Episode Summary:

What happens when you bridge the gap between the architect's drawing board and the forest floor? In this episode, Morag Paterson sits down with Jez Ralph, co-founder of Evolving Forests, to explore a vision for forestry that moves beyond the "binary" of industrial plantations versus total preservation.

Jez shares his journey from archaeology and mountaineering to managing the Architectural Association's Forest Campus in South Devon. Together, they discuss the "Evolving the Forest" movement and why the future of the sector depends on diversified systems, high-quality timber production, and a "bullish" commitment to managing land for the forest's health rather than just the market's demands.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The "Centre Ground": Why we need to move past the polarised debate of commercialism vs. conservation.

• The Sawmill Challenge: The logistical hurdles of processing diverse, high-quality timber in a market built for commodity spruce.

• Demand-Led Landscapes: How architecture and design can drive more resilient and diverse planting choices.

• Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF): The benefits of permanent forest structures for ecology, soil carbon, and timber value.

• Manifesto Alignment: How these local innovations reflect the Forest Policy Group's 2025-26 Manifesto asks for localised governance and micro-business support.

About our Guest:

Jez Ralph is a forester and consultant with over 25 years of experience. Through his multi-disciplinary consultancy, Evolving Forests, he works to connect the timber supply chain, champion innovative construction, and tell the human stories behind our woodlands through film and media.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

• Forest Policy Group: forestpolicygroup.org

• FPG Manifesto 2025-26: Read the full Manifesto

• Evolving Forests: evolvingforests.com

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This episode of Let's Talk Better Forestry explores how a regional charity is redefining the relationship between commercial forestry and local communities in Scotland. Host Morag Paterson sits down with McNabb Laurie, Manager of Dumfries and Galloway (D&G) Woodlands, to discuss innovative models for land sharing, natural regeneration, and private-public partnerships.

D&G Woodlands serves as a "bridge" between the commercial forestry sector and local community ambitions, aiming to ensure that the region's massive timber industry provides tangible social, economic, and ecological value back to its people.

For those interested in the reform of Scottish forestry, this conversation provides a practical roadmap for democratisation. It demonstrates how principled, grassroots-driven initiatives can work constructively with private finance to create a more diverse and resilient landscape.

FPG would like to thank all our guests who joined us in 'Let's Talk Better Forestry.'

In this episode of Let's Talk Better Forestry, host Morag Paterson is joined by Stuart Goodall, Chief Executive of Confor, the representative body for the UK's private forestry and wood processing sector.

As the first guest of 2026, Stuart provides a high-level perspective on the "growing pains" of an industry he likens to a teenager -full of energy and potential, but occasionally causing friction as it finds its place in Scotland's landscape. The conversation delves into the vital role of commercial forestry in meeting Net Zero targets and addressing timber security in a country that currently imports 80% of its wood.

Stuart and Morag explore the "delivery gap" between ambitious government policy and the practical realities on the ground. They discuss the necessity of building a "social license" through better community engagement, acknowledging the historic tensions between traditional forestry practices and local people. From the heavily forested landscapes of the South of Scotland to the potential for smaller-scale, diverse woodland management, they search for the common ground where commercial productivity and ecological resilience meet.

Tune in for a constructive and wide-ranging discussion on how the forestry sector can mature, bridge the gap with local communities, and work alongside groups like FPG to create a more integrated and sustainable future for Scotland's woodlands.

FPG would like to thank all our guests who joined us in 'Let's Talk Better Forestry.'

P.S. To clarify a point mentioned in the episode regarding forest cover in the South of Scotland: while Morag noted it is approaching one-third, official statistics provide a more specific breakdown. The Regional Land Use Framework estimates forest cover for the South of Scotland at just over 22% as a whole, with approximately 27.86% in Dumfries and Galloway and 21.45% in the Scottish Borders.