ONE of the UK's largest forestry firms has appointed its first peatland project manager. 

Dr Erin Stoll joins Scottish Woodlands' carbon team, the country's largest developer for Woodland Carbon Code projects, with several large-scale peatland restoration projects already completed and a number of others in the pipeline.

Dr Stoll has previously worked as a planning forester and peatland specialist, responsible for forest planning, grant applications, and peatland restoration initiatives. She has also worked at the Environmental Research Institute, part of the University of Highlands and Islands (UHI North Highland), in Caithness and for the John Muir Trust.

Dr Stoll said: “I’m really excited to be joining a company at the forefront of peatland restoration – and look forward to supporting a wide range of excellent projects as part of the Scottish Woodlands’ team.

“It’s also a great opportunity to develop my leadership, research, and project management skills within a larger organisation which is hugely respected in the rural sector.”

Emma Kerr, head of carbon at SW, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Erin on board, in what is a very significant appointment for the company.

“Her appointment as peatland project manager is the first in this growing sector by a mainstream forestry business. 

"Erin’s work will complement Scottish Woodlands’ current forestry management and carbon services and deliver peatland restoration projects for a wide range of clients with a carbon and environmental objective.”