Mr Russell made the assertion as he awarded two Scottish forests with the Scotland’s Finest Woodlands Awards accolade during the Royal Highland Show in Ingliston.
Newbyth Wood in East Lothian and Abriachan Forest, Inverness received their awards for producing biodiversity and quality timber products and promoting multi-purpose forestry respectively.
“The benefits that these woodlands are providing range from economic returns to community partnership and landscape enhancement,” said Mr Russell.
“They demonstrate perfectly the valuable role that forestry can take in helping make Scotland a better place for us all.”
The Scotland’s Finest Woodlands Awards are independently run and are supported by a number of leading timber organisations in the country, including the Royal Scottish Forestry Society, Forestry Commission Scotland, the Scottish Forestry Trust and the Forest Education Initiative.
The Royal Highland Show also saw the launch of the Lantra One Stop Shop for Training, which provides employees in the land-based sector a focal point for information on training and educational courses related to forestry, farming and other industries in the sector.
