A new project to help landowners create vital new woodland
and unlock the economic benefits of forestry has been
launched in Cumbria’s ‘forgotten lands’.
The government’s Tree Champion Sir William Worsley today
visited forestry project Snowdon Close in the area to
launch the pilot Forestry Investment Zone.
With Cumbria’s ‘forgotten lands’ not traditionally seen as
ripe for tree planting, the government will trial a new
approach and work to encourage investment in the zone
through measures such as the existing Countryside
Stewardship and Woodland Carbon Fund grant schemes. A
Forestry Investment Zone officer will also offer tailored
support to businesses.
Government will also work with the forestry and timber
processing industry to accelerate planting as new
approaches to rural funding and payment for public goods
are developed.
The pilot launch comes during Green GB Week, an annual week
dedicated to highlighting the opportunities clean growth
offers the UK - and raise understanding of how business and
the public can contribute to tackling climate change.
Forestry Minister said:
Planting more trees is central to our ambition to be the
first generation to leave the environment in a better
state than we found it.
This innovative new pilot project will not only help
landowners realise the benefits of woodland creation, but
also drive forward our commitment to plant 11 million
trees.
The Cumbria pilot is the first of its kind, with the
‘forgotten lands’ being the perfect place to establish
large-scale forestry projects in order to bring economic
and environmental benefits to the area. The project will
focus on productive forestry, landscape enhancement,
farming and local employment.
During his visit to the north east, Tree Champion Sir
William Worsley said:
It is wonderful to be in Cumbria today to see this
exciting new pilot kick off and to witness what will
hopefully be the beginning of widespread investment in
the forestry sector.
By making it easier for this area to be used for woodland
creation we are not only helping the environment, but
also giving the region a valuable economic boost.
The Cumbria Forestry Investment Zone pilot is scheduled to
run for two years, and will be used as a test-case for
rolling out the initiative more widely around the country.
