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Trees, Woods and Forests

Home : Trees, Woods and Forests

Woodland Biodiversity

 

Woodlands with their diverse habitats support a wide range of species, some of which are national priorities for protection. The West Midlands supports important areas of woodlands, wood pastures and ancient trees .

 

A Delivery Plan for Englands Trees, Woods & Forests

This was published on 15^th December 2008.  It is a comprehensive plan turning the Strategy into actions in the ground.  The ETWF Delivery Plan is available for download at: www.forestry.gov.uk/etwf.  The Forestry Commission and Natural England at both national and regional levels have worked closely together to develop this plan and it will help to guide activity over the coming years. The WMBP established the ‘Trees Woods & Forests Biodiversity’ sub-group in association with the regional Woodland and Forestry Forum.

 

The West Midlands Regional Forestry Framework’s Enhancing Biodiversity Theme 9 and the West Midlands Biodiversity Strategy endorse the desire to increase biodiversity, protect and enhance ancient semi-natural woodland, manage current woods and restore the ecological value of planted ancient woodland sites. These issues are also key to the Regional Spatial Strategy and local Biodiversity Action Plans requiring resources for effective and co-ordinated delivery.

 

Trees Woods & Forests Biodiversity’ sub-group

Purpose of group:

• To develop, promote and guide biodiversity activity for trees, woodlands and forests across the region on behalf of the both the Biodiversity Partnership and the Woodland and Forestry Forum.
• To assist with the delivery of both the Regional Biodiversity Strategy (RBS) and the Regional Forestry Framework (RFF).

Further information about the group and the minutes of the meetings can be found at: http://www.growingourfuture.org/wmwff/taskgroups/biodiv.htm

The West Midlands Regional Forestry Framework (RFF) was launched in October 2004 and set out the region’s vision for woodland and forestry over the next 10-20 years. Delivery Plans to guide implementation of the RFF have since been developed and comprise 11 themes under which activity is promoted. One of these themes is Enhancing Biodiversity and this has considerable synergies with the Regional Biodiversity Strategy (RBS) which was launched in May 2005.

The Task Group for Trees, Woods and Forest Biodiversity has now been set up as a joint group with the Woodland and Forestry Forum. This incorporates the previously proposed Woodland and Forestry Forum Ancient & Native Woodland Task Group

Ways of working

• The group draws from the public, private and voluntary sectors in recognition of their expertise in achieving the aims of the group.
• There will be a number of meetings throughout the year held by member preference and work programme.
• The group will report to both the West Midlands Biodiversity Partnership and the Woodland & Forestry Forum.
• The list of tasks will be reviewed as each task is completed and completely reviewed annually.

Main tasks:

The key tasks were agreed at the first meeting by reviewing the habitat targets and the Challenges (outlined above) within the sectoral approach of the RBS and the actions outlined under Theme 9 within the RFF Delivery Plan. These are recorded in the Task Group Minutes and Action Schedule.