Grants available to help create your own woodland

COMMUNITIES across Cheshire are being offered funding from a £170,000 pot to manage and own their local woods.
The new pilot launched by the Woodland Trust is an attempt to increase the level of woodland currently in community ownership, building on the work of existing organisations in the region.
Start-up grants of £500 are on offer to new groups looking to form with established groups looking to take on some form of woodland ownership being eligible to apply for a grant of up to £10,000.
The charity will also hold a number of training events to help communities build management and engagement skills and has launched a website which provides information and resources for anyone to find out how to set up a group to help manage or acquire an area of woodland.
One local group which has been established for four years is the Friends of Spud Wood at Lymm.
It was established to help maintain the wood, planted by the local community and create a sustainable source of woodfuel. The group now has over 30 regulars and has even piloted a woodland allotment.
Jo Yellen from Friends of Spud Wood, said: “As there wasn’t a group originally, with the support of the Woodland Trust, we began gradually to create one. Though initially hesitant we have created a small, but active group. It’s very rewarding to be out working with the group and to see what our combined energy can do.”
Beccy Speight, Woodland Trust chief executive, said:  “Trees and woods have so many benefits for society but we’re becoming increasingly disconnected from the natural world. By providing resources and funding we can try and halt this worrying trend, helping people in Cheshire who are passionate about their local woods take an active role in the care and management of them.”