Residents are being asked to help shape the future of north-east woods.
Aberdeenshire Council is seeking the views of locals as it develops a new forestry and woodlands strategy.
More than 18% of the local landscape is tree covered – providing a home for protected species such as red squirrels and even wildcats – and the local authority’s planning service is opening discussions with residents on a number of issues.
Topics covered in the consultation include how existing forests should be managed, preferred areas for creating new woodlands and where grant support for forestry projects should be targeted.
The strategy will form part of the 2016 Aberdeenshire local development plan (LDP).
Along with an online consultation – available on the council’s website until October 14 – three public meetings will be held at the end of this month for anyone with an interest in forestry.
These will be at Banchory Town Hall on Monday, September 21; at Huntly’s Stewarts Hall on Wednesday, September 23, and Mintlaw Public Hall on Wednesday, September 30.
All will start at 6.45pm.
Councillor David Aitchison, chairman of the council’s infrastructure services committee, said: “Aberdeenshire is home to a rich diversity of forests and woodlands and it is very important that they are protected and enhanced through sustainable management.
“As part of Aberdeenshire’s LDP, the strategy will be given an important status within the statutory planning process as our forests cannot exist in isolation.”
Vice-chairman of the committee, Stephen Smith, said: “The council’s forestry and woodland strategy will provide a guide for future forest and woodland creation and management across the area and we want to hear the views of residents on how best to achieve this.”
For more information on the events and strategy email forestry&woodland@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.