Grants and Support for Forest Owners

There are many sources of information regarding UK Forestry:

  • The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible for protecting and expanding all of the nation’s forests and woodlands. Their website contains a range of resources and also acts as the UK’s main depository for forestry research and statistics.
  • The government’s ‘Strategy for England’s Trees, Woods and Forests (ETWF)’ is the 2007 successor to The England Forestry Strategy, and can be found on DEFRA’s website.
  • For general information on possible grants, the Forestry Commission is a good starting point but our Forestry Managers will provide specific advice relating to your particular woodland.

England

The latest revision of the English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS) which operates under the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) was agreed by the European Commission early in 2008.The stated aims of the scheme are to ‘sustain and create public benefits’ and to ‘invest in the creation of new woodlands’. There is a suite of grants which are heavily weighted in favour of native broadleaf forestry, although there are limited grants to assist re-stocking with conifers on secondary woodland sites only.

Scotland

Rural Development Contracts have been introduced throughout Scotland as part of the new Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) for 2007-2013. These provide amongst other things, restructuring grants which can contribute towards the cost of re-stocking forests following harvesting.

Wales

The Forestry Commission Wales (FWC) continues to offer the Better Woodlands for Wales grant scheme. The new scheme places greater emphasis on good quality woodland management and offers grants specially designed for Welsh woodlands including planting, restocking and woodland improvement.


Grant aid is now based upon an approved Long Term Management Plan. This plan must meet the minimum standards under the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme. Fountains has specially trained and FCW approved management planners can prepare a management plan and submit an application on your behalf.


Natural England is an independent public body whose purpose is to ‘protect and improve England’s natural environment and encourage people to enjoy and get involved in their surroundings.’ They offer a range of advice and suggestions for sustainable forestry management, as well as a comprehensive list of funding opportunities.


For concerns over possible Tree Pests and Diseases, the Forestry Research division of the Forestry Commission carries a regularly updated list of known threats. For further information visit the Commission’s website (www.forestry.gov.uk) and search ‘Tree Pest and Disease Alerts’. If you have a concern about your own crop, please contact your Forestry Manager.

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