The Dronley Woodland project is a transformative ecological initiative covering 5.98 hectares within the 50-hectare Dronley Community Woodland near Dundee, Scotland. Its goal is to develop a resilient, diverse and site-adapted mixed woodland using assisted natural regeneration (ANR) and underplanting. ANR is a forest restoration method that encourages the growth of naturally occurring seedlings by protecting them from threats such as browsing animals, competition from invasive species or poor light conditions. Instead of planting trees from scratch, ANR supports the forest’s own ability to regenerate. By taking active measures such as selective thinning, fencing and soil improvement, it creates favorable conditions for seedlings to establish and thrive. In Dronley: · Light thinning will remove invasive and unhealthy trees, opening up the canopy and creating favorable conditions for regeneration. · ANR is expected to result in approximately 2392 new trees, with a minimum stocking density of 400 trees per hectare by year five, in line with Scottish Government guidelines. · In addition, around 3108 trees will be manually planted in the gaps created by thinning, using a mix of shade-tolerant broadleaved species. The project aims to restructure the woodland into a thriving site-adapted mixed forest that enhances biodiversity, strengthens resilience to climate stressors and safeguards vital ecosystem services. It also serves as a pilot for educational outreach and community engagement, offering a living example of ecological transformation and inspiring other woodland owners to adopt Continuous Cover Forestry principles.