Approval date – January 2026

Aims and objectives

The Nano-Nurseries Network aims and objectives are as follows:

To conduct for the benefit of its members, the activities of

(1) Promoting small-scale nurseries in Scotland that produce trees for countryside stewardship purposes, to businesses and the public.

(2) Developing training programmes and seeking industry insights with the aim of supporting Nano-Nurseries Network members improve their nursery operations by providing information and co-ordinating agreed activities.

(3) Facilitating relations between Nano-Nurseries Network members and the wider forestry and environmental sectors to facilitate the production of suitable tree species and provenances to support woodland health and expansion in Scotland.

The Nano-Nurseries Network exists as an association of enterprises, initiatives and organisations to promote small-scale nurseries in Scotland that propagate and grow trees for countryside stewardship purposes.

Operational requirements and rules for Nano-Nurseries Network members

(1) Members must be based in Scotland and, as a core nursery activity, grow up to a maximum of 200,000 trees per annum.

(2) Members must ensure that all materials used in all aspects of their operations – including the trading of live plants – and other related business activities, come from legal and, as far as possible, from known sustainable sources.

(3) Members must observe all regulations that apply to their enterprises and associated operations.

(4) Members must complete a simple annual survey. This provides information which enables the Network coordinator to represent and promote the interests of the Nano-Nurseries Network.

(5) Members should not bring the Nano-Nurseries Network into disrepute by:

i. using the Nano-Nurseries Network website or other Nano-Nurseries Network media to criticise the forestry sector in Scotland or the tree production trade in general, other Nano-Nurseries Network members, or the Nano-Nurseries Network itself,

ii. knowingly selling trees that are not fit-for-purpose,

iii. acting in an unbusinesslike, unprofessional, illegal or any other way which might bring the good name of the Nano-Nurseries Network into disrepute.

(6) Disputes with the Nano-Nurseries Network or between members regarding the membership rules should be notified to a PROJECT STEERING GROUP MEMBER who will raise the matter at a PROJECT STEERING GROUP MEETING (see initial and interim Governance arrangements below).

(7) If and when Members are required to pay, then they must pay all subscriptions in good time.

(8) Members recognise the importance of participating occasionally – where possible – in activities in support of the Nano-Nurseries Network (e.g. meetings, trade shows or conferences) and/or – where possible – contribute time to the running of the Network.

(9) Members infringing any aspect of this agreement and associated rules may have membership benefits withdrawn and be removed from membership.

(10) Members acknowledge and consent to receiving communications by email from the Network Coordinator. These may include: Membership updates and renewal reminders; Invitations to events, workshops, or webinars; Newsletters and relevant industry updates.

Infringements

If it is believed that there is an infringement to the rules by any member, a nominated Steering Group representative or representatives will open discussions with the relevant member, and the member will have the opportunity to make their case to the PROJECT STEERING GROUP.

The member will be informed of the PROJECT STEERING GROUP’s decision within 2 weeks.

Cessation of membership

(1) The membership of any person or enterprise shall terminate only on the happening of any of the following events, namely,

a) they are expelled from membership under Rule (9),

(b) being a sole trader, they die or are declared bankrupt,

(c) being a body corporate, it is dissolved,

(d) a member informs the Network Coordinator in writing that they no longer wish to be a member of the Nano-Nurseries Network. Email address: nurserynetwork@futurewoodlands.org.uk.

Register of members

The Nano-Nurseries Network administration shall keep a register of members containing the following particulars: –

(a) the names and addresses of the members,

(b) a statement of any membership fees paid as per Rule (7),

(c) the date at which each person or enterprise was entered on the register as a member and the date on which any person ceased to be a member.

Decision making and annual meetings

There will be an annual meeting (in-person and online) held each year. This meeting will be chaired by the Project Steering Group Chair . An agenda item will cover necessary considerations regarding governance arrangements for the Nano-Nurseries Network during and beyond the period where interim governance arrangements are in place (see below).
Any decisions that are set out before or emerge in the meeting will be agreed by a majority vote of registered members at the time of the meeting.

Initial and interim governance arrangements for the Nano-Nurseries Network

For the purposes of establishing an official network – as per the action agreed at the Future Woodlands Scotland workshop held at Dundgreggan in August 2024 – the Phase 2 Project Steering Group will perform the role of the Network governing body until such time that the members of the Network establish their own governing body arrangements by suitable agreement.

The Project Steering Group consists of the following personnel: One member of the Nano-Nurseries Network and one staff member from each of the following funding parties of the project: Future Woodlands Scotland, The Scottish Forestry Trust and Scottish Forestry.