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TT: UK Community Forests
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The following UK gov PR may be of interest...
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COUNTRYSIDE COMMISSION
Press Release no: 97/53 4 November 1997
COMMUNITY FORESTS OPEN NEW GATES FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE
Even at this early stage in their development, England's Community
Forests have already met an important goal in their drive to create
new opportunities for millions of people to enjoy wooded countryside
near the built-up areas where they live.
In a yearly progress meeting with the Environment Minister Angela
Eagle and Forestry Minister Elliot Morley today (4 November),
Countryside Commission Chairman Richard Simmonds and Forestry
Commission Chairman Sir Peter Hutchison reported that new access for
the public had been created in 2700 hectares of woodland. Nearly 25
kms of paths have been restored, upgraded or created.
This means that local communities now have better access and
recreation facilities in 5,500 hectares of new Community Forest
woodland since the initiation of the Community Forest Programme. The
target was to achieve this in over 4,245 hectares by the year 2000.
In presenting the report to ministers, the chairmen of the two
commissions said it showed how Community Forests were going from
strength to strength and delivering real benefits to local people.
The Community Forests project is an ambitious programme, initiated by
the Countryside Commission and the Forestry Commission, to create 12
vibrant new landscapes around England's major towns and cities.
Together the Community Forests cover an area 12 times the size of the
Isle of Wight and 24 million people live in or near them - over half
the country's population.
Other achievements during 1996/97 include planting over 1,000
hectares of new woodland. An additional 1,000 hectares of existing
woodland were also brought into management in Community Forests.
This means about half the woods in the Community Forests are now
being actively managed. There was also a 60 per cent increase in the
length of hedgerow created or brought into management.
The new planting ranges from large-scale commercial timber
plantations to small sites for nature conservation and education in
school grounds. The number of schools carrying out projects in the
Community Forests has increased. This rising interest and support is
reflected in the fact that planting in school grounds doubled to 42
hectares from the previous year's total.
Already a total of five times more trees have been planted in the 12
Community Forest areas than occurred there before the programme
started.
Recent research has shown that some landowners in the urban fringe
are reluctant to commit land to long-term forestry schemes when the
value could rise in response to the demand for an estimated 4.4
million new homes. How to overcome the problem was discussed at the
progress meeting.
Community Forests are jointly funded by the Countryside Commission
and local authorities to the tune of #1.7m, with additional support
from the Forestry Commission. However, in addition to this and other
public sector grants, support from private companies, European
funding, and voluntary action, play a vital part and there is an
urgent need to develop additional sources.
There was a 20 per cent increase in the amount of other, non-wooded
habitat created for wildlife-one of the Community Forest objectives.
At least 250 hectares were created during the year: figures are
incomplete as habitat created with cash from the Countryside
stewardship scheme, administered by MAFF, are not yet available.
Another important objective is to tackle the challenge of
transforming derelict land. Over 350 hectares were reclaimed in
Community Forests during the year. This included some large schemes
which will substantially improve the appearance of the local areas.
This brings the total of derelict land reclaimed since 1991 to 750
hectares.
ENDS
Issued by the Commission's press officer, John Rennie.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. The Countryside Commission is the Government's countryside and
landscape adviser. It aims to make sure that the English countryside
prospers and is protected and that it can be used and enjoyed now and
in the future. The Community Forest initiative is led by the
Countryside Commission and the Forestry Commission, in partnership
with 58 local authorities, landowners, farmers, local communities,
private and voluntary sector groups. .
2. The 12 Community Forests are:
Cleveland Community Forest
Marston Vale Community Forest
Forest of Avon
The Mersey Forest
Forest of Mercia
Red Rose Community Forest
Great North Forest
South Yorkshire Forest
Great Western Community Forest
Thames Chase Community Forest
The Greenwood Community Forest
Watling Chase Community Forest
Each of the 12 Community Forest's project teams prepared a
strategic plan, based on thorough research and extensive public
consultation and including a vision for each forest. They were
submitted to Government between 1993 and 1995 and approval for all 12
Community Forests to proceed to implementation was received by March
1995.
The programme aims to increase the amount of amount of woodland
cover in Community Forests from an average of 6.5 per cent (below the
national average of 7.3 per cent) to about 30 per cent. These new
woodlands bring with them increased opportunities for work,
recreation and education and improve the settings for development.
3. The Commission also has its own web site at
http://www.countryside.gov.uk
4. The Countryside Commission's HQ has ISDN and broadcast quality
interviews can be arranged.
# = pounds sterling
***************** Geraint Jennings *******************
Artist, Teacher, Green, and general all-round good egg
geraint@itl.net
************* http://user.itl.net/~geraint/ *************
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