Need
The majority of woodlands in Britain are under-managed. This lack of management is partly the cause of declining biodiversity and threatens our landscape heritage. Timber if Britain's sixth largest import, with one million tonnes of hardwoods imported every year. Yet, locally-produced timber would deliver many benefits. There is no existing resource assessment of our woodlands and no means to easily connect with owners.
Solution
If we could connect Britain's woodland owners to the wood users, and support them in managing and marketing, then there would be economic, environmental and social benefits. These are the aims of the myForest Service.
Aims
Assist woodland owners to map their woodlands and complete a resource assessment
Activities
» Provide an innovative suite of online mapping tools.
» Provide a straightforward woodland inventory tool.
Measure the uptake of the service by woodland owners and their agents. In the first sixth months since its launch (April 10) 5000 hectares had been signed up.
Support the management of woodlands according the UKWAS standards
Activities
» Link the resource assessment with the regulatory framework (e. G. Government grants)
» Encourage the development of long-term woodland management plans
Number of woodlands with management plans
Assist the local marketing of wood products
Activities
» Provide a suite of online marketing tools for woodland owners
» Support an online business directory and webmap
Number of products being marketed. Number of businesses on the online directory.
Impact
Bringing the majority of woodlands under sustainable forest management. Reducing woodmiles and the reliance on timber imports. Increasing the availability of wood products (e. G. Timber, bioenergy) for local markets.
Risk
Lack of uptake. Developed core partnerships with key bodies: nationally, regionally and locally. Built the project from the bottom up with full stakeholder engagement.
Reporting
Quarterly reports. Full access to online reporting dashboard.
Budget - Project Cost: £240,000
| |
Amount |
Heading |
Description |
| |
£165,000 |
Salaries |
Three years (2 FTE) |
| |
£75,000 |
Project costs |
Three years (web dev, comms and research) |
Location
UK-wide
Beneficiaries
Bringing woodlands into management will enhance biodiversity and secure our landscape heritage. Rural economies will be strengthened. Wood products for construction, bioenergy and other wood uers will be available locally : reducing wood miles and timber import needs.
Why Us?
The Sylva Foundation has developed myForest as an innovative and unique service. It has the support of a growing number of key players in the forestry and environmental sectors in the UK.
Read more about the Charity running this project.
People
Alistair Yeomans - Director Of Forestry, Sylva Foundation
Project Manager.
