Land Management
Here at Fordie Estate, we seek to achieve the delicate balance required to allow animals to graze in such a way that encourages floral and sward diversity. To do so, we employ a ‘Conservation Grazing’ approach, carefully controlling grazing animals, rather than their complete removal. The strategy includes reducing deer density and removing sheep from specific areas, allowing native flora to recover. This balanced approach aligns with successful regeneration efforts in other Scottish glens, where reducing grazing pressure has led to significant ecological recovery.
In addition to sheep, Fordie is exploring the possibility of employing small numbers of native breed cattle to enhance the regenerative grazing approach. Unlike sheep, cattle disturb the soil as they graze, leading to shorter grasses and patches of bare ground. These disturbances encourage the growth of a variety of flowers and herbs, in turn supporting a wider variety of invertebrates and encouraging greater diversity.
Fordie’s woodlands play a key role in achieving the financial and environmental sustainability goals of the estate. The existing woodlands are providing sustainable timber and supporting the UK’s timber reliant industries, while providing habitats to key species including a significant number of red squirrels.
The new woodland creation scheme is significantly extending the estate’s tree cover and has been designed with a careful mix of commercial and non-commercial species to encourage the protection and enhancement of biodiversity, whilst continuing sustainable timber production. The new woodlands will also play a vital role in the mitigation of climate change by sequestering a significant quantity of carbon dioxide.
During a recent visit, the Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary, Mairi Gougeon, highlighted the wide-reaching implications of Fordie’s forestry efforts, noting: “My visit to Fordie Estate offered a valuable insight into modern, sustainable forestry practices, and FSF’s (Foresight Sustainable Forestry) positive focus on enhancing biodiversity and community engagement”.
The Secretary further emphasized that the estate’s holistic approach to forestry and land management brings more than just ecological improvements: "This sustainable approach to forestry, afforestation, and land management not only benefits the environment but also has the potential to transform local communities. It creates significant employment opportunities, fosters economic growth, and promotes skills development across rural Scotland.”
By integrating community engagement into the project, Fordie Estate is ensuring that its initiatives bring tangible benefits to the people living and working in the area.
Alongside this project, Fordie’s hill ground houses seed banks that challenges the assumption that degraded habitats require replanting but rather the seed banks lie dormant for years. By removing pressures, such as overgrazing from deer, native trees and flowers that have been suppressed can flourish through their natural dispersion by other wildlife. This approach not only supports the recovery of our ecosystems but also aligns with our philosophy of working with nature to restore balance.
What is a wader?
Wader birds, as their name suggests, are typically found wading through shallow waters or along muddy shorelines. Known for their long legs and unique beaks, they are perfectly adapted to wetland habitats where they forage for food. Waders often gather in flocks, playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of Scotland’s wetland ecosystems.
Fordie Estate’s location in eastern Scotland makes it an ideal stopover for waders during their migration, offering shelter during winter before they journey north in spring.
What is Fordie doing to help the waders?
Fordie Estate is proud to be part of a Scottish Government scheme dedicated to the protection and promotion of wader breeding habitats. This aims to create safe, supportive environments for ground-nesting birds by minimising the risk of disturbance from livestock. By carefully managing grazing patterns and implementing measures to keep livestock away from sensitive nesting areas, we help protect vulnerable eggs and young birds from accidental harm. Through these efforts, Fordie plays a key role in preserving Scotland's rich biodiversity and ensuring that wader populations can thrive for future generations.
By adhering to a reserved grazing regime, Fordie Estate has been supported by the Scottish Government to instil a patchwork or ‘mosaic’ of traditional semi-natural habitats that need to be managed as a single unit. This management approach supports a range of important wildlife through conservation grazing and absence of chemicals. This is aligned with the idea that nature can recover and thrive when environmental pressures are alleviated.
The potential future introduction of cattle will greatly aid this effort as their grazing promotes a balance between open areas and areas of vegetation, allowing for a varied and resilient landscape that benefits a wide range of species.