EDWIN POOTS with Scottish Woodlands Brian Malcomson, landowner David McConaghy, and NI Forest Service s John Joe O’Boyle NORTHERN IREW=LAND S Rural Affairs Minister, Edwin Poots, recently visited a large new woodland creation project near Stranocum in North Antrim, which is funded by almost £450,000 from his department. The 50 hectare site is the largest scheme to benefit from NI s Forest Expansion Scheme to date, receiving approximately £445,000 over 10 years to create a woodland comprising 75% commercial conifers and 25% broadleaves. As well as delivering significant carbon capture benefits, the woodland will provide potential for tourism development, income from timber production, while conserving and enhancing local biodiversity and the landscape.