Alun Michael addresses Community
Woodland Network Groups at Woodland Trust Westminster reception.
Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael MP praised Community Woodland Network
groups throughout England for their “valuable contribution to sustainable
development.”
In a speech to 60 woodland groups who were represented at a Westminster
reception earlier in December, Alun Michael said: “The Community Woodland
Network is providing a much-needed means to help people who are interested
in woodlands, which makes such a valuable contribution to sustainable
development and the Government's vision for urban and rural regeneration.
The Trust has a unique record in working with local people to create and
manage woodlands. The Community Woodland Network is a real asset which
enables the sharing of information and experience between local woodland
groups."
Community Woodland Groups from Hertfordhire included Friends of Batchwood,
Hardings Wood Trust, Manor Wood Conservation Volunteers and the Friends of
Phillipshill Wood. Jill Arnold, Friends of Batchwood said: “Being part of
the Community Woodland Network allows us to share our problems and successes
and to make friends with people in neighbouring groups who have similar
interests. Thanks to a Woodland Trust grant we have been able to train our
volunteers and buy much needed tools. The Westminster reception has given us
a real boost for the new year which is good news for Hertfordshire.”
Voluntary woodland groups care for and maintain many important woodland
sites which range from mature woodlands to newly created sites. In the past
many of these groups worked in isolation but they are now able to share
information and network with each other more easily.
The Community Woodland Network has also launched this information and
interactive website, provided grants to over 30 woodland groups, set up an
email and telephone helpline, produced fact sheets on woodland ownership and
management, and hosted a national conference for over 150 delegates.
The Community Woodland Network has been made possible with generous funding
from DEFRA, Restore UK and Esmeée Fairbairurn Foundation Charitable Trust.
For media enquiries contact:
The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121,
e-mail media@woodland-trust.org.uk
Notes to editors:
High quality image of Alun Michael MP addressing the Community Woodland
Network available by clicking
here
The Woodland Trust:
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has
250,000 members and supporters. The Trust has four key aims:
- No further loss of ancient woodland;
- Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods;
- Increasing new native woodland;
- Increasing people’s awareness and enjoyment of woodland.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,100 sites in its
care covering approximately 18,000 hectares (45,000 acres). It offers free
public access to nearly all of its sites. Further news can be accessed by
clicking here
|
News item - December 2003
Rural Affairs Minister
Alun Michael MP
|
