Woodlandsforests

Forestry

The South West Region has a unique asset in its woods and forests. They help define the landscape, provide work and business opportunities for local people - particularly in rural areas - and themselves are important wildlife assets; people can walk, cycle and picnic in many of them and they help improve the quality of urban life.

The region has 212,000 ha of woods - 9% of land cover - almost twice as much as 100 years ago and still increasing. 15,000 woods are small (under 2 ha) but they help define the landscape quality of much of the region.

Over 20% of England's ancient semi-natural woodland is in the South West and 8% of the woods have Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status. The region has a breadth and diversity of woodland habitat types, important in both national and European context.

Production and processing in forestry are worth £201million per year to the region's economy, whilst tourism, recreation and other benefits are worth and additional £300 - £375million. In addition, these woods contribute significantly to the quality of life of people living in the South West by providing quiet areas for walking and relaxing, improving people's levels of health and fitness and reducing stress.

Here are a few facts to whet your appetite....

20% of England's woodland is in the South West
Tourism and recreational benefits generate more than 15 times the value of the timber resource per year
More than half the region's production of timber is exported to adjacent regions for processing

Regional Woodland and Forestry Framework

The Regional Woodland and Forestry Framework for the South West was published in mid-2005.

The Vision is to make much more of what woodlands and forests bring to the wealth, health and beauty of the region, while focusing on where it really matters – in the woods and forests – and securing their future and the value they bring.

View the South West Woodland and Forestry Framework

“This Framework…aims to be the first point of focus on the future of the region’s woods and forests; on the one hand to identify how the region can benefit more from woods and on the other hand, how the region can become a better custodian of its woods and forests, and responsibly nurture them into the future. Following an extensive consultation process it sets out the priorities for activity across the private, public and voluntary sectors. Detailed actions, resources and partners will be identified through an implementation Plan to be drawn up for the autumn of 2005.” Tim Render (Government Office for the South West) & Sir Harry Studholme (Board Member, SW RDA). Chair & vice-chair of Regional Woodland and Forestry Framework Steering Group respectively.

Regional Woodland and Forestry Framework's Implementation Plan

Following the publication of the Framework last year, a number of organisations and partners have identified what they intend to do to help achieve the Framework's aims and objectives over the next three years. The Implementation Plan brings this work together in one place, though it is not a comprehensive record of every organisation in the region or every action that will help. It's just a starting point. (Mark Durk, Policy & Partnerships Officer)

View the Sustainability Assessment of the Draft Framework or to view the Case Studies via http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-67ecty

For more information, contact Mark Durk of the Forestry Commission on 0117 900 1849 or E-mail mark.durkmark.durk@gosw.gsi.gov.uk@gosw.gsi.gov.uk

South West Woodfuel Framework

The South West Woodfuel Framework 2005 (distributed January 2006) is a joint initiative between the Countryside Agency (Natural England), the Forestry Commission, SW RDA and RegenSW. It provides a focus for prioritising future regional action to develop a thriving woodfuel industry in the Region that is actively contributing to the renewable energy targets and woodland management.

Renewable energy policies are both a Government and a Regional priority and this document follows the Regional Woodland and Forestry Framework with its wider vision for woodlands and forestry as it moves into its implementation phase.

The installation of modern woodfuel energy systems will provide a new market for wood giving woodland owners the incentive to bring neglected woodlands back into positive management, together with the biodiversity and landscape benefits that this brings. Woodfuel, as a modern and clean renewable energy source, has the potential to make a substantial contribution to the region’s aspirations for renewable energy generation and help to alleviate the impacts of climate change.

There is much activity and interest in developing woodfuel in the region, at a range of scales. One of the first tasks under this framework will be to help develop a more co-ordinated approach by bringing key players together and agreeing priorities.

If you would like to be kept in touch with these developments contact Rachel Pearce at rachel.pearce@forestry.gsi.gov.uk or on 01626 890666.

Launch of ‘WOODFUEL SOUTH WEST’ - March 2007

A new initiative to provide free advice, support and grant aid for wood heating installations has been launched in the South West. The service is managed by the Centre for Sustainable Energy with financial support from Woodland Renaissance, the South West Protected Landscapes Forum, which includes the North Devon AONB, and the Forestry Commission.

The project is very keen to hear from people within the North Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty interested in installing wood heating.

Read more here:‘WOODFUEL SOUTH WEST’

South West Community Forests

South West Community Forests are developing a Plan which links in with woodland tourism. Several projects already underway in the region. Research being carried out to determine what these are and where the gaps are.

For more detailed information, please contact Laura Jones at the Forestry Commission on 01626 890666 or Email Laura.jones@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.