Who are Inner Forth Futures?

Inner Forth Futures Initiative (IFF) is the legacy of the partnership that was originally formed through the Inner Forth Landscape Initiative (IFLI) in 2011. IFLI was developed by a partnership of eight organisations who came together to take coordinated action to conserve the important heritage assets within this landscape.

 Since 2018, eight members and one advisory member have made up Inner Forth Futures. RSPB Scotland is the lead partner. The initiative involves four local authorities (Stirling, Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Fife Councils), two public bodies (NatureScot, with Historic Environment Scotland as advisory member), and three NGOs (RSPB Scotland, Sustrans and the Green Action Trust). Members of the initiative are represented on the Board and Steering Group of Inner Forth Futures, which meet on a regular basis to ensure that members remain at the heart of decision making, and that IFF adheres to its aims and objectives in a responsible, effective and efficient manner.

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As an initiative of local authorities, public bodies, charities and community groups, we are inclusive, cooperative and listening, but also decisive, and able to make things happen.

 Since 2018, IFF has worked together on a series of projects: explore the website to find out more. You can download our information leaflet here (last updated 2019).

What We Do

Where Inner Forth Futures work

 The Inner Forth Futures area has the River Forth at its heart, flowing from Stirling Bridge to the Forth Bridges. It includes the parts of Stirling, Falkirk, Clackmannanshire and Fife that surround the Inner Forth. 

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This landscape defies the rules. Spectacular flocks of waders and wildfowl feed against a backdrop of steel towers and chimneys. Ancient castles gaze down on factories and warehouses, while the relics of past industries are now surrounded by woodlands and wildflowers. At the heart is the tidal River Forth and the dramatic mudflats and saltmarshes along its shores. 

Sadly, many people only see the industry and commerce, while the area’s rich natural, cultural and historic heritage is often overlooked or neglected.  We aim to create a greater appreciation and awareness of this rich heritage.

Our Vision and Objectives

 Our vision is that the sense of connection, purpose and place that put the Inner Forth at the forefront of the industrial development of Scotland will be revitalised.  We aim to achieve this using a landscape-scale approach with heritage at its core to engage people in new ways in its future management.

 The initiative will achieve this vision by delivering four objectives:
  • Deliver a strong legacy from the Inner Forth Landscape Initiative that maintains and builds on the success of this previous project.
  •  Make the Inner Forth a better area to live, work, visit and invest in by stimulating the promotion and awareness of its natural and cultural heritage assets and sustainable transport options.
  • Support communities so that they feel confident and empowered to take a greater role in management and promotion of the area’s heritage.
  • Pilot partnership approaches to delivering habitat networks and climate adaptation.

Our Externally Recognised Successes

2020   | Shortlisted Finalist for the Nature of Scotland Awards, in the category "Innovation"
2019   | Winner of the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning, in the category "Partnership"
2019   | Shortlisted Finalist for the Nature of Scotland Awards, in the category "Coasts & Water"
2018   | Shortlisted Finalist for the Public Sector Communications Awards, in the category "Use of Video"
2017   | Highly Commended for the CIEEM Best Practise Awards, in the category "Knowledge Sharing"
2017   | Highly Commended for the CIEEM Best Practise Awards, in the category "Stakeholder Engagement"
2017   | Shortlisted Finalist for the UK Awards for Biological Recording & Information Sharing, category "Lynne Farrell Group Award"
2017   | Shortlisted Finalist for the UK Awards for Biological Recording & Information Sharing, category "Adult Newcomer Award"
2017   |Winner: ICB (Projects) Ltd at the NFRC Scottish Roofing Contractor of the Year Awards, in the category "Green Roof"

IFF staff and members at SAQP 2019

Contact Us

Get in touch with Inner Forth Futures and the Climate FORTH team by emailing  info@innerforthlandscape.co.uk 

The team delivering Climate FORTH for Inner Forth Futures work a hybrid pattern between home and the IFF office at RSPB Skinflats.  We are most easily contacted by email, so please get in touch via our team address info@innerforthlandscape.co.uk or via those on our profiles. We'd be delighted to hear from you!

Office number: 01324 831 568. *Please note that calls are most likely to go to our answer machine and are not regularly picked up so if your query is urgent, contact our Project Manager, James Stead on 07860 592061*