woodlands and reconnect with nature. In addition to social benefits, the project provides ecosystem benefits that enhance human well-being by improving air quality and encouraging the capture of carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere.
How we assess for quality
The Earthly scoring process
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