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The vision for the Millennium Forest for Scotland was of a very special celebration of the new millennium which would provide a real legacy for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.
At a time when great efforts are being made to turn around the severe decline in our native woodland cover, The Millennium Forest has offered a means of making a significant difference. In contrast to many of the short term celebrations that took place for the millennium, the effects of the Millennium Forest should be seen for centuries to come.
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The colour and beauty of Scotland's native woodlands is unrivalled, as is the number of plants, animals and insects they support. Describing the trees thought to have reached Britain unaided since the Ice Age, 10 000 years ago, the term "native" includes oak, birch, ash, aspen, alder, hazel, willow and Scots Pine.
The barren hillsides now thought of as "typical" Scottish scenery were once covered by native woods, with their wonderful subtle textures and colours of green, gold, russet and brown. But over the years these woodlands were cleared, or fell out of management, so that today very little remains.
During the 1980s action began to reverse the decline and when, in 1994, the Millennium Commission announced that grants would be given to support inspirational environmental projects, this was seized upon. A public campaign was launched and the result was the creation of a new concept - a Millennium Forest for Scotland.
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The Millennium Forest is far more than one woodland. It comprises 80 woodland projects working on nearly 400 sites, large and small, spread across the length and breadth of Scotland. Each project represents a partnership between individuals and organisations as diverse as government bodies, local authorities, environmental charities and local community groups.
The Millennium Forest for Scotland Trust acted as the mechanism for securing the £11.3m of National Lottery funds, pledged by the Millennium Commission. The Trust has provided the focus, the means and the encouragement, but the work on the ground has depended upon the enthusiastic efforts of others.
The total investment in the Millennium Forest has been in the region of £30m. Many organisations have contributed land, time and co-funding to the individual projects.
In particular the support of the Forestry Commission and Scottish Natural Heritage has been crucial to the success of the initiative. The voluntary time of individuals has also been an important and valued resource.
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In addition to the woodland restoration projects, individuals across Scotland undertook personal projects as part of the Millennium Forest for Scotland Millennium Awards Scheme. Awards of around £3 000 were granted to 290 people who put forward imaginative ideas for projects that linked communities and woodlands.