ConFor has led a group of organisations including the Institute of Chartered Foresters to write to forestry minister Huw Irranca-Davies calling for action on European Protected Species legislation in England. The following is extracted from the letter:

The UK’s woods and forests benefit from being actively managed. This is generally accepted by all interest groups. In practice, much of the UK’s forests, including about half of England’s, is under-managed. Efforts are being made to tackle this, including through the woodfuel strategy.

Unfortunately, the European Protected Species legislation is acting as a major disincentive. There is a lack of direction, action and progress in helping woodland owners and managers understand and work within the law.

In 2007, Forestry Commission England worked with Natural England to produce draft guidance, which was disseminated by a useful series of seminars, as well as, through publications. The changes that were introduced then came as a shock as there had been no prior consultation or warning. The guidance was mostly clear, but highly onerous, in some cases deterring woodland management. In most cases it has increased costs without any discernible benefit.

Since those seminars, several of the signatory organisations have asked the Forestry Commission for further practical workshops to help owners and managers learn to work within the regulations and guidance in the field. Unfortunately, this has not happened, and indeed further regulatory changes have been made early in 2009, without any communication with the private sector.

Every day, people are exposing themselves to risk of prosecution, compounded by the fact that legal requirements are not being adequately communicated to them. This is made worse by the different interpretations of the law being applied to different sectors, such as agriculture and building development, with many owners and managers working across all of these.

The letter, which was also signed by the Royal Forestry Society, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Small Woods Association, concluded with a plea for action:

“We urge you please to:

1. Review and wherever possible reduce the scope and requirements of the regulations, involving representatives of stakeholders at a practical level.
2. Ensure that the various regulatory changes and impacts are communicated widely to woodland owners and managers.
3. Ensure there is a consistent and equitable approach with other sectors.”

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The Silvanus Trust, in South West England, in partnership with the University of Plymouth Outdoor and Experiential Learning research network, the Devon FEI cluster group, the Woodland Trust, the Neroche Landscape Partnership (Forestry Commission) and Forest Research, has successfully secured funding from the BIG Lottery Fund Research programme to look at “Social cohesion and well-being deriving from woodland activities”.

The research approach will look at:

• The key factors in determining benefits related to recreational activities in woodland and in extending benefits to a wider audience.
• The long term benefits of Forest school activities for different age groups.

A project researcher post will be advertised shortly.

Read More

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A harvesting machine which fells trees from the top down in just seconds is helping a Teesdale wood in North East England to turn over a new leaf.

The Forestry Commission has pledged nearly £11,400 to re-plant a 5.8 hectares (14.5 acres) of conifer wood around Selset Reservoir near Middleton with over 5,000 broadleaf trees, including oak, ash, willow and rowan. Work on the site, which is owned by Northumbrian Water, is being carried out by the North Pennines AONB Partnership as part of its Living North Pennines project.

The three year initiative, backed by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is aiming to nurture 250 hectares (625 acres) of new native woods in the AONB to replace those lost over the centuries in what will be a massive boost to wildlife. But before saplings take root at Selset, over 10,000 conifers must be felled and that's a job for a spectacular piece of forestry hardware called a vertical mulcher.

Due to the site's boggy and inaccessible terrain, it’s been decided to mulch the timber in situ The 25 tonne machine does the task in double quick time using a cutting head which can turn a 30 foot tree into a pile of chips in just 15 seconds. rather than extract it.

The mulching is being funded by the North Pennines AONB Partnership and carried out by specialist contractor Oakfields Plant Hire of Stockton on Tees.

Replanting will be undertaken in the spring and supported for by the Forestry Commission’s English Woodland Grant Scheme.

In addition to financial support from the Forestry Commission, the woodland creation work being undertaken by the North Pennines AONB Partnership has been made possible via funding from the SITA Trust’s Enriching Nature Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

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The Forestry Commission and the South Yorkshire forest Partnership has announced that South Yorkshire has won up to £100,000 from a European Union fund to help local woodland owners tap into the growing market for woodfuel.

The region is one of the most forested in Yorkshire and the Humber, with 11,465 hectares (28,662 acres) of woodland.

Now private woodland owners are being targeted to bring more of their land into management to produce timber, possibly by joining together with other owners to create local supply clusters or co-operatives.

Rudie Humphrey, Woodfuel Co-ordinator with the Forestry Commission in Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “We know that the take up of woodfuel boilers and installations is on the increase and South Yorkshire is a hotspot with all four local councils investing heavily in the green technology in preference to oil and gas for their buildings. We believe demand for woodfuel will surge 25% in the Yorkshire and the Humber over the next few years, yet well over half of South Yorkshire’s woods are under managed. There’s a major opportunity staring us in the face.”

The funding is spread over three years and has been won under an EU scheme called Activating private forest owners to increase forest fuel supply (AFO).

The UK is one of four countries awarded cash together with France, Slovenia and Latvia. The plan is to learn from the experience of Austria and Finland, which have been very successful in bringing private sector woods into management to supply their own green energy needs.

The Forestry Commission worked with the South Yorkshire Forest Partnership to push the case of South Yorkshire with EU chiefs because of the area’s strong tradition of using solid fuels like coal, meaning it has an infrastructure like bunkers that converts readily to woodfuel. Woods are also plentiful – Sheffield is reckoned to be Britain’s most ‘wooded’ industrial city with trees covering 10.2% of its area. The similar figure for Barnsley is 7.4%, Doncaster 5.8% and 6.8% in Rotherham. The national average in England is 7%.

As part of the project woodlands owners and managers from South Yorkshire will be taken to meet their counterparts in Austria and Finland, who will make return visits to share knowledge. Workshops and seminars will also be held.

Rudie added: “The public sector can do only so much in meeting future woodfuel demands and we need private woodland owners to make their mark. But a lot of these woods are fragmented and small-scale so encouraging owners to work in unison makes common sense. There is a major business opportunity here to create jobs and wealth for South Yorkshire. Bringing woodland into management also helps wildlife by diversifying the habitat.”
The results of project will be disseminated across all EU states. The EU has a target of having 20% of Europe’s renewable energy production achieved through wood fuel combustion by 2020.

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Woodland owner/occupiers in the East of England are now eligible for heavily subsidised woodland management advice through a new Woodfuel East project.

Five Woodfuel East approvied contractors will offer their professional services at much reduced rates benefitting woodland owners/occupiers as part of the project.

This project is principally for unmanaged/undermanaged woodlands but there are also opportunities for managed woodland. The project funding is open to all woodland owners/occupiers in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Suffolk and Norfolk.

Woodfuel East is a regional initiative administered by the Forestry Commission and supported under the Rural Development Programme for England by EEDA, Defra and the EU. It has a target to help bring 15,000 hectares of woodland back into active management by 2013. This is to stimulate the production of an additional 110,000 tonnes of timber/annum which, as woodfuel, could displace an estimated 75,000 tonnes of C0₂ emissions.

For more information visit the Woodfuel East website

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Over 100 bookings were made in January for the ICF National Conference on Forests & Energy - Maximising the Potential proving once again that the Institute is hitting the mark with its topical events.

While the early bird offer has closed for the conference, which runs from 28-29 April at Newcastle Civic Centre, there are still tickets available for the two-day event but places at the conference dinner are now limited and immediate booking is recommended. Pam Warhurst, new Chair of the Forestry Commission is the guest speaker.

To help those who missed the early bird offer, the preferential bed and breakfast accommodation offer for the Premier Inn Newcastle Central (bookable through the ICF website conference page) has been extended to 12 February subject to availability.

ICF once again thanks its main sponsors: The Forestry Commission, Scottish Woodlands, UPM Tilhill, Lockhart Garratt and Forestry Journal

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A series of public meetings has been announced as part of the consultative phase of Brian Pack's Inquiry into the Future of Agricultural Support in Scotland. The interim report from the Inquiry will be published this week.

The remit of the Pack Inquiry is to make recommendations to the Scottish Government on how financial support to agriculture and rural development can best be tailored to deliver the Scottish Government's purpose of sustainable economic growth. A call for evidence to the inquiry received around 110 responses.

However, forestry does not get enough recognition in this report and ConFor is urging its members (and the industry at large) to attend these meetings and voice their views.

Read the report

Mr Pack said, "These meetings will give me the opportunity to explain the thinking that has gone into the interim report and to listen to the views of individual farmers and industry organisations. Those views will play an important part in shaping the final outcome of the Inquiry and I would encourage as many people as possible to get along to their local meeting."

§ Tuesday 26th January: Haddington, Town House

§ Wednesday 27th January: Dumfries, Cairndale Hotel

§ Thursday 28th January: Ayr, Western House Hotel

§ Monday 1st February: Inverurie, Thainstone Centre

§ Tuesday 2nd February: Inverness, Ramada Jarvis Hotel

§ Tuesday 9th February: Thurso, The Park Hotel

§ Wednesday 10th February: Kirkwall, The Albert Hotel

§ Thursday 11th February: Lerwick, Clickimin Leisure Centre

§ Monday 15th February: Oban, Corran Halls

§ Tuesday 16th February: Perth, Dewars Centre

§ Monday 15th March: Benbecula, Dark Island Hotel

§ Tuesday 16th March: Stornoway, Caberfeidh Hotel

The meetings will start at 7.30pm. More details about the Inquiry can be found on the Scottish Government website.

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ConFor has highlighted the importance of sustainable and increasing supplies of wood to the future of forestry and wood-using businesses in Northern Ireland.

Giving evidence to the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee on a proposed new forestry bill, chief executive Stuart Goodall said:

“In recent decades Northern Ireland has seen the growth of a competitive, indigenous, forest-based industry. This is delivering jobs, business growth and helping in the fight against climate change. The new bill needs to enshrine a commitment to promote forest expansion, as well as, to secure and increasing supplies of wood.”

The proposed bill would replace the previous 1953 Forestry Act and bring forestry legislation in Northern Ireland into the 21^st century. In seeking to deliver its aim of promoting sustainable forestry the proposed Bill also includes provisions to introduce felling licensing and, unlike elsewhere in the UK, to charge for these, and to give the Forest Service powers to control pests and vegetation on land adjacent to its forests.

“Normally we would resist new bureaucracy, such as felling licensing, but with new EU legislation imminent on the legal sourcing of timber, some form of felling licensing is likely to be necessary”, said Lord Hamilton, chair of ConFor in Northern Ireland. “However, we are firmly opposed to charging for felling licensing. Such a move would have the perverse effect of reducing forest management and new planting, effectively undermining the central aim of the Bill.

“ConFor believes that the proposed forestry bill should put at its heart the ambitious Northern Ireland Forest Service plan to create an additional 150,000 hectares by 2050. This we believe will underpin the timber sector, guarantee and increase job prospects, and help mitigate climate change.”

Lord Hamilton, Stuart and Brendan Friel of NI-based sawmiller Balcas, gave evidence to the committee on 21^st January 2010.

“The committee took special note of the scale of investment that has gone into the sector in recent years and recognised that sales of wood were the key income source for both public and private forests”, added Brendan. “Northern Ireland mills process more wood than is produced locally and we need security of supply for the future – that will also benefit the forests and the rest of the supply chain.”

ConFor also stressed to the committee the need to approach pest management, such as deer control, as part of a public-private partnership and for there to be clear boundaries to a proposal to give the Forest Service the power of compulsory acquisition.

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Pictured: Chris Piper MICFor (right) with Colin Mackenzie (left) awarding a bottle of finest Arran malt whisky to prize draw winner Cameron Ross of Crosscut Forestry

The Holy Grail - namely a definitive estimate of timber to be harvested from privately owned woodlands in the next 15 years - has been obtained through a recent survey commissioned by the Highland Timber Transport Group (HTTG), albeit as yet only for the Highland Region of Scotland.

HTTG is a partnership of the Highland Council, Forestry Commission Scotland, the Confederation of Forest Industries (ConFor) and private sector woodland owners, managers and hauliers). The Survey was jointly funded by The Scottish Government Timber Transport Fund; Forestry Commission Scotland and the Highland Council with contributions from Fountains, Balcas, UPM Tillhill and Scottish Woodlands.

Applying innovative techniques and mapping software, and using incentives such as a draw of completed questionnaires for bottles of whisky, consultant Chartered Foresters C J Piper and Co, working on behalf of the HTTG, have identified over 90% of forecast timber production from private sector woodlands in the Highlands. This can then be combined with the full coverage provided for the National Forest Estate.

This information is crucial in assisting Local Authority roads departments anticipate future timber flows and prioritise the improvement of the rural road and bridge infrastructure.

Set up in the1990s, the HTTG is one of many similar timber transport groups operating across Scotland, with the objective of providing a forum in which all interested parties including local authority roads engineers, state and private foresters, hauliers, timber processors, roads engineers, can discuss and strive to address issues and find practical solutions arising from the growing volumes of timber being harvested and transported on the road network.

Previous private sector surveys have struggled to contribute more precise information than that provided by the general “availability forecast” produced by the Forestry Commission and based on the National Inventory of Woodlands and Trees.

All such timber production is linked to “exit points” – that is the point at which harvested timber emerges onto the public road network. This provides roads engineers with the data needed to plan for future demand and, it is hoped, avoid conflicts arising from the need to haul a valuable economic resource over inadequate roads.

Colin Mackenzie, Project Consultant to the HTTG and a former roads manager with the Highland Council, said “It has previously proved difficult to get accurate figures. The HTTG is delighted as to how the techniques used by this latest survey have yielded significantly improved quality and quantity of information across such a high proportion of the private sector’s timber producing woodlands and we are grateful for the help and co-operation provided by forest managers. By building on this information and keeping it regularly updated, we should now be able to plan properly and avoid situations where previously unanticipated timber haulage could lead to road or bridge failures and closures and/or weight restrictions, with serious implications for both forest owners and the Local Authority.”

For more information contact Chris Piper MICFor, tel 01309 674374 or email chrispiper@supanet.com

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Early bird pricing for this year's ICF National Conference in Newcastle Upon Tyne on 28-29 April ends this Sunday, 31 January.

Forests and Energy will look at the growing market opportunities for the forestry industry and experts with hands-on experience will help delegates gain a better understanding of how to adapt current forestry practices to meet the potential demand. It will also look at how the sector can work alongside other bio-energy producers in harmony.

When exploring the potential for forests and energy speakers will embrace the policy, the research and the practice with organisations such as UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, ScottishPower Renewables, Natural Power, National Farmers Union, Prima Bio, Smiths Gore and Strathclyde University Energy Systems Research Unit among those represented.

The conference will conclude with an ICF Question Time session chaired by well known Times columnist and TV presenter Matthew Parris.

You will be able to book accomodation at ICF's preferencial price until 12 February subject to availability.

Get conference details

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Defra’s new Evidence Investment Strategy (EIS), provides an agenda to prioritise and manage Defra’s investment in evidence from 2010 to 2013. It highlights the need to focus efforts on climate change, protecting ecosystems and developing a sustainable food supply. The strategy will ensure that Defra has access to the best evidence when developing policies.

Professor Bob Watson, Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser, said:

“It is absolutely essential that all the policies that we formulate are based on sound evidence. We now understand more about the challenges facing the earth’s climate, ecosystem services and the supply of sustainable and healthy food. There has never been a time when there was a greater need for good quality evidence to contribute to policy making and sound decisions.”

“Defra recognises this and invests heavily in evidence, spending approximately £240m to evidence-related activities, including research, surveillance and scientific specialists in 2009/10.”

The EIS will build on the progress made by Defra’s first evidence strategy - Evidence and Innovation 2005-2008 - by encouraging better use of evidence for policy making.

The strategy contains a number or recommendations including the importance of working with others, both internally and through partnerships with the Research Councils and other government departments aimed at improving our evidence use.

To view the full strategy and recommendations please visit: http://www.defra.gov.uk/evidence/science/how/strategy.htm

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The Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) is inviting applications for the Institute’s Educational and Scientific Trust (EST) Annual Travel Bursary. Open to forestry and arboriculture students and professionals at an early stage in their career, the EST’s flagship award of £500 is available to support travel which will make a substantial contribution to the chosen applicant’s professional development.

Previous recipients of the award include Gabrielle Smith (pictured above) who used the fund to join a community forest management programme helping to restore former slash-and-burn sites in Madagascar, and Penny Morris who was able to travel to the 33^rd International Forestry Students’ Symposium in Southeast Australia.

The recipient of the award will write a feature on their experience for the ICF’s Chartered Forester magazine.

EST chairman, Peter Wilson FICFor, said: “We're really keen on attracting some high quality applications this year. This award facilitates professional development, sharing forestry expertise and gaining invaluable experience from exciting projects and events across the world. The opportunity is there for the right individual and it’s ripe for the taking.”

For further details and to download an application form, applicants should visit the EST pages on the ICF website.

Completed applications must be received by 31 March 2010.

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Download the report

The European Squirrel Initiative (ESI) has welcomed the a new report into the impact of invasive alien species on biodiversity.

Co-ordinated by the Global Invasive Species Programme, Global indicators of biological invasion found that, on average, there are 50 non-indigenous species per country which have a negative impact on biodiversity.

For the past eight years ESI has been raising awareness of the impact of the American grey squirrel on Britain's - and Europe's - native flora and fauna.

Introduced into the UK in 1876, the grey squirrel has been altering our natural landscape, destroying woodlands and parks and damaging the UK's biodiversity.

"This report highlights the irreversible damage which alien species can cause to biodiversity internationally," said Miles Barne, Chairman of ESI. "One of the most destructive alien species in the UK is the grey squirrel, which has all but destroyed our native population of red squirrels. We need to wake up to exactly how much this non-native mammal is affecting our biodiversity."

The grey squirrel is listed among the 100 worst invasive species by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). ESI has been lobbying government at a national and European level to take a more effective approach to the control of alien species and grey squirrels in particular.

According to the report Invasive species are one of the top three threats to life on this planet and while most countries have made an international commitment to tackle this threat only half have introduced relevant legislation and even fewer are taking adequate action on the ground.

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An ICF Student Member, who is currently studying for an Master of Science in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry at Myerscough College in Lancashire, is one of two winners of the 2009 Tom Mousley Scholarship given by the ISA’s Society of Commercial Arboriculture.

Andrew McKenrick, from Cincinnati in the United States, is currently exploring the trees of a different continent here in the UK. But, that doesn't mean he has lost his ardor for his hometown. He hopes to return home to, in his own words, apply his "skills and knowledge to help the city of Cincinnati create more green space within its urban communities and educate the people within the urban landscape to practice proper horticulture techniques." This is all after he completes his studies and a tour of Europe to see how arboriculture and urban forestry takes shape in other cities internationally.

Initially earning a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Cincinnati, McKenrick decided two years ago to go back to school and pursue his real passion-plants. "I was always interested in trees from a young age," McKenrick says when asked how his interest in arboriculture was first sparked. "I love heading into the woods to camp and observe the trees around me. I love to garden and plant and maintain trees, as well. I am quite amazed by their power and the many benefits they contribute to society. I guess the true spark happened about two years ago when I decided to go back to college to receive a certificate in horticulture. My woody plants professor had a great impact on the way I perceive trees, and that is what led to pursuing a degree in arboriculture and urban forestry."

McKenrick worked under that same professor during his time as the horticulture technician at Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum in Cincinnati. Planting, pruning, chipping, felling, detecting stress and decline-he did it all. This was essential preparation for his ever-continuing education in arboriculture. Since McKenrick is an international student, he is not eligible for financial aid through his school program, and upon learning of his being awarded the scholarship, he says this "tremendous" help had "made his day."

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The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is a new qualifications structure devised by the government in which all vocational qualifications are unit based. There is an entry level and then levels 1-8, identified by a title, a level, a credit value and a set of explicit learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Each unit will contribute to a qualification. Three sizes of qualification will be available; Award requiring 1-12 credits, Certificates 13-36 credits and Diplomas 37+ credits. Each unit should be stand alone and will be capable of independent assessment.

There are clear advantages to all concerned if arboricultural qualifications achieve accreditation on the new framework in terms of national recognition, quality control procedures, access to government funding, attracting learner funding from employers, employer recognition and enabling comparisons to be made across boundaries of qualifications and professions etc. Not to follow a national accreditation scheme could disadvantage the learner and our industry long term.

The writing of the qualifications content in the strict format required by the credit framework is the next step for the industry with industry reviews to follow.

As it is essential that arboriculture demonstrates to the accrediting authority that the content is inline with industry needs, your feedback is needed. Visit the Tree Life web site news page at www.treelifeac.co.uk to review the content for the proposed qualifications presently represented by the technician’s certificate and professional diploma. Instuctions are given.

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The Scottish Forest Industries Cluster and Forestry Commission Scotland have organised a series of half-day workshops for forestry businesses to learn more about the diverse range of opportunities afforded through the Rural Priorities mechanism of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP).

These workshops are intended to offer an overview of where Rural Priorities might be able to support forestry-related business developments including biomass, specialist plant and equipment, infrastructure (including roads and access), rural enterprise, forest-based tourism, project and partnership development and skills and training.

Presented in an informal and interactive environment, these workshops will provide an opportunity to explore what types of activities and investments could be eligible for Rural Priorities support. All attendees will be invited to submit suggestions for possible applications in advance of the day; details of how to do so being provided with all booking confirmations.

To book a place, please CLICK on this link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VJ8XMMT

or PHONE 0845 2262890

For further details, please contact the Cluster Support Unit at info@sfic.org.uk or on 0845 2262890

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Valerie Owen and Judith Webb, both non-executive Directors of the National Forest Company (NFC), have been appointed to a new Government programme to encourage more people to apply for public appointments. The Public Appointments Ambassadors programme is led by the Government Equalities Office and Cabinet Office and was launched at a high profile event in Whitehall on 14th January by Government Equalities Office Minister of State Maria Eagle MP.

Valerie Owen is a chartered architect, town planner and surveyor and, as well as her work with NFC and other bodies, is Chair of the Thames Region Environmental Protection Advisory Committee and a Member of the Church Buildings Council.

Judith Webb runs her own business and is a non-executive Forestry Commissioner and Chair of the England Woodland Biodiversity Group, as well as her role with NFC and with other organisations.

Public Bodies make decisions that affect our day to day lives, but too few women, people from ethnic minorities and disabled people sit on boards like the Arts Council, the governing bodies of local hospitals and the Competition Commission.

Judith said: "It’s an honour to be selected as an ambassador for this campaign. I have found being a public appointee hugely interesting and worthwhile.’ Valerie said: ‘I hope my positive experience will inspire others from different backgrounds and skills to come forward for public service."

Valerie and Judith join over 180 ambassadors, who are current public appointees from across the UK, including playwright and Deputy Chair of the British Museum, Bonnie Greer, and Peter Cooke, Vice-Chair of the Independent Living Fund. As ambassadors they will show why it’s vital to have people with a wide range of skills and experience involved in the important decisions public boards make, playing a key role in highlighting the benefits of serving on a board and encouraging more people from under-represented groups to apply.

Two new public appointment mentoring schemes were also launched at the event.

To find out more about public appointments, current vacancies and how to apply for new mentoring programmes, visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/publicappointments

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A single oak tree felled at the Blenheim Estate in Oxfordshire on 20 January marks the launch of The Sylva Foundation's OneOak project which aims to re-educate the public on the value of Britain's wood culture.

The OneOak tree has become one of the most studied trees in Britain and is the focus of the environmental education project that is aiming to revive a wood culture in Britain.

Timber is the United Kingdom’s sixth biggest import and over a million tonnes of hardwoods alone are imported every year. The Sylva Foundation believe that much more timber could be grown locally reducing “wood miles” and supporting the local rural economy. However, Sylva believes that the general public often object to woodland management and to the felling of trees because Britain has lost its wood culture. The project aims to change this.

The OneOak tree, believed to have been planted in the 1850s, was felled in front of 140 invited guests, many of whom were future users of the tree’s wood, and 250 primary school children. VIPs included the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, owners of the Blenheim Estate, and Sir Martin and Lady Wood, trustees of the Sylva Foundation.

During the autumn of 2009 the 160 year old tree was visited by 250 primary school children who have measured, drawn and written about it. Artists have been painting and photographing the tree through the seasons and in all weathers. Researchers have been measuring every part of the tree and calculating its carbon content, and will unravel its history by study of its growth rings.

Every part of the OneOak tree will now be used in buildings, to produce furniture, for everyday items such as doors and windows, heat and energy, and even to smoke food. The final products cannot be made for another two years when the largest diameter timber is fully dry and stable.

The life story of the tree is being followed over the next three years via the project website in various shows and events, and a book is being prepared. A new generation of “OneOak” trees will be planted in autumn 2010.

The OneOak has become one of Britain’s most studied trees. Scientists from the Government research agency Forest Research have measured every aspect of the tree. Forest]measuring company Treemetrics have completed a laser scan to produce a millimetre]accurate 3D tree model using equipment normally used to measure civil engineering projects and crime scenes. This data is being used to create an accurate map of the tree so that every part of the tree will be followed as it is turned into fifty of more different products.

Scientists will also be estimating the carbon content of the tree and Oxford-based carbon footprint company Best Foot Forward will calculate the carbon footprint of some of the products. Now that the tree has been felled, dendrologists will be working out the exact age of the tree and how it grew during its 160 year lifespan.

The tree’s timber has now been taken to local sawmill Deep in Wood where it will soon be processed into different sized lengths and stored until used.

For more about this story, and to follow the project, visit: www.OneOak.info

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Forestry Commission Scotland has announced details of a new phase of forestry sites to be explored for wind energy potential.

The four sites are part of an overall Scottish Government drive to generate clean and renewable energy and reduce the affects of climate change. They include two areas within the central belt – Heathland Forest and Carron Valley Forest; and two sites within the Borders – Wauchope Forest, and Cloich Forest.

In October 2009, the Commission split the national forest estate into six separate regions with the intention of appointing commercial partners to help it investigate and deliver wind energy projects. Partnerships for Renewables were appointed to cover the Borders and central belt area and will be working with the Commission to explore these chosen sites.

Suilven Weatherhead of the Commission’s Renewable Energy Business Unit said:

“To help the Scottish Government achieve its renewable energy targets, we are investigating the full wind energy potential of the estate over the coming years. Establishing a site’s suitability is a long and detailed process and we will be working with commercial partners to help us deliver this programme of work across Scotland.

“In the Borders and central belt, we are working with Partnerships for Renewables which was established by the Carbon Trust to work with the public sector to develop renewable energy projects. They share our commitment to only developing sites in appropriate locations and work with the local community throughout the development process.”

Alan Mathewson, from Partnerships for Renewables, said: “By reviewing the wind energy potential of Scotland’s forests, the Commission will be able to develop a wider strategic view of how it can most appropriately deliver wind energy across it’s estate. We are delighted to be playing a key part in this programme and will ensure that local communities are kept informed throughout our work, which could see some projects commissioned in approximately four years time.”

The four sites were chosen after extensive desk research and now more thorough studies will be undertaken by Partnerships for Renewables to explore the viability of these sites. Over the next two years, a further scoping report will be produced and masts will be located for monitoring wind energy potential. Full environmental studies will also be carried out and statutory and environmental bodies will be consulted before any decisions are taken on whether the location is suitable.

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Landowners in The National Forest were congratulated last week for the part they are playing in creating the Forest.

In total, eight landowners, representing all three counties within The National Forest (Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire), have been awarded grants through the National Forest’s Changing Landscapes Scheme (CLS) 2009. They were presented with their certificates at an event in Ashby de la Zouch at the heart of the Forest, by Martin Glynn FICFor, non-executive Director of the National Forest Company (NFC). Martin Glynn retires in March and he has played a vital role in developing The National Forest’s woodland economy: how people can earn their living through the creation and maintenance of the Forest and the use of timber products.

Martin Glynn said: "CLS is one of the main mechanisms by which we create The National Forest and it is thanks to the landowners, agents and applicants who are here today that we are again adding substantially to the Forest cover. It is always a complete joy to see the Forest change each year, as the woodlands grow and new schemes are planted and I offer many congratulations to all the successful applicants. I wish you much enjoyment of your woodlands."

CLS enables landowners to convert suitable land to woodland and nature conservation areas, enabling them to make sustainable choices for the use of their land and benefiting wildlife and the environment through planting trees, creating wetlands, parkland, meadows and new hedgerows.

Last year’s Scheme, to be planted up this year, will see 41 ha converted to woodland, almost 100,000 trees planted and the creation and management of 16 ha of parkland and other habitats.

CLS 2010 is now open. To discuss potential applications or for any further information on the National Forest Changing Landscapes Scheme, contact Matt Brocklehurst, Forest Development Manager NFC, on 01283 551211 for a confidential discussion.

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Woody Bio-based Energy: Demonstrating New Processes and Practices to Sustainably Produce Green Energy, Provide Markets for Low-value Trees and add Jobs in Rural Communities

The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (the Endowment) is seeking preproposals from qualified service providers who can address the potential of woody biomass for energy at two different places in the value chain:

A. Taking promising conversion technology from the laboratory to demonstration level – the awkward stage after lab development and prior to commercialization. The Endowment’s intent is to provide partial funding for one or more tangible projects that can quickly prove (or disprove) the commercial potential of thetechnology. The basis for determination is the ability of the technology to yield a useful energy product in a cost effective manner and to assess the level ofcommercial interest in its future use.

B. Develop one or more demonstrations of how consumers of woody biomass for energy might collaborate with others to develop new wood procurement, land ownership or land management models that provide sustained sources of woody biomass while ensuring the underlying forests are retained in forest cover.

Read More

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A Christian holiday centre and bible school has become the first and largest organisation of its kind in Lancashire to switch its energy supply to woodfuel and take a step closer to becoming totally environmentally friendly.

Capernwray Hall, at Carnforth in north Lancashire, attracts more than 250 students and 2,000 holiday guests each year, and has been backed by the Forestry Commission to think green and switch to this cleaner, more efficient and renewable energy source.

The Commission is driving forward the development of woodfuel in England, to increase the output of wood by two million tonnes each year by 2020, enough to supply 250,000 more homes with energy.

Capernwray utilises its own woodland in helping to fuel a woodchip boiler, which provides the heating and hot water source for the whole campus, including accommodation areas, dining room, kitchens, sports hall and swimming pool.

Peter Fox, Woodfuel Officer for the Forestry Commission, says:

"The Capernwray scheme is a perfect model of how woodfuel can provide financial and carbon savings and will hopefully encourage others to follow. As well as the annual fuel cost savings, the campus has drastically cut its carbon footprint by 367 tonnes a year. And it is anticipated that Capernwray's present forestry plantations can provide 34 tonnes of timber per year for the woodfuel system over the next ten years."

There are 12 hectares of woodland on the Capernwray estate and in addition to the local timber supply, the estate operation includes a working farm, which provides the labour, material and buildings necessary for the woodfuel that the system uses.

The majority of the woodfuel project work was carried out by Capernwray's own workforce, from heating design through boiler construction, installation of pipework and much of the internal control systems. It involved replacing the oil boilers and renewing flues through the old building and after allowing for the grants obtained, it should take less than five years for the scheme to pay for itself with the savings on heating costs.

The added advantage of community-based schemes like Capernwray is that local residents and visitors are fully involved in the estate's timber production. It is hoped that the scheme encourages other organisation's to consider the environmental, economic and social benefits of using local wood to produce renewable energy.

It is anticipated that further business opportunities may be created in the local area by supplying chip to local users or hiring equipment plus operator to others.

For more information about Capernwray visit www.capernwray.org.uk or view a case study visit at www.forestry.gov.uk/nwewoodfuel

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The recent exceptional weather has meant that some sawmills and processors are becoming desperately short of round wood supplies.

ConFor has held a series of meetings with Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) and the industry to identify what steps can be taken to keep supplies coming forward, and through the Timber Transport Forum regional network, close contact has been maintained with local roads authorities to identify key haul routes that once cleared have allowed some timber to be shifted. ConFor and FCS are very grateful for this cooperation.

Meanwhile the potential short fall of supplies is likely to continue for several weeks despite the current thaw (which brings its own problems with the increased likelihood of in-forest road damage). ConFor and FCS would encourage anyone who may have felling plans ahead, especially of readily accessible stands, to consider bringing them forward immediately, where there may then be an opportunity to realise some favourable prices for round wood.

FC conservancies have indicated their willingness to fast track felling activity for anyone who presently does not have a felling licence. It is in nobody’s interest if sawmills and processing plants are forced to shut down for want of supplies, and it is hoped that the growing sector can respond to the situation.

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Following on from the successful launch of the report, Combating climate change: A role for UK forests, the Forestry Commission and ConFor have agreed to work together to identify how the forestry and wood-using sector can best make a contribution to the transition to a low-carbon economy.

“Forestry and wood can provide significant employment, business and carbon benefits”, said Colin Mann FICFor, chairman of ConFor. “We need the evidence to understand the scale of this contribution and how wood can be best utilised, and then ensure that politicians, users of wood and the wider public are properly informed”.

The “Combating climate change” report provides a strong body of evidence on the key role that forestry and wood can play in climate change mitigation and adaptation. It also provides a good basis on which to build in the employment and business benefits that can be secured by planting new forests and utilising sustainably produced wood for markets such as construction and energy.

“There is increasing political recognition of the important role the sector can play in both mitigating and adapting to climate change, as well as in supporting the transition to a low carbon economy”, said Tim Rollinson FICFor, director general of the Forestry Commission. “I welcome the opportunity to work with key stakeholders, such as ConFor, to better understand both what can be achieved and to inform target audiences”.

As part of the co-operative approach, work is underway on a joint conference for politicians and key decision-makers with Forestry Commission Scotland in spring 2010 to highlight the significant contribution that forestry and wood can make to mitigating climate change in the key areas of land-use, energy and construction; and how that contribution can be increased.

Consideration is currently being given to holding a similar conference in London later in the year.

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Three new whitebeam species have been found for the first time by scientists at Cheddar Gorge in Somerset

Scientists took samples from the trees and used DNA techniques to identify them as new species. Satellite navigation (GPS) technology was also used to record the precise locations of these rarities, helping to relocate them in the future.

This was the first time that the Cheddar Gorge had been surveyed specifically for whitebeams.

Eight species of whitebeam were recorded including the three new species.

National Trust Somerset Countryside Manager Mark Courtiour said: "We always wondered what whitebeam rarities might be lurking in the gorge as it's such a stunning place for wildlife. This important survey work will help with our management of the site now we know what we have and where they can be found."

Welsh National Herbarium head of vascular plants Dr Tim Rich added: "These discoveries show that we're still learning about the natural world and finding new species of plants in the UK. Cheddar is a very special place."

The three new species of whitebeam are:

• Cheddar whitebeam (Sorbus cheddarensis) — with oval shaped leaves this tree can grow to at least 7m high. At least nineteen of these trees were found.
• Twin cliffs whitebeam (Sorbus eminentoides) — with roundish leaves these trees can grow to around 9m with greyish brown bark. Fifteen of these trees were recorded.
• Gough's Rock whitebeam (Sorbus rupicoloides) — with long narrow leaves these trees grow up to 7m. Thirteen of these trees were found here.

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The Royal Forestry Society (RFS) Forestry Awards were resurrected in 2009, refocused, updated, streamlined and designed to match the broader remit that forestry and woodland management is expected to cover in the 21^st Century – but still based on best practice.

Because it would be a the mammoth task to judge all the woodlands in the country in one year the competition concentrates on a different region each year – based on the administrative regions used by the Forestry Commission – following recognised regional boundaries and woodland character areas. In 2009 the competition took place in Yorkshire and the North East.

This year the competition will cover the FC’s South East England and London regions. Taking in the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex and Greater London south of The Thames.

The five classes are: Duke of Cornwall’s Award (multipurpose forestry), Community Forestry Award, Schools Award, Farm Woodland Award, RFS Silviculture Award.

Download the flyer for details

Details are also available on the RFS website or from the RFS Competition Co-ordinator Trefor Thompson 01824 704230.

Entries close at noon on Tuesday 9 March 2010. Judging takes place in May and the award presented at a ceremony at the Weald Woodfair on 17 September.

The sponsors are:

Woodlands for Sale

Fencing & Landscaping News

ECL Howard Watson Smith

Wood-Mizer UK

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With a discount of 10% on two-day tickets to the ICF National Conference in Newcastle Upon Tyne on 28-29 April, the online booking system is understandably busy.

Forests and Energy will look at the growing market opportunities for the forestry industry and experts with hands-on experience will help delegates gain a better understanding of how to adapt current forestry practices to meet the potential demand. It will also look at how the sector can work alongside other bio-energy producers in harmony.

When exploring the potential for forests and energy speakers will embrace the policy, the research and the practice with organisations such as UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, ScottishPower Renewables, Natural Power, National Farmers Union, Prima Bio, Smiths Gore and Strathclyde University Energy Systems Research Unit among those represented.

The conference will conclude with an ICF Question Time session chaired by well known Times columnist and TV presenter Matthew Parris.

The programme has been put together by Andrew Sheridan from Lockhart Garratt, this year's ICF Conference Technical Co-ordinator.

For the third year running, the Institute has frozen the ticket prices and this is thanks to the support from conference sponsors The Forestry Commission, Scottish Woodlands, UPM Tilhill, Lockhart Garratt and Forestry Journal and to The Sylva Foundation who will produce the Conference Proceedings.

More details about the conference can be found under Events.

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The Royal Forestry Society (RFS) is offering eight bursaries for students and non-students.

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The Woodland Trust has launched its 2010 campaign to plant 12,000 native trees across the UK

The Woodland Trust's tree planting campaign is now in its 13th year. It has so far recycled 659m cards and planted 155,000 trees across the UK.

The trust is encouraging people to take their Christmas cards to recycling bins in Marks & Spencer, WH Smith and TK Maxx, and the money raised will help the woodland conservation charity to plant 12,000 new native trees during 2010.

Donors can also choose which part of the country they want trees to be planted by going onto the trust's web site and pledging to recycle.

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The report from the meeting (described below) on 17 December is now available to download.

News story posted 22 December 2009:
Over twenty people turned up for a meeting at the AW Jenkinson Truckstop, Penrith, before Christmas, where it was agreed to set up a timber transport group to cover Cumbria.

The group will provide a forum for improving communication between the forestry sector, timber processors, hauliers and the local authority, leading to more sustainable use of the road network for timber haulage. The group will be chaired initially by Richard Scott, logistics manager for BSW Timber. The first meeting will be held in February 2010.

Comparable groups are already active in neighbouring North Yorkshire and Dumfries & Galloway, as well as, across the forested regions of Scotland and Wales. In many areas, preferred routes for timber haulage have been agreed, directing timber traffic onto the most appropriate roads and allowing councils to identify priority areas for road improvements and maintenance.

Roland Stiven, the project officer for the Timber Transport Forum, welcomed the decision, saying, ‘ Experience in other parts of the country has shown that timber transport groups are an effective way of ensuring that the wood from our productive forests can continue to be brought to market with the minimum of impact on the roads and on rural communities.’

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The appointment of Pamela Warhurst as Chair of the Forestry Commission, announced by the Prime Minister's Office, has been welcomed by Tim Rollinson FICFor, Director-General.

Mr Rollinson said:

"Pam Warhurst brings a wealth of experience in fields new to the Commission, but which will be important to us as we continue to develop to meet the rapidly changing needs of society. I am very much looking forward to working with her."

Mrs Warhurst, from Todmorden in West Yorkshire, was until recently a Member of the Board of Natural England, where she was the lead non-executive member working on the Countryside & Rights of Way Bill.

She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts & Manufacturing, and chairs Pennine Prospects, a regeneration company for the South Pennines, and Incredible Edible Todmorden, a local food partnership.

Mrs Warhurst has previously been the leader of Calderdale Council, Deputy Chair and Acting Chair of the Countryside Agency, a board member of Yorkshire Forward, and Chair of the National Countryside Access Forum and the Calderdale NHS Trust.

She was appointed CBE in 2005 for services to the environment.

Further information about Forestry Commissioners visit:

www.forestry.gov.uk/commissioners

Picture/copyright: Forestry Commission

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Experts have warned that Scotland's billion-pound forestry industry faces an unprecedented crisis unless the timber supply chain can be restored quickly.

The Scotsman newspaper reported that the long spell of severe weather had made forests inaccessible to timber lorries and had prevented trees being felled.

An emergency meeting of forest industry leaders, including ConFor, was held in Edinburgh last Friday, 8 January 2010, to discuss ways of moving timber from snow-bound forests to the mills, some of which are experiencing a reduction of about 75% of raw material supplies, threatening production. A number of key processors are in real danger of running out of raw materials. Scotland, north England and Wales have been worst affected.

This weather event has been exceptional in terms of its nationwide coverage. Some productive forests have roadside stacks of felled timber awaiting collection, but harvesting operations have also been hit, with about half the usual felling activity taking place. Three weeks of exceptional snow and ice have made working conditions too hazardous, or sites inaccessible, in many places and contractors are forced out of work. Normally, a period of hard winter weather does not deter them, but even when this snow melts, the ground will be excessively wet, presenting a new set of constraints. Harvesting operations and timber wagons are usually stopped in such conditions because of the damage to roads and rides. This means than supplies are unlikely to improve within six to eight weeks.

The largest mills require hundreds of wagon-loads of timber a week, with storage capacity for only a few days’ supply. Any un-planned interruption, such as this, simply means temporary closure. (Most mills were closed for a week over Christmas, as normal.) UPM Caledonian’s papermill in Ayrshire had to close on Sunday for three days due to supply issues.

The Forestry Commission has promised to fast-track felling licences for private woodland owners who have timber that can be harvested now, while ConFor is also lobbying for a temporary relaxation in the enforcement of drivers' hours regulations.

George Webb, of chipboard maker Norbord, said: "For ourselves and companies that supply us, it is a pretty bleak position. There is a risk we will run out."

Stuart Goodall, ConFor’s chief executive, summarised: “Extreme circumstances called for an urgent response. I am delighted at the way in which industry is working together with the Forestry Commission to seek solutions. A sympathetic approach is called for from the authorities, in addition, in order to keep people in work, safely, and mills functioning.”

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Due to the continuing adverse weather conditions, the Scottish government has made the decision to extend the dates for the forthcoming Spring RPAC round.

The details of the revised dates have not finalised but the current submit date of Monday 11 January will be extended.

Finalised dates will be made available as soon as possible. Dates for commit and RPAC rounds will also be extended.

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1131 projects funded by Rural Priorities grants

New funding to boost Scotland’s economic recovery, tackle climate change and position rural Scotland to deliver for the twenty-first century was announced this week.

The funding comes from the Rural Priorities scheme within the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP). Projects approved from this round alone will create or sustain more than 200 jobs and brings the total investment approved to £257.8 million.

Projects to have funding approved include the conversion of a farm steading near Forres which will bring 50-70 jobs to the area, a new restaurant and guesthouse for the Western Isles and a plan to improve wildlife habitats in Angus.

Rural Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

“Rural communities produce food and generate tourism – two of the key drivers powering the Scottish economy. Rural Priorities is of considerable importance to Scotland’s Economic Recovery Programme, with £34.6 million of this new funding going directly to farming and rural businesses to help improve their competitiveness.

“Over a number of years, more than £60 million will also go towards environmental and forestry projects which will protect and improve Scotland’s natural environment and help meet our targets on climate change. A large number of forestry projects in particular have been approved in this round, which will be valuable to the development of the sector.”

“This has been another very successful round of assessments with interest in Rural Priorities now at record levels.”

This is the sixth round of approvals from the Rural Priorities scheme. £257.8 million has now been approved, funding around 3,600 projects in rural Scotland. For more details please go to www.scotland.gov.uk/srdp.

The funding for this round is broken down as follows:

Argyll 102 - 6,439,527
Ayrshire 58 - 2,927,731
Borders 69 - 6,153,445
Clyde Valley 27 - 2,114,414
Dumfries and Galloway 96 - 10,715,814
Forth 57 - 8,196,272
Grampian 350 - 25,384,103
Highland 147 - 19,209,446
Northern Isles 83 - 4,002,107
Outer Hebrides 29 - 1,997,353
Tayside 113 - 9,491,499

Total 1131 - 96,631,711

Projects funded this time round range from tiny grants for small farm-based projects up to sizeable awards for developments which will completely change communities across Scotland. The range is illustrated by the different projects outlined below:

Case studies are available at: www.scotland.gov.uk/srdp

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The Forestry Commission is backing a pioneering environmental awareness campaign being piloted in five north Cumbrian schools.

It has teamed up with tutors, teachers, the Field Studies Council, and the Lake District National Park Learning Service, as part of the Bassenthwaite Reflections Programme, to target tomorrow’s young decision makers and get them interested in the natural environment. As part of the new initiative, an interactive multi-media tool has been designed to get students thinking about their surroundings, with the spotlight on landscape and water quality.

The innovative teaching aid has been produced by Heritage Lottery Fund backed Bassenthwaite Reflections, which puts education at the heart of its community landscape programme.

The resource pack targets 11 to 14 year olds and brings them up to speed with pressures on the area and the work being done to protect the lake, landscape, communities and wildlife. Other age groups can also benefit from the pack. The pack includes a 50 minute documentary featuring interviews with landowners and businesses, which brings issues facing the area into the classroom.

Nathan Fox heads up the Education team on the Forestry Commission estate at Whinlatter Forest, near Keswick. He said:

“We want to get more people in touch with current environmental issues, such as climate change and landscape management, and we think there’s no better place to learn than in your local forest park or community woodland.

“First hand experience of the natural world is the key to generating lifelong positive attitudes towards the environment. Woodlands can offer an accessible, safe, varied and stimulating setting for learning, play and adventure for all ages and abilities.”

The ground breaking educational initiative is endorsed by Cumbria County Council’s education services and will be promoted in schools across the county. It is also hoped that the initiative could ultimately be taken up in other regions.

The pilot scheme has been used by the University of Cumbria. Ullswater Community College, Penrith, Whitehaven, Beacon Hilll, Aspatria, Netherhall, Maryport and Keswick schools are all involved.

Bassenthwaite Reflections is a Heritage Lottery funded programme. Reflections partners are made up of Environment Agency, Lake District National Park Authority, National Trust, Forestry Commission, Grampus Heritage and Training and Cumbria County Council.

For further information about the Bassenthwaite Reflections Programme visit www.bassenthwaite-reflections.co.uk

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The Forestry Commission has pledged £636,000 to create 257 hectares (642 acres) of new woodland in North East England this year – and more cash is on offer to support other valuable planting schemes.

Over 40% of the new planting will occur in the Northumberland National Park as part of a drive to reverse centuries of deforestation and overgrazing by creating new native woods. The work will see leafy habitats restored to many bare valleys and ghylls with species like alder, oak and rowan. About 63 hectares (157 acre) will also target habitat creation for the endangered Black grouse.

The money has been earmarked under the latest round of the Woodland Creation Grant scheme, which aims to back projects which produce maximum gains for wildlife, recreation, land reclamation and landscape enhancement.

Colin Grayson, Grants and Regulation Manager with the Forestry Commission, said:

“We’ve put a further £100,000 into the kitty to support planting this winter or next Autumn. So if you have a good idea which will help the environment we might be able to give you a grant. Over the past few years our support has made a tremendous difference, allowing land managers to create woodlands on people’s doorsteps, boost wildlife habitats and turn derelict areas into verdant beauty spots. The new woodland will also help combat climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide as the trees grow.”

One landowner branching out is John Wilson of Whitelee Farm, who runs a 40 hectare (100 acre) sheep farm near Otterburn, Northumberland. He's been offered a grant worth nearly £12,000 over the next five years to create a 3.4 hectare wood to lure Black grouse back to his land.

“The farm was pretty much a tree-less landscape until a few years ago when we planted a small 3.5 hectare wood. Since then bird life has expanded from a few species to over 60, with sheep also enjoying better protection from the elements. We used to have a Black grouse lek on the farm, but we’ve seen no sign of the bird in recent times. The new wood will be planted with widely spaced trees to offer just the right kind of habitat.”

Elsewhere, £184,000 will help pay for the creation of 50 hectares of new community woodland at the Woodland Trust owned Low Burn Hall, near Durham. Grants totalling £70,000 have also been offered for 28 hectares of new planting in the Tees Valley and south Durham.

Photo: Mark Pinder/Forestry Commission

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A new forestry apprenticeship scheme has been launched in the Wyre Forest as part of a £4m initiative designed to protect and promote the region’s unique woodland landscape.

Four green apprentices have been appointed by the Forestry Commission and the Small Woods Association to help deliver ambitious plans to restore and conserve the built and natural features of the Wyre Forest.

Led by the Forestry Commission, the ‘Grow With Wyre’ Landscape Partnership Scheme, comprises of 18 projects which include orchard restorations, butterfly surveys and wildlife habitat improvements.

During their two-year training schemes, the apprentices will work with many of the partners involved to learn all the practical skills needed to become forest craftsmen including planting, felling and extracting timber. They will also be taught traditional forest management skills such as coppicing to help keep these techniques alive.

The course will be run in conjunction with Herefordshire College of Technology in Holme Lacy and each apprentice will complete an NVQ Level 2 in Forestry.

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Presentations from the recent ecosystem services workshop at Alice Holt are now available on the FR website:

http://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/fr/INFD-7WNDWM

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Work began in December on a unique floating visitor centre at the Brockholes Wetland and Woodland Reserve site, a 106 hectare reclaimed wetland habitat near Preston.

The distinctive centre is a concept designed by Adam Khan Architects inspired by ancient marshland villages. The centre will meet the highest sustainability standards and offers visitors an opportunity to be as close to the natural wetland habitat as possible. The centre is hoping to achieve BREEAM outstanding status, a first for a visitor attraction in the UK.

The new visitor centre is just one part of the wider project to turn Brockholes, a former gravel extraction site, into a premier natural visitor attraction. Brockholes is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of people from across England’s Northwest and inject an economic boost to the local area and the region as a whole. The project is funded by £8.6 million investment from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) under the Forestry Commission led land regeneration programme ‘Newlands’. Brockholes is owned and managed by Lancashire Wildlife Trust.

The visitor centre is a series of low impact spaces that will float on the edge of one the main areas of water and includes a shop and restaurant promoting local produce, an education and exhibition space and an area dedicated to events. Sustainable design is a key feature and the cluster of buildings will be constructed from FSC certified timber, recycled scaffold boards, solvent free resin flooring, low U value Okalux glazing and cleft oak shakes. A biomass boiler will provide the heating and electricity will be sourced from PV solar panels, whilst there is an aspiration to have additional energy supplied by a local water turbine.

The centre has been designed to be completely sensitive to the natural surroundings and the operation of the visitor village pays particular attention to energy conservation, reduced water usage, composting and recycling. The site is expected to generate sufficient income to be sustainable from day one of opening.

Keith Jones MICFor, Regional Director of The Forestry Commission, said:

“The commencement of building works today is an important landmark point in the project. We now look forward to realising the vision for Brockholes as a regionally and nationally significant wetland and woodland site, as the high environmental and design standards being set by the visitor centre are reflected across all other works on site.”

Lancashire Wildlife Trust is working with the Forestry Commission and NWDA to realise the long-term vision for the site. This includes an outdoor play area, opportunities for canoeing, fishing, walking, running and cycling as well as developing distinctive and memorable natural habitats to increase biodiversity. The site was initially purchased in late 2006 with £800,000 NWDA funding.

The completed reserve and visitor centre is expected to be open for visitors by 2011.

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The Arboricultural Association (AA) has achieved recognition by CHAS (Contractors Health And Safety assessment scheme) for its Approved Contractor scheme.

CHAS registration is a pre-requisite for many local authority and other larger organisation tenders, and the new recognition means the AA can now award both its own Approved Contractor and CHAS accreditation at the same time removing the need for a second assessment. This will avoid duplication of health and safety procedures, as happens currently, and will remove the additional fees previously incurred.

For more information contact the Arboricultural Association: 01242 522152 or visit their website. For details of the CHAS assessment scheme see www.chas.gov.uk.

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Are you intent on a fast-track into a career in nature conservation but have limited or no experience?

Project LEMUR offers 9 month funded full time bursary placements supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Each trainee receives a training bursary. Childcare allowances are available.

Full details about each of the placements and downloadable application packs will be available from the website www.projectlemur.org from the 4th JANUARY 2010 when the recruitment period begins. The next group of 18 placements will begin on the 12th April 2010.

You will be expected to be one of 18 enthusiastic, committed individuals willing to work as part of a team with other like-minded people, sometimes under time pressures, but always with a smile. The project seeks those who are keen to achieve a vocational qualification that will help them gain employment. This project offers the potential for you to become part of a network of employed environmental professionals.

Herefordshire Nature Trust, Sheffield Wildlife Trust and Ambios Ltd (Devon) have all successfully helped 95% of previous trainees secure their first paid post in nature conservation.

Now please view the attachment and/or watch the film http://www.projectlemur.org/lemur_film.html

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With only three months to go until the West Midlands’ newest mountain bike trail is launched on the Forestry Commission estate at Cannock Forest, near Rugeley, the organisers have put out a final call for volunteers to help get the trail finished in time.

From 10am until 4pm on Sunday 3 January 2010, volunteers will be encouraged to help complete the final sections of the mountain bike trail at Cannock Forest. Children and dogs must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

The ‘Big Build Day’ is being arranged by Chase Trails volunteers. Chase Trails is a group of local mountain bikers who have already given up countless weekends and raised thousands of pounds to help enhance the cycling facilities at Cannock Chase.

Experts will be on hand to offer guidance and instruction on trail building and safe working practices, so no experience is necessary. A barbecue lunch and refreshments will also be provided to satisfy all those healthy appetites.

Anyone interested in supporting the project or joining the Chase Trails volunteer group should call Rob Lamb on 07951 135506, visit www.chasetrails.co.uk or check out their new blog for all the latest news and trail building information at http://chasetrails.blogspot.com

People who are interested in volunteering for the ‘Big Build Day’ in January should meet at Swinnerton Cycles Forest Centre, Birches Valley, Cannock Chase. Tools are provided, but people can bring along their favourite spade. Sturdy footwear and suitable outdoor clothing is also advised.

The new bike trail is part of a £200,000 project to improve the visitor facilities at the Forestry Commission’s Cannock Forest and will involve developing some new look features added to existing routes. Cross-country, downhill and leisure trails will all benefit from the revamp.

The Project is being steered into action with the help of the Chase Trails volunteer group, cycle manufacturer - Giant UK, Swinnerton Cycles Forest Centre, Staffordshire Aggregates Levy Grant Scheme, Staffordshire County Council, the Sport England Community Investment Fund and the Forestry Commission.

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A Forestry Commission project to help barn owls in Cumbria’s Grizedale Forest and the Rusland Valley, between Coniston and Newby Bridge, has been hailed as a success, after a reported increase in the number of birds nesting in the area.

This year there have been six actively occupied nest boxes around Grizedale Forest, but previously there had been no more than two boxes occupied in any of the last 15 years.

Barn owls are a protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and have been in decline in Britain in the last 15 years due to increased use of pesticides and a reduction in the number of derelict buildings.

The project is a joint venture between the Forestry Commission and the World Owl Trust at Muncaster Castle, and funded by the Tourism and Conservation Partnership. The project was launched to identify suitable new habitat for the barn owls, followed by the installation of new nest boxes for them to breed in.

Monitoring owl numbers can be a useful tool in helping the Forestry Commission pick up on potential threats to different species at the earliest possible stage, and gives forest managers time to respond to their needs effectively. This can include setting of exclusion zones which help to avoid unnecessary disturbance to the owls from people and predators.

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The new automatic licence verification system (ALVS) will reduce customs clearance times and paperwork from 16 February 2010, Defra and HM Revenue and Customs have announced.

It is planned that clearance times will be reduced from two hours to 10 minutes for companies importing flowers, plants, fruit and vegetables into England and Wales from outside the EU.

The new system will electronically link the systems of HMRC, the Rural Payments Agency and the Food & Environment Research Authority.

Quick ALVS customs clearance will occur when document unique consignment reference, weight and commodity codes entered on the customs declaration exactly match the details entered.

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The Forestry Commission has established a Biosecurity Programme Board to oversee and advise on its work to protect Britain's trees and forests from pests and diseases. It is chaired by Roger Coppock FICFor, Head of the Forestry Commission's Specialist Advisors and comprises representatives from across the forestry and wood-using sectors, as well as experts from the Commission itself. It will advise the Commission on how best to implement a programme of forest protection that will be set out in a new Plant Health Strategy that it will publish in 2010.

The board will help the Commission to meet its objective of "preserving the health and vitality of Britain's forests, trees and woodlands through strategies which exclude, detect and respond to existing and new pests and pathogens of trees, whether native or of exotic origin".

Announcing its formation, Roddie Burgess, Head of the Commission's Plant Health Service, said,

"The enormous increase in movements of people and trade across international boundaries has meant a commensurate increase in the risk of pests and pathogens accidentally entering Britain and posing threats to the health of our trees, woods and forests.

"Climate change might also be contributing to the increased risk, in that pests and pathogens that previously could not have survived our winters are now surviving here as we experience fewer hard frosts in winter and, particularly, late spring.

"During the past decade alone we have had to deal with outbreaks of a number of pests and pathogens previously unknown here. We are therefore strengthening our plant health strategy in the light of this increased risk and occurrence, and the formation of this Biosecurity Programme Board is part of the emerging strategy.

"I'm delighted with the response from our partners in the forestry and wood-using sectors in joining the board and contributing their knowledge and expertise to our efforts to tackle this issue."

The board held its first meeting on 26th November, 2009 and its full terms of reference, membership and papers are published in the plant health pages of the Forestry Commission website at:www.forestry.gov.uk/planthealth

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Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government today (21 December) added additional invasive non-native species to the list of those that cannot be introduced into the wild.

A total of 63 species will be added to the list, including wild boar, floating pennywort, the European Eagle owl and the Monk Parakeet. These are species that have the ability to spread in the wild, causing damage to the environment, economy, public health and the way we live.

Wildlife Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said:

“It is essential that our native species are given the protection they need to flourish. 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity and it’s more important than ever to do all that we can to halt the loss of biodiversity. Stopping the spread of invasive non-native species makes a real difference to the survival of our own native plants, birds and animals.”

Following the Defra and Welsh Assembly consultation to strengthen protection given to native wildlife in England and Wales, the list of animals, birds and plants under schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 will be amended and updated. The majority of species listed on Schedule 9 are invasive non-native species.

Invasive non-native species are considered one of the greatest threats to wildlife worldwide. Their impacts can be far reaching – they have adverse impacts on native wildlife by preying upon it, competing for habitat and/or food and by spreading disease. They can threaten economic interests such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries and development. Controlling the release of invasive non-native species into the wild is a key element of conserving our native wildlife.

A species’ inclusion on the lists means that it cannot be introduced into the wild. This can be to protect our native plants and animals or to ensure that re-introduction of species such as the Red Kite is done appropriately, safeguarding our native populations.

The additions to the schedule include:

• two species of mammal including the Chinese water deer;
• 14 birds including the Snow Goose;
• eight invertebrates including the Slipper Limpet;
• 35 plants including two types of rhododendron; and
• two algae.

In addition, seven animal species will be removed from the list, including the Mongolian Gerbil and the Himalayan Porcupine, which are no longer present in the wild.

The consultation ran for 12 weeks from the end of 2007 to the beginning of 2008 and results of the consultation were published in May 2009.

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Forestry Commission Scotland has received strong support for the concept of establishing a series of red squirrel strongholds across Scotland.

In its response to a consultation earlier this year, the Commission has today signalled that it will lead the work to plan and manage 18 stronghold sites that will help safeguard the country’s surviving red squirrel population.

A stakeholder group will be formed early in 2010 to take the plans forward and to develop guidance for land managers. The guidance will help in the management of stronghold areas in balance with other objectives, including increasing wider wildlife benefits from woodlands.

Welcoming the findings, Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said:

“Red squirrels are an important and high-profile part of Scotland’s biodiversity so it is crucial that we do what we can to safeguard their long-term survival.

“It is not enough to simply control grey squirrels. We also need to ensure that we protect and manage those habitats that allow red squirrels to thrive but which are unappealing for greys.

“The backing and support of landowners means that we can now take forward plans that will ensure the success of this long term conservation opportunity.”

Supplementing and complementing work to control the spread of greys and the squirrel pox virus they carry, the strongholds will be developed by Forestry Commission Scotland in association with landowners and managers, Scottish Natural Heritage and other parts of the Scottish Government.

Ron McDonald, Head of Policy and Advice for SNH said:

“Grey squirrels have already displaced red squirrels from most of England and Wales, as well as Scotland’s central belt. Fortunately, much of the north of Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway are still grey-free. But with sightings of greys becoming more frequent even in some of these areas, it's essential that we act quickly to protect red squirrels and prevent the greys’ further migration.

“Developing red squirrel strongholds is part of a larger strategy in Scotland, alongside the Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels project, and will, we believe, play an important part in making sure red squirrels flourish in Scotland. We were very pleased to see the support for these proposals, as these strongholds will no doubt play an important part in making sure red squirrels flourish in Scotland.”

With each site being at least 2000 hectares in size, around 100,000 ha of the best forest sites in Scotland will be managed as refuges for red squirrels, focusing on ensuring food supplies for reds (from cone bearing conifers) and restricting food sources preferred by greys (large seeded broadleaves).

FCS will work with landowners and local communities, aiming to finalise stronghold maps and develop suitable management plans in all the 18 locations proposed in the consultation: Ordiequish/Whiteash/Ben Aigan, Eredine, Culbin Forest, Inverliever, Kilmichael, Glentochty, Black Isle, South Rannoch, Glen Glass, Fleet Basin, Morangie Forest, Daviot Loch Moy, Inshriach and Glenfeshie, Leanachan, Balmoral to Inver, Eskdalemuir, Glenbranter, Abernethy, Nethy Bridge.

The Commission’s response and findings to the consultation will help set out the Scottish Government’s approach to red squirrel conservation, which is to be produced jointly with Scottish Natural Heritage.

For further information on the development of stronghold sites and the full response by Forestry Commission Scotland to the consultation, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/strongholdsconsultation

or

Email Jacquie Christie to receive a hard copy.

Photo courtesy Forestry Commission Scotland

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Round 6 of the Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme (for England only) aims to promote the efficient use of biomass for energy, by stimulating the early deployment of biomass fuelled heat and biomass combined heat and power projects.

The scheme is aimed at businesses, organisations and charities in the commercial, industrial and community sectors in England, that are considering investing in biomass-fuelled heat and/or combined heat and power projects, including anaerobic digesters. Capital grants are awarded towards the cost of equipment in complete installations.

Grant Value - maximum: £ 500,000. No minimum. Grants are offered at a variable rate of up to 40% of the difference in cost of installing the biomass boiler or CHP plant compared to installing a fossil fuel alternative.

The application form and guidance notes www.bioenergycapitalgrants.org.uk – supposed to be available before the end of December. The final deadline for applications is 31 March 2010. Email biocapitalgrants@aeat.co.uk to register your interest in Round 6 and to be notified when the forms are available.

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The Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) has admitted 20 new professional members (MICFor) following its annual professional examinations in November.

Phillip Brophy, Barrell Tree Consultancy
David Challice, Challice Consulting Ltd
Peter Chappell, UPM Tilhill
Brian Crane, Brian G. Crane & Associates
Neville Fay, Treework Environmental Practice
Phillip Harris, Arboricultural Consultant
Kieron Hart, Marishall Thompson Group
Simon Holmes, Tree Surveys
Elspeth Macdonald, Forest Research
Andrew Moffat, Forest Research
Andrew Pinchin, Challice Consulting Ltd
Andrew Player, The Crown Estate (Dunster)
Dominic Poston, Essex County Council
Andrew Potter, Bartlett Tree Experts
Keith Sacre, Barcham Trees plc
Mervyn Simpson, Provincial Tree Services Ltd
Victoria Stokes (With Distinction), Forest Research
Glyn Thomas, Cheshire Woodlands
Helen Thorburn, FPCR LLP
Alistair Yeomans, The Sylva Foundation

Welcoming the new members, ICF President, Bill MacDonald FICFor, said:

“I congratulate the new Chartered Foresters and Chartered Arboriculturists who successfully completed their examinations and have been individually approved by ICF Council. They have each have worked hard to gain themselves chartered status and have proven their expertise, skills and integrity.”
“In today’s competitive environment, the value of achieving and maintaining chartered membership is more important than ever. Employers recognise our professional members’ commitment to high standards and keeping skills and knowledge at the cutting edge.”

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Businesses across central Scotland are being encouraged to take advantage of Scottish Government funding and make the move to biomass based energy systems.

The Scottish Biomass Heat Scheme - administered by Forestry Commission Scotland - aims to support small to medium sized businesses looking to make the infrastructure changes necessary to tap into renewable heat for their premises.

The closing date for applications is 12th February 2010.

Virginia Harden, the Commission’s Biomass Development Officer for Central Scotland said:

“The scheme has been very successful so far. It’s a great opportunity for businesses to contribute to the fight against climate change, boost their environmental credentials and also make long-term cost savings.

“As well as supporting businesses making the move to biomass, funding is also available for district heating demonstrators.”

The Scottish Biomass Heat Scheme has already funded successful projects in central Scotland.

For further information on the SBHS Please see
www.usewoodfuel.co.uk/ScottishBiomassHeatScheme.stm#Third%20Round

If you would like to make enquiries regarding the scheme and the possibilities for your business, email Virginia Harden or call her on 01698 368545.

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Arboriculture professionals have developed a Charter for Trees in Towns to create a single voice on the issue.

Launched at Treework Environmental Practice's Trees and Urban Climate Adaptation seminar last week's, the charter aims for a more co-ordinated approach to lobbying for trees.
Signatories are asked to lend their support to a series of seven statements. These are to work together to:

• Maintain and enhance the natural beauty and amenity of urban green space.
• Help reduce the environmental footprint of cities.
• Encourage environmental understanding through local care and stewardship of trees.
• Reduce surface run-off in towns and cities and their upstream water catchments to reduce the risk of flooding.
• Develop the necessary policies and delivery programmes with clear lines of responsibility.
• Deliver the funds necessary to enhance and maintain the green infrastructure and biodiversity of urban environments.
• Help cities remain as comfortable places to live and work in the face of climate change.

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From August to November a number of small working groups have developed units from the National Occupational Standards to be included in future qualifications. These units only provide the basic outline which awarding organisations will then use to develop more detailed assessment e.g. summarise current and relevant legislation will be further developed by the awarding organisation who will list the legislation to be considered.

If you are unfamiliar with the requirements for developing units for the Qualification and Credit Framework please refer to the guidance document.

These units are now available for review by the trees and timber industry until the 24 December.

Review the units

Following this review any comments will be taken back to the groups who have developed the units for further consideration before they are finalised and made available to awarding organisations in January 2010.

Please note that those units identified as NPTC developed are not included in this review as these units have been previously developed and agreed by the industry.

What you need to do?

Look at the units where you have experience.

1. Read through to ensure that nothing of significance is missing, remembering that the detail comes later in the assessment guidance.
2. Does the credit value, (1 credit equals 10 hours of learning), reflect the learning required to achieve the learning outcomes stated in the unit?
3. Is the level of the unit correct?

How to respond

Email your comments back to Lantra by 12pm on 24 December 2009. Please state the title of the unit in the subject box, followed by your comments in the email, we still need your feedback whether your comments are critical or encouraging.

If you review a unit and are happy with it then please take the time to email back stating this, remembering the unit title in the subject box.

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The Forestry Commission celebrates 90 years of successfully managing the public forest estate today, 8 December. This anniversary holds particular significance in Devon as it all began in Eggesford Forest within the Taw Valley.

It was on this day in 1919 that Lord Clinton, a newly appointed Commissioner of the Forestry Commission planted its first trees, some of which still stand in the forest today.

Over the last 90 years the commission has grown from this to an organisation, which today cares for 827,000 hectares of sustainably managed woods, plants 17 million trees every year and employs 3000 people. It is also the biggest provider of recreation in the country and is heavily involved in working to lessen the impact of climate change.

So why Eggesford Forest? Jimmy Mann, Area Forester for North Devon, explains:

“After the first major planning meeting of the newly formed Forestry Commission on 8 December 1919, two of the commissioners decided to have a competition to see who could get home first and plant the first trees.

“ A certain Lord Clinton made it to his home in Devon before his friendly rival Lord Lovat from Scotland. On arrival at Eggesford Station he headed straight to Flashdown Wood in Eggesford Forest with some local foresters to plant some trees. He then sent a telegram to Lord Lovat, which he was handed on arrival at Elgin station – his exact response to this telegram is not known!

“Some of these trees are still there along with a commemorative stone, which surprisingly has a spelling mistake on it – one to look out for when visiting!"

The early remit of the Forestry Commission was clear, to rebuild and expand the country’s timber reserves. It faced many challenges over the years, not least the Second World War, which depleted its stocks severely.

However, in more recent times, it has become clear that forests embrace so much more than just producing timber.

Jimmy continues his story:

“People have become more aware of their surroundings and now look to forests to be places to visit and enjoy. For decades now the Forestry Commission has placed more emphasis on developing attractive, well managed woodland, which provide good habitats for wildlife, recreational and social benefits and produce high quality timber. In short, making the idea of multi-purpose forestry a reality.”

“A great example of this in Devon is Haldon Forest Park near Exeter. This working forest, which is the first man-made forest to be designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, attracts over 300,000 visitors a year. We have developed cycling and walking trails, partnered with other businesses such as a forest cycle hire centre and a new café. All of this is taking place within a forest that produces 17,500 tonnes of timber every year and possesses an impressive range of birds of prey, ground nesting birds and butterflies.”

“Eggesford, whilst not as developed as Haldon is also as popular as ever. It is still a working forest but is also used by many people for recreation and is valued enormously by the local community. A beautiful, diverse woodland with walking trails, picnic areas and has an array of wildlife, it is well worth a visit to celebrate its history. The forest also plays host to an outdoor education centre run by Devon County Council.

“As well as being able to see the first -ever trees planted by the commission, there are other historic sites on view, including a commemorative stone to mark the planting of the millionth acre by the commission, which was unveiled by The Queen on a visit to Eggesford in 1956.”

“Years ago, when people thought of the meaning of ‘forestry’ they often pictured block plantations of conifer trees that were dark, dank and uninviting. The reality of forests today couldn’t be more different. Each forest has its own specific long-term plan, which takes all the different priorities in to account and focuses on making it diverse, attractive, open and inviting."

“Devon’s forests are testament to this hard work, boasting some of our most beautiful woodlands. The Forestry Commission has come a very long way in 90 years and I feel very proud that it all started in our county.”

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Teams of experts from the Welsh construction and timber sectors are coming together to thrash out a plan for a climate change future – which could see super energy efficient homes built on Welsh knowledge and timber.

Woodknowledge Wales is looking to forge exciting new business links to put homegrown timber at the forefront of the shift towards sustainable buildings at a day long symposium in south Wales on Tuesday 8 December.

“Wales is committed to improving the quality of its housing stock and timber has a critical role to play in that,” said WKW chair Phil Roberts. “We believe that home grown timber has a key role to play in this, providing locally sourced material to help with carbon credentials.”

WKW, which leads timber innovation, research and development on behalf of the Wales Forest Business Partnership, believes the time is right to break into the longstanding problem of the timber supply chain in Wales.

And now they are calling together experts from the building, forestry and timber sectors for a day long series of talks and discussions – Bridging the Gap at ECM2, Margam SA13 2EZ on Tuesday 8 December.

Thousands of hectares of woodlands go unmanaged across the country because private owners believe there is no market for their timber.

Architects do not specify local timber because they do not believe it is available. And builders simply order from their local supplier without considering where the timber comes from at all.

“For years there has been the need to link up this chain by bringing all the different sectors together, and that is just what we are aiming to do,” said Nick Tune, director of BRE Wales.

A new wood fuelled power station in south Wales has created a massive new market for wood chip – a market that is now being fuelled by established timber producers.

But much of that timber could be used in construction – if new ways could be found for private woodland owners to tap into the lucrative wood fuel sector.

“We have to find out what is available, what each of the players in the construction sector’s needs are so that we can create an exciting new way of using our timber, creating more jobs and keeping more wealth in Wales,” said WKW’s Dr Dennis Jones.

The Welsh Assembly Government has adopted the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH), with the aim of ensuring all new buildings aspire to zero carbon by 2011 - a full 5 years before other areas of the UK.

And Woodknowledge Wales, believes one of the best ways to reach those aspirations is by using home-grown timber.

“The Welsh construction sector has been given the task of meeting the housing demand across Wales, providing homes that not only look good, but provide multiple environmental benefits,” said Dr Jones.

“Timber provides an excellent route to meeting the highest levels of sustainability within the CSH and is recognised as a way of locking carbon dioxide so helping reduce global warming,” he said.

“Best of all, timber homes are inherently more energy efficient, produce less carbon dioxide during construction and have a lower carbon footprint than wet build developments.”

Contact:

Dr Dennis Jones – Woodknowledge Wales: Tel 0777 222 8711

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After eight years as Chair of the Forestry Commission Lord Clark of Windermere is marking his retirement by helping to fell two 70 foot trees at Chapel House Wood, near Newby Bridge, where his forestry career began in 1956.

Today, Monday 7 December, Lord Clark will help operate a 22 tonne harvesting machine in the wood to cut down the two trees as part of the Forestry Commission’s ongoing woodland management in the area.

Lord (David) Clark (70) started his working life at 16 years of age as a forest worker at Chapel House Wood with the former Bowness forestry firm, Mould and Bloomer. He helped to plant trees there in 1956.

Chapel House Wood is at Gummer’s Howe, just above the southern tip of Lake Windermere, near Newby Bridge, and offers spectacular views across the lake to fells beyond. The wood forms part of the Forestry Commission estate in Cumbria, which also includes much of Ennerdale, Whinlatter, Dodd Wood and Grizedale.

Once described as ‘the first green politician of any party to reach the front bench in the Commons’, Lord Clark has continued to keep an interest in Cumbria as a life member of the Friends of the Lake District and the National Trust, the President of the Lake District and North Lancashire Ramblers Association and former President of the Open Spaces Society.

Before the visit Lord Clark said:

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my eight years as Chairman of the Forestry Commission in England. The organisation was formed in 1919 to create a national reserve of timber in case of a future war but it has changed out of all recognition in recent years. The Forestry Commission now has a very strong focus on ensuring our woodlands provide a wide range of public benefits.

“In the North West of England alone the Forestry Commission looks after more than 22 million trees and plants around half a million new trees every year. Our rangers help to protect wildlife such as red squirrels and ospreys, and our forests are increasingly being used for recreation, health and education. Our forests also play an important role in tackling climate change by acting as a carbon store.

“I’m looking forward to returning to Chapel House Wood and to seeing how modern machinery is helping to keep our woodlands in the very best condition for future generations to enjoy. When I was here in 1956 all trees were cut by hand!”

For eleven years Lord Clark sat in the shadow Cabinet with responsibility at times for Environmental Protection, Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs, and Defence. He joined the Cabinet in 1997 as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. He also chaired Parliament’s All-Party National Parks Group and the All-Party Forestry Group.

Lord Clark has continued to keep an interest in Cumbria as a life member of the Friends of the Lake District and the National Trust, the President of the Lake District and North Lancashire Ramblers Association and former President of the Open Spaces Society. He is also Chair of the Lake District National Park Partnership and chairs the Lake District World Heritage Site Steering Group.

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Scotland’s forestry industry will this winter be ready to initiate action to clear storm damage to forests and woodlands and help keep things running smoothly.

Forestry Commission Scotland has pulled together an interim contingency plan that will help co-ordinate forestry sector efforts to tackle the after effects of an extreme windblow event.

Windblow season runs from October to April and severe windstorms – where wind speed exceeds 90mph – can cause havoc when large numbers of trees are blown over.

Catherine MacCulloch, who has helped develop the plan, said: “Windblown trees can disrupt utility services, block public transport routes and prevent the emergency services from getting to where they need to be so. The disruption also extends to timber supplies, which obviously has an economic impact on the timber industry.

“It’s therefore important that the forestry sector is prepared and ready to respond as quickly as possible to this sort of storm damage and that we keep everyone informed.”

As soon as predicted wind speeds start reaching 90 miles per hour the plan will be initiated. Should a catastrophic windblow event then happen, action will focus on co-ordinating efforts within the forest industry to develop a quick and efficient response and recovery strategy.

Simon Hodge FICFor, Head of Policy for the Commission, added: “Severe storms may become more common with ongoing climate change, however the frequency, scale and location of these events is unpredictable.“This contingency plan will mean that the forestry sector is in a permanent state of readiness to deal with and recover from damaging storms.”

For more information visit www.forestry.gov.uk/windblowplan

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Heineken UK (formerly Scottish & Newcastle UK) has opened its new biomass plant at Royal Brewery in Manchester.

Heineken UK’s investment in this biomass plant, as well as a second biomass plant at its John Smith’s Brewery in Tadcaster, is approximately £35 million, (£17.5 million for each plant) making it one of the largest single investments in renewable technology by a non-utility company in the UK.

Construction on the biomass plants started in 2007 and they have been fully operational since October this year. The plants will burn locally sourced wood chip initially to generate steam and electricity, with the ability to fit equipment to burn spent grain at a later date. They have each been designed to produce 37,000 MWh of electrical energy per year, which is enough to supply all of the site’s power requirements, and any excess energy produced will be sold back to the National Grid.

The Manchester and Tadcaster biomass plants will together reduce carbon emissions by 30,000tonnes per annum (15,000tonnes per annum each) which is the equivalent to taking 21,650 cars off the road per year or saving the carbon emissions from 5000 homes per year.

Heineken UK’s Managing Director, Stefan Orlowski said:

‘The launch of our biomass plant at Royal Brewery is a key milestone in Heineken UK’s commitment to mitigating the impact of climate change. Our new plant both here in Manchester and in Tadcaster will significantly reduce carbon emissions and provide us with renewable energy generated and used on site.

‘Our investment in these plants builds on an already strong environmental record and we have recognised energy and climate change as a critical business issue for several years, reducing our carbon emissions by 14% since 2004. We have many effective initiatives in place - we’ve been working with the Carbon Trust on carbon footprinting and labelling, we will be planting approximately 400,000 new apple trees in our contract growers’ orchards in Herefordshire between 2009 and 2011, and we are working hard to help our pub lessees reduce their energy usage. We are continuously looking for more ways to further improve our environmental record to build a sustainable future for our business.’

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The Forestry Commission short video which leads into next year's Commonwealth Forestry Conference in Edinburgh, together with other video footage from the World Forestry Conference in Argentina, are available through the link below.

Link to FC on You Tube

Go to the website for the Commonwealth Forestry Conference

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This guidance note provides an introduction to the restoration and management of ancient wood pastures in Scotland.

It is aimed at land managers, their advisers and agency staff involved in land management and grant assessment. It has also been developed to help applicants to the Scottish Rural Development Programme deliver the ‘Management of Ancient Wood Pasture’ Rural Priority. In addition to basic guidance, links are provided to more detailed publications that may be of help to interested land managers.

The note is divided into six sections. The initial sections describe the different types of ancient wood pastures, some background history to their development, and how remnants may be identified throughout the Scottish landscape today. Recognition is also given to the variety of wood pasture habitats and their contribution to wildlife.

Guidance is provided on the care of veteran trees to ensure their survival and succession. Equally important is management of the pasture, and guidance is offered on the development of managed grazing regimes to maintain appropriate diversity of the pasture vegetation. The note concludes with promoting the benefits of a management plan and providing some guidance for its preparation.

This note was written by Roland Stiven for Forestry Commission Scotland. The project was carried out under the direction of a Steering Group made up of Forest Research, Scottish Natural Heritage, Historic Scotland, Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, Scottish Agricultural College and Peter Quelch, an independent woodland advisor.

Download the Guidance Note

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Forest Research played an important role in delivering the recently published first national assessment of UK forestry and climate change (Combating Climate Change - A Role for UK Forests).

The report was prepared by a panel of scientists chaired by Professor Sir David Read, Emeritus Professor of Plant Sciences at the University of Sheffield and recently Vice-President of the Royal Society. It was officially published at an event hosted by the Forestry Commission at London Zoo on November 25.

It provides peer-reviewed information at the national level, and follows on from the recommendations from the global evaluation provided by the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change. It is believed to be the first national study of its type in the world.

"We are delighted to have been asked by Professor Read to participate, along with other national and international scientists, to this assessment," said Professor Peter Freer-Smith, the Forestry Commission's Chief Scientist. "It confirms the importance of Forest Research's work on the effects of climate change on forests, as well as how forests and trees can be used to reduce the effects of any change."

A number of Forest Research staff worked as members of the assessment Steering Group, editors and authors, together with other independent scientists, to conduct the assessment. Professor Andy Moffat, Head of Forest Research's Centre for Forestry & Climate Change, added,

"This is an authoritative review of the existing research, much of it carried out by Forest Research, covering the interactions between the UK's forests and the atmosphere.

"Our research has contributed towards a better understanding of climate change impacts, adaptation and mitigation (including abatement of greenhouse gas emissions through forestry measures). It also supports our expanding knowledge about biomass energy and forest products, the urban environment, and the socio-economics of forestry and climate change.

"The evidence we provided helped to show that if an extra four per cent of the UK's land were planted with new woodland over the next 40 years, it could be locking up ten per cent of the nation's predicted greenhouse gas emissions by the 2050s."

The report also recommends future priorities for UK forestry and forestry research, noting that new responses are needed to deal with the novel and changing circumstances facing the sector.

The report was welcomed by Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, who pledged that the Government will work with communities and businesses to ensure that greatly increased woodland establishment happens.

Presenting the report, Professor Read said,

"All our research points to the fact that forestry can make a significant and cost-effective contribution to meeting the UK's challenging emissions reduction targets."

Download the Assessment Report at:

http://www.tsoshop.co.uk/

Hard copies, priced £30, can be purchased from the same source. A PDF of the synthesis of the report is available from www.forestry.gov.uk/climatechange.

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The ICF's Educational and Scientific Trust's Annual Travel Bursary is its flagship award for the sum of £500.

The EST is looking for high quality proposals which demonstrate that the proposed travel will make a substantial contribution to the applicant’s professional development.

One award will be made to the applicant who, in the Trustee’s opinion, makes the best case.

The recipient of the bursary is expected to write an article on his/her experience for Chartered Forester magazine. The next round of applications must be received by 31 March 2010.

Application forms are on the ICF website under Educational and Scientific Trust where you can also find case studies from previous successful applicants.

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DARD has confirmed that grants under the Woodland Grant Scheme (WGS) and Farm Woodland Premium Scheme (FWPS) will be increased in 2010.

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA, announced increases in forestry grants, under the Rural Development Programme to encourage more farmers and landowners to create their own woodland.

WGS rates are set to rise by up to 30 per cent. The scheme is open to all landowners wishing to establish new woodland. The FWPS, which provides an annual payment for up to 15 years to compensate for loss of agricultural income, will see its rates increased by as much as 50 per cent.

The announcement was made following Forest Service consultation with a cross section of stakeholders involved in woodland creation and a subsequent review of the Woodland Grant Scheme and Farm Woodland Premium Scheme payment rates.

The Woodland Grant Scheme will now pay £2400 per hectare for broadleaved woodland and £1600 per hectare for conifer woodland.

For new farmer applicants and farmer applicants under the current Farm Woodland Premium Scheme open since January 2007, annual payment rates will increase by as much as 50%. These higher rates range up to £290 per hectare (or £117 per acre) per year and compare very favourably with current conacre rates for grassland. They depend on the category of land to be planted and whether it is inside or outside the Less Favoured Areas (LFA), so check first before applying.

Forest Service will also continue to provide funding for the Short Rotation Coppice Scheme, at least until 2013 when the current Rural Development Programme comes to an end. Already farmers have created approximately 800 ha of Short Rotation Coppice for an energy end use, under this scheme, and its predecessor, the Short Rotation Coppice Challenge Fund.

Lastly, anyone claiming Single Farm Payment (SFP) in 2008, you can now plant their land, and continue to claim SFP as well as the annual FWPS forestry payments.

For further details phone Forest Service on 02890 765391, email to grants.forestservice@dardni.gov.uk or visit the Forest Service website.

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For any parties interested in delivering ‘Woodfuel Champion’ advisory services in the West Midlands, Hartwoods is looking for delivery partners who can assist project development in the following key areas:

• Woodland management and Woodfuel development training support
• Business Development (skills development)
• Woodfuel technical Support (fuel quality / boiler technology)

Contracted partners can expect a minimum of 20 days subsidised advice over the course of the project and will receive training supported by the Heartwoods project. It is envisaged that we will be recruiting 3-4 partners per County although contractors with specialist skills may be asked to work across the region.

Applications are invited by simply completing the application form (part of the downloads below) and returning it to Heartwoods by 21 December 2009.

The approach of developing private sector woodfuel champions has been a success in the Wyre Forest area and we will seek to replicate this approach across the West Midlands.

Download:
Flyer
Contract information /request for enquiries

For more information contact Nick Maskery, Heartwoods Project Manager, on 01952 435859 or e-mail: nickmaskery@smallwoods.org.uk

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The longhorn Morimus Asper Beetle has been discovered on wood in Anglesy and it is likely that it reached the island on imported wood.

The find was made by Heather Jones, a joiner’s wife, who spotted the creature on wood that her husband was using to make a table.

The one inch long insect, believed to be the first of its type to be discovered in Wales, was sent to be examined at the National Museum of Wales.

Brian Levey, the museums’ Curator of Coleoptera, said that Anglesey was not likely to see a beetle invasion.

“This is probably the first time Morimus Asper has been found in Wales and as it originates from a much warmer climate, it is unlikely to become established in the UK,” he said.

There are around 20,000 species of longhorn beetle worldwide, and this variety is considered an endangered species. Most have larvae that feed in woody plants. Some attack living trees and can cause considerable economic damage, while others live only in already dead wood as part of the great recycling system which helps to break down of the wood.

The larger species usually live for several years as a larva before becoming adult. In general the adult only lives for a few weeks or months, although some like the longhorn can survive for more than a year as an adult.

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The latest 2009 Forest Market Report, produced jointly by UPM Tilhill and land agent Savills, shows that the UK's forestry and woodland investment market has nearly doubled in value this year.

It also shows that it remains buoyant thanks to long-term confidence in the timber and wood energy market.

Download the report

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The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has published six draft Energy National Policy Statements (NPS’s) to guide planning decisions on energy infrastructure. These include one overarching energy NPS and one for each of the technologies: fossil fuels, renewables, transmission networks, oil and gas pipelines, and nuclear.

As part of the Governments consultation on the draft National Policy Statements for energy infrastructure there will be a number of national public consultation events. These events aim to raise awareness of the consultation, inform people how they can respond, allow people to understand where this consultation fits in the overall process and answer any question people may have regarding the consultation itself.

The events will be run by DECC, however there will also be representatives from both the Infrastructure Planning Commission (PC) and Planning Aid in attendance to answer questions about the IPC and provide impartial planning advice respectively. There will also be presentations by senior officials and a chance to pose your questions to some of the authors of the National Policy Statements.

The dates, locations and venues of future national events are listed below :

2nd December 2009, Kensington Hilton, London
20th January 2010, Novotel, Cardiff
21st January 2010, Rougemont Hotel, Exeter

Pre-registering for an event will enable you to reserve your place at an event, however, those turning up on the day will be able to attend if there are free spaces. For more information on the national events, please visit www.energynpsconsultation.decc.gov.uk/home/events/nationalevents/

For more information on the national policy statements and their associated consultation activities, including the ten local consultation events addressing the nuclear national policy statement, please visit www.energynpsconsultation.decc.gov.uk/home/

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Forestry Commission Wales has appointed John Lloyd Jones to its National Committee.

Mr Lloyd Jones, who is Chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales, will take up the role of non-executive member for a period of three years.

The National Committee is responsible for giving strategic direction to Forestry Commission Wales. It has eight members and meets six times a year in various locations across the country.

Mr Lloyd Jones also sits on the Woodland Advisory Panel, which advises the Welsh Ministers and Forestry Commissioners on the implementation of Woodlands for Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government’s strategy for woodlands and trees.

FC Wales Director Trefor Owen FICFor said, "I am delighted that John has been appointed to Forestry Commission Wales's National Committee. He brings a great deal of relevant experience and knowledge to the Committee, especially in areas relating to land use policy and management."

Mr Jones replaces Geraint George, who sat on the National Committee for six years.

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At the Inverness College graduation ceremony this month, student Liam MacDonald was delighted to hear that he had won the Institute of Chartered Foresters’ (ICF) Best Student Award.

Liam, from Walston in South Lanarkshire, graduated with a BSc with distinction in Sustainable Forest Management with Forestry Conservation. He said: “I'm really pleased to get the ICF's Best Student award and it was a welcome surprise to me. It's something I can add to my CV and will help me stand out from the crowd."

The award, given to the best forestry student in their final year, was presented to Liam by MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey, Danny Alexander, and ICF Regional Group Chairman for North Scotland, Neil McKay MICFor.

Presenting the award, Neil said: “It’s an honour for me to present this award to Liam. It represents what the ICF is about – striving for excellence in the forestry profession. He has demonstrated a commitment to high standards and I wish him success as he starts his career.”

It was a double win for Liam who also received the Scottish Woodlands Prize on behalf of Scottish Woodlands Ltd.

During his studies, Liam completed an industrial sandwich placement with the Northern Ireland Forest Service in 2007. He leaves Inverness planning to obtain work-based experience in conservation before beginning a Masters in 2010.

Pictured: Neil McKay MICFor (left) presenting the Best Student award to Liam MacDonald at the Eden Court Theatre, Inverness.

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Forestry Commission England has confirmed that EWGS contracts are now being offered to woodland creation grant applicants. In a previous communication it was mentioned that there was a delay issuing contracts pendinge still waiting for EU approval. This is still the case, with approval not expected until at least January 2010. In light of this and the impact late approval would have on woodland planting this year, FCE has been liaising with Defra and Defra have now agreed that FCE can issue woodland creation grant contracts (including the new Farm Woodland Payment rates) in advance of EU approval. This means there is no risk to the applicant and are guaranteed their rate as set out in the contract, even if the EU do not approve the proposed rates.

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If an extra four per cent of the United Kingdom's land were planted with new woodland over the next 40 years, it could be locking up ten per cent of the nation's predicted greenhouse gas emissions by the 2050s.

That's the view of an expert, independent panel of scientists who today published the first national assessment of the potential of the UK's forests to mitigate climate change, and of requirements to ensure they can successfully adapt to our new conditions.

The panel, chaired by Professor Sir David Read, recently Vice-President of the Royal Society and currently Emeritus Professor of Plant Sciences at the University of Sheffield, was tasked by the Forestry Commission to make the assessment - believed to be the first national study of its type in the world.

Speaking at an event in London today to publish the report, Professor Read said:

"All our research points to the fact that forestry can make a significant and cost-effective contribution to meeting the UK's challenging emissions reduction targets.

"By increasing our tree cover we can lock up carbon directly. By using more wood for fuel and construction materials we can make savings by using less gas, oil and coal, and by substituting sustainably produced timber for less climate-friendly materials.

"While so many emissions reduction measures have negative connotations, tree planting can be a win, win, win solution: people love trees, we benefit from them in so many different ways, and now we know they could play a significant part in reducing the UK's carbon dioxide emissions."

The report suggests that appropriate planting of 23,000 hectares a year - equivalent to about 30,000 football pitches - over 40 years would involve changing the use of only four per cent of the UK's land. This would mean increasing tree planting by 200 per cent on current levels. It would bring woodland cover in the UK from its current 12 per cent of the land area to 16 per cent, still well below the European average of 37 per cent.

On mitigating climate change, the report says:

• woodland creation has the potential to provide highly cost-effective and achievable abatement of greenhouse gas emissions compared with potential options in other sectors;
• carbon storage in UK forests has been declining as a result of
• new-planting rates falling and younger forests, which sequester more carbon than older forests, maturing. Stepping up the new woodland planting rate would help to reverse this decline;
• creating new forests would help to reduce greenhouse gas
• emissions in other ways, for example, by reducing the use of nitrogen fertilisers, which require a high fossil fuel input in their manufacture, and by reducing the emissions of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide from the land;
• if the market for wood construction products continues to grow at its current rate over the next 10 years, there is the potential to store an estimated additional 10 million tonnes (Mt) of carbon (equivalent to 36.7 Mt CO2) in new and refurbished homes by 2019; and
• within the next five years, sustainably produced woodfuel has the potential to save the equivalent of approximately seven million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year by replacing fossil fuels. The report says the use of biomass for heating provides one of the most cost-effective and environmentally acceptable ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

On ensuring that forests are adapted to and can withstand the effects of climate change, the report says that forest planners will need to reconsider the current preference for using native tree species and local provenances under all circumstances. The panel said that if greenhouse gas emissions do not decline, foresters will need to consider introducing new species, including those from continental Europe, to ensure that forests are resilient to changes in the climate. It added that "further research is urgently needed to establish which species will be best suited to the changed environmental conditions".

The report also states that trees, particularly in towns and cities, have an important role in helping society to adapt to climate change by providing shelter, cooling, shade and controlling rainwater runoff. It says tree and woodland planting should be targeted to places where people live, especially the most vulnerable people, and places where people gather, such as town and local centres which currently have low tree cover.

Further information on the Read report is available at:

www.forestry.gov.uk/climatechange

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The Forestry Commission is investigating a recent outbreak of a disease affecting a number of trees on sites in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.

The disease, Phytophthora ramorum, has been present in the UK for a number of years but, to date, has been largely associated with Rhododendron ponticum. These new finds are in Japanese larch. This is the first time that conifer species have been found with stem lesions caused by proximity to rhododendron which raises the question of how they have become infected.

Scientists from the Forestry Commission’s Forest Research agency have isolated P. ramorum on these sites and are investigating further. As a priority they are now carrying out more extensive tests and research to determine if P. ramorum is the main cause of the outbreak. Apart from finding a number of Japanese larch and Western hemlock trees, some broadleaf species (beech, birch and some oaks) growing in the same area are also infected.

Roddie Burgess, head of the Forestry Commission’s Plant Health Service said:

“This new find could represent a significant step change in the susceptibility of our trees to this disease so we are very concerned about this development. With our partners in the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera), as well as scientists in our Forest Research agency, we are working extremely hard to learn as much as we can, as quickly as we can, about what’s happening. We can then consider what we need to do to manage the situation, building on the current programme of work to manage risks from this pathogen.

“It is important to stress at this time that much more research is needed to give us a full a picture and allow us to assess what the potential implications are. Once we have done that we will share our findings with local woodland owners and managers.”

Defra announced they would provide £25 million to fund a five-year programme, which started on 1 April this year, for research and development, and further disease control measures.

Further information about the disease can be found at: www.forestry.gov.uk/pramorum

Affected woodland sites include woodlands managed by the Forestry Commission as well as forests in private ownership.

Download: Guideline and Symptoms Briefing Note

Local forest and woodland managers who wish to be kept informed should contact the Forestry Commission’s South West England regional office at Mamhead Castle, Nr Exeter: Tel: 01626 890666 or E-mail: fc.sweng.cons@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

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Land areas around the world totalling more than the size of Canada have been identified as having potential to be restored to good quality, healthy forests, a new study has found.

As the global effort to help tackle climate change by reversing the Earth's alarming loss of forests steps up, scientists using sophisticated satellite mapping have produced a world map identifying areas in which more than a billion hectares of former forest land and degraded forest land has restoration potential.

That's about six per cent of the planet's total land area, and restoring forests to some of these lands could be achieved without prejudicing other vital land uses, such as food production. The Global Partnership on Forest Restoration (GPFLR) also says that the needs and rights of indigenous peoples and others who depend on forests must be respected when considering restoration projects. GPFLR will now work with individual countries and local communities to deliver restoration where communities benefit.

"With a global population already approaching seven billion, and forecast to increase to more than eight billion by 2025, the pressure on all of our natural resources is immense," says Tim Rollinson, chairman of the GPFLR and Director-General of the British Forestry Commission. "At the same time, the Earth's forests continue to shrink, and what's left is increasingly being degraded. We know how to restore forests and make them sustainable. We now also know where we should do it, so we should be getting on with it."

The findings were announced today in London, England, at an international meeting of the GPFLR, of which the IUCN and the British Forestry Commission are founding members.

The assessment has revealed that the potential to restore the world's lost forests is much greater than the previous estimate of 850 million hectares. The GPFLR partners say that forest restoration can have a significant impact on climate change as well as improving lives, and that urgent action on restoration should be taken hand in hand with efforts to stop the continuing global loss and degradation of forests.

Preliminary analysis indicates that by 2030 the restoration of degraded forest lands could make the same contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gases as that which could be expected from avoided deforestation (70 Gt of CO² emissions), and perhaps as much as twice that amount. The GPFLR will work with countries over the next year to clarify and refine these figures on a country-by-country basis.

"Forest restoration experiences around the world provide evidence that, although it is impossible to replace a pristine forest once it's gone, many of the functions it originally provided can be restored," says Stewart Maginnis, Director of the IUCN's Environment and Development Group. "Forests provide such vital services, such as clean water and fresh air, that we can win on all fronts by bringing them back to life. We need to protect the forests we have left, and restore what we've lost."

For further information about the GPFLR, visit: www.ideastransformlandscapes.org

(Issued by the Forestry Commission on behalf of the Global Partnership on Forest Landscape Restoration)

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It’s the 35^th National Tree Week - time to get out the tree planting boots, wield a spade and Grow Your Own; trees for food crops, trees for fuel sources, trees for wildlife, trees for biodiversity and, not least, trees for future generations.

The Tree Council is encouraging everyone to think about sustainability and remember, particularly, that as well as planting to harvest fruit such as apples, plums and pears, there are many trees that have edible seeds - sweet chestnuts, hazel, walnut and many others that we may not care for, but that help feed birds through the winter.

Traditional British orchards have become a nationally scarce resource over the last 50 years and Britain now imports nearly twice as many apples from abroad as are grown here. By planting a traditional apple or pear variety, in particular, you can benefit from free food for years to come and help preserve some of the wonderful native varieties that are peculiar to different parts of the UK.

“It is a tragedy that we import hundreds of thousands of tonnes of apples from abroad when we can grow better varieties, throughout Britain, even in small back gardens.” commented Pauline Buchanan-Black, Director-General of the Tree Council.

“Planting an apple tree in your own garden can provide fantastic free food for you and your family for decades ahead. With literally thousands of apple varieties to choose from, and special root-stocks to ensure they don’t outgrow the space in your garden, they are the perfect tree to plant this National Tree Week.”

There will be thousands of organised events throughout Britain this autumn to celebrate National Tree Week. They are planned by The Tree Council’s Tree Wardens, member organisations and supporters though anyone who wants to take part can also think about doing something positive by planting a tree in their own garden.

Go on – Grow Your Own!

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Southport’s newest community woodland has been unveiled at Town Lane, off Bentham’s Way.

The Forestry Commission transformed the two former landfill sites, and other neglected areas, with months of intensive reconditioning to bring it back to life and establish the new community woodland. In just four months 47,000 tonnes of sand from Rainford’s former sand extraction site north of Southport was mixed with 5,730 tonnes of peat to create soil-forming material for trees and wildflowers over the 26 hectare site. It is hoped that a new cycle track, mountain bike skills course and wildlife habitats will be created.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) gave £1.78 million to the project. Town Lane is the latest community woodland from the ‘Newlands’ partnership between the Forestry Commission and NWDA to regenerate the area’s disused landfill sites.

The FC and Liverpool Biennial commissioned the European artist and architect collective Raumlabor, to temporarily install their work Jantar Mantar at Town Lane to signal the beginning of a new life for the site. The structure, an enormous sun-dial and observatory, was originally conceived as part of their installation, the Promising Land, shown in Bootle in September.

Work on Town Lane has taken advantage of the raised ground height of the site by creating a scenic viewing platform looking out across the West Pennine Moors, Southport Mosses and Blackpool Tower.

In the future, local residents and schools from the site's large neighbouring communities will also get the chance to see their ideas incorporated into further developments at Town Lane, with an emphasis on improving recreational facilities.

The NWDA is providing resources to keep Town Lane maintained for the next 20 years and the Forestry Commission will manage the woodland it creates through the project for a further 79 years, making a secure period of nearly 100 years of management for the area’s green space.

A number of local delivery partners, including Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, Mersey Basin Campaign, Environment Agency, The Mersey Forest, BTCV and Groundwork Merseyside are also involved in the project and over £300,000 of additional funding has been secured from European Union Objective One Programme via The Mersey Forest Trust.

Town Lane is one of six Newlands projects being developed in the Mersey Belt area of Northwest England.

Pictured: Graeme Prest, Lord Clark (Forestry Commission), Laurie Peake (Liverpool Biennial), Tim Oliver MICFor(Forestry Commission) in front of Raumlabor's Janatar Mantar

More information at www.newlandsproject.co.uk or www.forestry.gov.uk/newlands

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The stumps of 10 rainforest trees, complete with their roots, have been placed around Trafalgar Square to highlight the issue of deforestation.

Laser beams will mark the height the trees would have reached in the wild in comparison to Nelson's Column.

The legally logged trees will highlight deforestation in countries like their native Ghana which has lost 90% of its rainforest in the past 50 years.

Ghost Forest, by Oxford artist Angela Palmer, will remain there until Friday.

The installation went up at the central London location in the early hours of Monday morning.

Source: BBC News - Read More

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Environment ministers made progress on Tuesday (17 November) towards a scaled-down climate deal in Copenhagen next month, with Washington under pressure to promise to make deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.

Read Full Story

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An ancient North Yorkshire landscape is going back to its watery roots in a bid to explore more eco-friendly ways of alleviating severe flooding.

A groundbreaking project by the Forestry Commission and the Environment Agency is underway at 340 hectare (850 acre) Bishop Wood, near Cawood, to dam drainage ditches, allowing rain water to be retained for longer in the wood rather than quickly flowing downstream into the Selby Dam, a tributary of the River Ouse. The initiative is being backed by £25,000 from the National Grid.

Bishop Wood is the largest wooded area in the Humberhead Levels, just a few metres above sea level, and is also an ancient woodland site, meaning that it dates back at least to the 1600s when the first reliable maps were produced.

Once part of a huge hunting estate owned by the Archbishop of York, it is now managed by the Forestry Commission on a lease from the Church Commissioners.

Historically, Bishop Wood would have been much wetter than it is today. But in the 20th century large areas were planted with pines as part of a national push to shore up the nation’s depleted timber reserves. That meant that more drainage ditches were cut to drain the land.

Now experts are taking a leaf out of the history books to turn back the clock. Around two miles of dykes are being excavated to increase their storage capacity and then dammed. During heavy downpours these channels will fill with water, eventually overspilling into selected areas, covering up to 30 acres of the wood.

Brian Walker, Forestry Commission Wildlife Officer, said:

“This is the first time in Yorkshire that we have tried anything quite like this and although it’s a relatively small scale experiment, it could have far wider implications for other flood prone areas. We are not flooding the wood, but rather reverting back to a pattern of seasonal wetness. There are also extremely good ecological reasons for re-wetting the wood. It will boost biodiversity and over time more oak and alder will take root, both classical wet woodland species.”

Public access to the popular wood will be maintained as many trails and paths are already on higher ground. Others will be diverted. Work to dam the drainage ditches will take six weeks.

Photo: Brian Walker, Forestry Commission Wildlife Officer, and Jeff Pacey, Ouse catchment manager for the Environment Agency. Courtesy Tony Bartholomew

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Today Defra unveils its third Sustainable Development Action Plan (SDAP). This sets out what Defra will be doing over the next eighteen months to help all of us, both in the UK and further afield, live and prosper in a healthy environment.

Priorities for this plan include how to sustainably increase global agricultural production, making the Olympics greener and ensuring maximum benefit to society now and in future, and developing Defra’s first Departmental climate change plan to reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts.

Hilary Benn said:

“The challenges facing the world in the twenty-first century, from reducing pollution to protecting biodiversity to feeding a growing global population, require each and every one of us to act. This plan has ideas that will help meet these challenges.”

Today Defra unveils its third Sustainable Development Action Plan (SDAP). This sets out what Defra will be doing over the next eighteen months to help all of us, both in the UK and further afield, live and prosper in a healthy environment.

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Galloway Forest Park is now officially the first Dark Sky Park in the United Kingdom.

The prestigious award, announced by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA), confirms Galloway as being one of the best places for stargazing in the world.

To achieve the award, Forestry Commission Scotland has worked hard with the local Wigtownshire Astronomical Society, lighting experts and the surrounding community to ensure Galloway's skies remain pitch black - the best condition for viewing distant galaxies.

Welcoming the announcement, Scottish Government Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said:

"Understandably, all those involved in this innovative project are over the moon and I'm thrilled for them and for Scotland. The interest in this initiative has been world-wide. The award is great news for putting Galloway Forest Park firmly in the spotlight and for attracting more tourists to the area."

The award marks the culmination of efforts to celebrate the International Year of Astronomy 2009.

Work on achieving Dark Sky Park status began back in September 2008, with a formal application being submitted to the IDA six weeks ago. The final awards were decided at the Association's AGM being held in Phoenix, Arizona, over the weekend. Martin Morgan-Taylor, UK board member for the International Dark Sky Association said:

"Galloway Forest Park is a fantastic asset in the now international network of Dark Sky Parks. A core aim in creating such a park is to identify and honour protected public lands with exceptional commitment to, and success in implementing, the ideals of dark sky restoration and preservation.

"Galloway has shown exceptional commitment here in the UK, and the team deserves the highest commendation and recognition.

"Its location is ideally situated for access from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast and northern England meaning that many people, including children, may have access to a quality night sky, both now and in generations to come. Such skies are rapidly disappearing and less than 10% of people in the UK can now see the Milky Way from where they live."

Part of the selection process involved giving a rating via a sky quality meter, which measures the darkness of the sky overhead. The higher the sky quality meter reading the better, with the darkest reading, such as would be recorded in a photographer's dark room, of 24. In major cities like Glasgow or Edinburgh, a likely reading would be around 15 or 16 on the scale. Galloway Forest Park was rated 23 on the scale, giving it a gold tier Dark Sky Park award status - the highest achievable

Keith Muir, Forestry Commission Scotland's head of Tourism and Recreation in Galloway has been involved in the project from the very beginning.

Ecstatic with the award he said, "We have boldly gone where no-one in the UK has gone before!"

"I'm so pleased that everyone's support and hard work has paid off. The award is a massive feather in Galloway's cap."

He added: "Tourism is the single largest economic development opportunity for South West Scotland. Currently, the Galloway Forest Park welcomes around 850,000 visitors each year and we have big plans to double this over time. This award, the first of its kind in the United Kingdom, should be seen as a universal achievement."

Until now, there have been only three other Dark Sky Parks in the world

- the Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah, the Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania and the Geauga Park in Ohio - and Galloway Forest Park has now been added to that prestigious list.

Galloway Forest Park is the largest of its kind in the United Kingdom.

Hidden away in the South West of Scotland, it was established in 1947.

The forest park covers 300 square miles (185,329 acres), that's about six times the size of Glasgow, and is managed by Forestry Commission Scotland.

With limited numbers of buildings within the forest park's boundary, light pollution can be kept to a minimum. This in turn helps make Galloway Dark Sky Park the most amazing astronomical place to visit.

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During a visit to Ditchling, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn today signed the Order to confirm the South Downs as England’s ninth National Park.

The new 632 square mile protected area, home to an estimated 120,000 people, will stretch from Beachy Head in East Sussex to the edge of Winchester in Hampshire. The new National Park will also include the Alice Holt site in East Hampshire as well as Green Ridge in Brighton.

Confirming the South Downs as the latest National Park Hilary Benn said:

“At the end of the 60th anniversary year of our National Parks, I am delighted to officially confirm that the South Downs is now our newest National Park.

“The unique chalk downlands and heavy weald clay landscapes which make up this wonderful countryside will now be protected for everyone to enjoy. National Park status will attract new visitors to the South Downs and bring investment into the local area.”

Tom Franklin, Chief Executive Officer of the Ramblers Association said:

“The government should be congratulated for providing such a great gift to the nation. National Parks are a huge walking asset, offering myriad walking opportunities. The South Downs is on the doorstep of millions of people and this decision will safeguard it for future generations. It is a welcome addition to the National Park family.”

ICF Fellow Huw Davies, Head of Programme Management for Natural England, is currently on secondment to the South Downs National Park Authority Establishment Team who expect the new South Downs National Park Authority to be established by April 2010 and become fully operational a year later.

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“Forestry and wood-using businesses comprise one of the few sectors that can deliver a low carbon economy in Northern Ireland, delivering both carbon reductions and economic growth”, said Lord Hamilton, chair of ConFor in Northern Ireland. “It is vital that the Forestry Bill, currently being considered by the Assembly, helps these businesses achieve their potential.”

The Agriculture and Rural Development Committee of the Assembly is currently considering a draft Forestry Bill, and ConFor has submitted evidence on behalf of NI’s forestry and wood-using businesses.

ConFor’s contribution expresses support for the aim of encouraging the sustainable management of NI’s woodlands, but outlines a number of improvements to the Bill. These include:

• Incorporating specific reference to the aim of achieving a doubling of woodland area and providing security of wood supply for NI’s low carbon, wood-using businesses;
• Ensuring that the introduction of a licensing system for felling trees does not undermine the sustainable management of woodland. In particular woodland owners, like their counterparts in other parts of the UK and in the Republic, should not pay for a licence;
• There should be limits to any power of compulsory purchase, and other avenues should be explored first.

“Planting trees sequesters carbon and sustainably managed woodlands provide renewable supplies of wood for important, often rural businesses”, said Lord Hamilton. “It is vital that the Forestry Bill recognises the need for, and benefit from, working with private woodland owners and wood-using businesses to grow the sector in Northern Ireland”.

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The Scottish Regional Development Programme has issued the following message:

"Please note that the intention is to begin to pay annual recurrent claims for Rural Priorities in early 2010, as soon as possible after the end of the scheme year. This in line with arrangements for previous agri-environment schemes, where such payments were also made after the end of the scheme year.

The different date of payment is down to the scheme year for Rural Priorities being different, i.e. January to December rather than September to August which was the case with RSS.

The timing is also informed by the need to comply with European requirements for all inspections for land-based activities be carried out before payments can be made.

Once the inspections have been completed, we must prioritise work to be carried out at a busy time of year, with processing of Single Farm Payments taking precedence.

We are aware that guidance has previously referred to earlier dates for annual recurrent payments. This was erroneous and should have been corrected as soon the error was recognised. We apologise for any confusion and inconvenience caused by this oversight.

"We will of course make every effort to ensure payments are made as soon as possible."

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