Policy Exchange - NEWP 1 year on

Just been watching the embedded video of the Policy Exchange event held in London last night, looking at what has been going in on England following the publication of the Natural Environment White Paper and Rio 20+.  Caroline Spelman in attendance as key speaker, along with Chair of Natural Capital Committee.

Much generic polemic, but a good way of catching up none the less, with some interesting questions posed by the audience.

Announced Natural Connection project awarded to Plymouth University - outdoor learning including within woodland settings. Well done Sue!

And GDP plus emphasised which can't be bad, with some pragmatic economic approaches. Heyho ... recycling linked to core of sustainable growth .... yawn ....

Cultural values and others not so utilitarian largely ignored in this forum.  BUT mention the Independent Panel Report on woodlands in England to emphasise the significance of cultural services.

Sure that's Pam Warhurst sat in the front row of the audience??

Toilet humour

I had an interesting letter arrive in my work in tray recently.  It had me in stitches for at least 10 minutes.  There was a note and leaflet.  The note advised me I might be interested in the products advertised on the leaflet because of all the work I do with woodland communities and people in remote wooded areas ....   http://www.natsol.co.uk/   .......

I didn't laugh at this one, my favourite (and cheaper model) visited this year.  This was constructed by/with/for volunteers.

Social media and forestry

I've been busy with colleagues researching the use of social media in forestry.  It's been confusing.  Here's the simple explanation.

Neroche success

I was happy to hear that the Neroche Partnership working in the Blackdown Hills gained recognition for their efforts linking landowners and communities to the historic woodland landscape, through their achievement of a Royal Forestry Society, Community Forestry Award.  I've visited this area to see what has been going on and look forward to finding out more about the new initiatives coming forward from the team.

Volunteer survey of orchards - PTES

My  interest in local orchards was fired up a couple of years ago because of the community orchard "movement" which is gaining a head of steam (my local group is Conwy Orchard), as well as the whole idea of urban harvests and the use of garden fruit trees as a source of foraged food for groups in the local community (see Leeds UH as an example).  Community orchards are proving to be an important means of conserving traditional varieties of fruit, as well as opening up greenspace access to local people. Not withstanding all the cultural ecosystem services supplied, I'm not sure just how much a traditional orchard could be considered a "social forest" outside these kinds of initiatives as the majority of orchards remain in single owner hands, but thought I would just mention that I am about to embark on a survey of traditional orchards as a volunteer for the People's Trust for Endangered Species. They were recruiting volunteers earlier this year, and my survey pack arrived in the post over the weekend.  I have been assigned more than 20 sites to visit, describe and assess for Noble chafer habitat.  Wish me a little less rain .... the midges in this part of the world have been vicious this year.

Just getting started ............

Right then, here we go blogging on the subject of social forestry.  And boy what alot there is going on in the UK and beyond.  These are exciting times for this area of forest governance!

This is a personal blog with news and views that will hopefully provide relevant and insightful information for a range of interested people.