Specialist Peatland Restoration

Tender description

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) looks after the national forests and land to enhance biodiversity, support tourism and increase access to the green spaces that will help improve Scotland’s physical and mental health and well-being. FLS also continues to provide vital timber supplies to support a sustainable rural economy. Further information on who FLS are and what it does can be found here https://forestryandland.gov.scot/https://forestryandland.gov.scot/ There are extensive areas of deep peat on Scotland’s Forests & Land, including many which are afforested. FLS has committed to manage all peatlands on Scotland’s forests and land in a sustainable manner, maximising the delivery of ecosystem services for the benefit of Scotland’s people and environment. The aim of this contract is to provide specialist peatland restoration services to deliver our programme of restoration of degraded peatlands in line with targets agreed with Scottish Government as part of the wider Peatland Action delivery programme. These services are split into two distinct types of operation. Part A: Lots 1-11 Site Rewetting, and Part B: Lots 12-14 Specialised Peatland Harvesting By 2027 onwards we expect to be restoring at least 3,000 hectares annually, thereby reducing carbon emissions, capturing additional carbon and restoring valuable priority habitats that support priority species in the process. Alongside this is our duty to help deliver Scottish Government’s policy in relation to the Climate Emergency, and to do our part in delivering ecosystem services spanning environmental, social, and economical benefits. The contract term is a maximum of five (5) years (three (3) initial years plus one optional extension of 24 months). Lot 1: North Highland (Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross) Region: North Lot Description: North Highland (Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross) Covering Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) - Site modification works to interrupt existing forestry drainage patterns and influence site hydrology, for the purpose of mire restoration. This service also includes repair and restoration of peatland modifications and features found on open habitat areas, such as the hagged and eroding gullies found on Upland areas in Scotland. Lot 2: Skye, Wester Ross & Inverness-shire Region: North Lot Description: Skye, Wester Ross & Inverness-shire Covering Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) - Site modification works to interrupt existing forestry drainage patterns and influence site hydrology, for the purpose of mire restoration. This service also includes repair and restoration of peatland modifications and features found on open habitat areas, such as the hagged and eroding gullies found on Upland areas in Scotland. Lot 6: Kintyre (inc South Knapdale) Region: West Lot Description: Kintyre (inc South Knapdale) Covering Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) - Site modification works to interrupt existing forestry drainage patterns and influence site hydrology, for the purpose of mire restoration. This service also includes repair and restoration of peatland modifications and features found on open habitat areas, such as the hagged and eroding gullies found on Upland areas in Scotland. Lot 7: Central Region (inc Trossachs & Cowal) Region: Central Lot Description: Central Region (inc Trossachs & Cowal) Covering Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) - Site modification works to interrupt existing forestry drainage patterns and influence site hydrology, for the purpose of mire restoration. This service also includes repair and restoration of peatland modifications and features found on open habitat areas, such as the hagged and eroding gullies found on Upland areas in Scotland. Lot 8: North East (Aberdeenshire & Moray) Region: East Lot Description: North East (Aberdeenshire & Moray) Covering Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) - Site modification works to interrupt existing forestry drainage patterns and influence site hydrology, for the purpose of mire restoration. This service also includes repair and restoration of peatland modifications and features found on open habitat areas, such as the hagged and eroding gullies found on Upland areas in Scotland. Lot 9: Tay, Angus & Mearns Region: East Lot Description: Tay, Angus & Mearns Covering Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) - Site modification works to interrupt existing forestry drainage patterns and influence site hydrology, for the purpose of mire restoration. This service also includes repair and restoration of peatland modifications and features found on open habitat areas, such as the hagged and eroding gullies found on Upland areas in Scotland. Lot 10: South East (Dumfriesshire & the Borders) Region: South Lot Description: South East (Dumfriesshire & the Borders) Covering Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) - Site modification works to interrupt existing forestry drainage patterns and influence site hydrology, for the purpose of mire restoration. This service also includes repair and restoration of peatland modifications and features found on open habitat areas, such as the hagged and eroding gullies found on Upland areas in Scotland. Lot 11: South West (Galloway, Ayrshire & Arran) Region: South Lot Description: South West (Galloway, Ayrshire & Arran) Covering Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) - Site modification works to interrupt existing forestry drainage patterns and influence site hydrology, for the purpose of mire restoration. This service also includes repair and restoration of peatland modifications and features found on open habitat areas, such as the hagged and eroding gullies found on Upland areas in Scotland. Lot 13: North Highland (Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross), Skye, Wester Ross, Inverness-shire and North East (Aberdeenshire & Moray) Region: North & East Lot Description: North Highland (Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross), Skye, Wester Ross & Inverness-shire and North East (Aberdeenshire & Moray) Covering Part B: Specialist Peatland Harvesting (inc Mulching) - The recycling of failed forestry crops and/or naturally regenerated areas of woodland, for the purpose of mire restoration (mulching). Fibre Recovery Harvesting: Harvesting of marginal tree crops that may include brash and/or stump biomass on deep peat sites using techniques designed to minimise ground disturbance, for the purpose of mire restoration.