Woodland Improvements

[Rosemary]

PEOPLE in Cumbria are being offered another chance to apply for grants totalling £120,000 to help make the region even greener, thanks to a Forestry Commission grant scheme boost.

The Woodland Improvement Grant Scheme (WIG) aims to provide landowners with support for improving public access and biodiversity. Projects include work that benefits the environment and the creation of new places for people to enjoy healthy exercise.

However, time is running out, as the deadline for applications is Friday, February 29, 2008.

Peter Fox, Woodland Officer, for the Forestry Commission, says: “The Woodland Improvement Grants enable people to open the site up to the public and manage the sensitive restoration of ancient and native woodland.
Some forests have difficult access and other sensitive constraints such as archaeology or rare ground flora so turning to horses to remove the felled timber is a good solution to the problems.

Mr Lenihan and his team are among of the few remaining full time horse loggers remaining in Britain.

What a great idea, although it’s a shame that money has to be used as a carrot. Still, as long as the restoration is done, that’s the main thing.

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[Overread]

The only part I don't like about the scheme is

“This essential work not only improves access and social benefits for local people, but attracts a wide variety of wildlife.”

Public access and wildlife don't go hand in hand - unless your a pidgeon or a rat. Though restoration of the wildlands - - well my view is that you leave the wilds to manage the wilds - they have done it for mellenia without our help.
This is not to say that I do not in part support such ventures, but I find them openly deceptive in their messages they send to the public

 

[ice.monkey]

I disagree with you Overread. People and wildlife can go hand in hand. They have for centuries. It's true that humans have damaged, killed and generally been nasty to wildlife but there are also countless examples of humans helping, supporting and nurturing life. It's a case of getting the balance right.

There's nothing wrong with permitting access for the public to these areas and the wildlife will flourish despite it. Hell, if animals can adapt to live within our towns and cities, a few humans wandering through their patch in their natural habitat isn't going to stop them.

 

[Pyan]

Considering that the Forestry Commission is responsible for creating some of the most gloomy, sterile and wildlife-free tracts of the Lake District, complete with ruler-straight, wire-fenced boundaries cutting straight across natural contours, this is either good news, or a bit of a bloody cheek, if you ask me.....

Example..this is Whinlatter Forest, in the NW of the Lakes....just look at those corners!

 

[Delvo]

What kinds of wildlife are we talking about here?