Restoring diversity and recreation opportunities to England’s Kielder Forest
An increased diversity of wildlife in the UK’s largest man-made forest is attracting visitors in growing numbers and reconnecting them with nature.
The Forestry Commission was created in the wake of the First World War to return large areas of bare land across the UK to forest and provide a reliable supply of timber. A vast, regimented reforestation programme followed which, while successful in terms of timber production, offered little in terms of diversity or interest. Over the past 20 years, this has changed, with forests undergoing transformation into multipurpose landscapes.
In Kielder Forest, in northernmost England, native tree species have returned along with bogs and ponds, footpaths and open areas. Today, half a million people visit the forest each year to walk, cycle, ride horses and enjoy the area’s scenery and wildlife.
Loch Katrine, Scotland
In the Loch Katrine area of central Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland is developing plans to restore close to 10,000 hectares of rare native forest and associated habitats. Benefits will include improved water quality and a secure water supply for Glasgow, increased nature conservation and greater economic and tourism opportunities. The other partners included in the project are the Scottish Water agency, local communities, the Scottish Forest Alliance (comprised of Britisch Petroleum, RSPB Scotland, Woodland Trust Scotland) and others.
Consultations with local communities and neighbouring landowners are helping to create better opportunities for the development of forest landscape restoration on a bigger scale. Activities will include planting of new native woodland, natural regeneration, removal of exotic conifers, agricultural and deer grazing, enhancement of the network of trails, as well as an interpretation strategy for visitors.
BP (through the Scottish Forest Alliance) has commited £10 million in 2000 to assist with the financing of native forest restoration in Scotland over the next ten years. This is part of an effort to reverse centuries of deforestation and combined with the work of neighbouring estates will create the largest native broadleaved woodland in Scotland since the middle ages.
Public support and engagement for restoring the Lake District of England
In the UK’s Lake District National Park, public involvement is central to the return to the wild of one of the Park’s outstanding features. Having borne the marks of farming and industrial forestry for centuries, Ennerdale, the Park’s most westerly valley, is experiencing a shift towards more sensitive management, with natural processes being allowed to play a fuller part in shaping the landscape and ecology.
The main landowners – the Forestry Commission of Great Britain, The National Trust and United Utilities – are involving local people in the development process to encourage a sense of ownership of the valley and create opportunities for recreation, learning, exploration and sustainable enterprise. Native broadleaves and juniper are being planted to broaden the range of trees in the forests. Timber operations are being reduced, sheep grazing is under control and cattle are being reintroduced to the woodland, Through their own involvement in the restoration, the communities of West Cumbria are discovering the physical and psychological benefits of the landscape on their doorstep.
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Contact
For more information, please contact
Graham Gill, Forest District Manager, Forest Enterprise, graham.gill@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Gordon Patterson, Forestry Commission of Great Britain, Gordon.patterson@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.forestry.gov.uk
Loch Katrine. Forest Commision Picture Library, Crown Copyright. Isobel Cameron, photographer.