Climate change blog - celebrating success: local authorities and woodland creation
In this month’s climate change blog, Steve Beddows, External Learning Project Officer with the Forestry Commission explores the work achieved by the Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund so far and reflects on the successes of the recent Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund conference.
The £10 million Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund (WCAF) was launched in 2022 aiming to enable local authorities to recruit the right people to plant the right tree in the right place. The Fund, delivered by the Forestry Commission in partnership with DEFRA and promoted by ADEPT, is providing local authorities with financial support to boost capacity and resource, helping local authorities to employ, train up and bring on board professional expertise to drive tree planting and woodland creation commitments.
The WCAF supports local authorities in helping to tackle the two biggest environmental issues facing society – addressing climate change and reversing the decline in biodiversity. The experiences of the LAs involved have already included early success stories, exemplary collaboration and information sharing.
To support the initiative and ensure a greater degree of project success, the Forestry Commission and ADEPT have delivered a series of knowledge exchange webinars, covering a wide range of topics including:
- UK Forestry Standard (UKFS).
- Technical aspects of tree planting.
- Forestry England Partnership schemes.
- Long term maintenance.
- Examples of local authority best practice and successes.
These webinars have played a crucial role in equipping the new WCAF recruits with the skills and know-how needed to successfully implement their woodland creation projects. In addition to this, DEFRA funded an online forum, where local authorities can ask questions related to the scheme and stay up to date with training offers, grants and news.
In a positive and forward thinking step, DEFRA agreed to add non WCAF local authorities to the forum. This means that between the Forestry Commission, ADEPT and DEFRA we can reach more local authorities in one place than ever before, allowing even greater connection and collaboration.
WCAF Conference
The 3rd of July 2024 marked a significant milestone in the Forestry Commission’s ongoing journey with the Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund (WCAF) local authorities - The Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund Conference.
The conference which was supported by ADEPT, was a celebration of achievements and a valuable opportunity to share information and insights. ADEPT's pivotal role in WCAF project management, facilitation and delivery was evident throughout the event. The conference brought together 100 participants, including representatives from 47 local authorities, for the first time, showcasing ADEPT's crucial contribution to fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing across local authorities. It was a testament to the collective effort and dedication of all those involved.
ADEPT President Ann Carruthers opened the proceedings with a speech that captured the enthusiasm around the scheme and was followed by talks from Forestry Commission staff and case studies presented by local authorities, sharing their experiences.
These presentations provided an opportunity to explore the successes and challenges faced by different regions, highlighting the diversity of approaches and solutions that have been implemented.
Overcoming challenges with solutions
For many of those attending, a highlight of the conference were the interactive, solution-focused breakout sessions. 100 participants in 8 groups with 1500 Post-It notes, all engaged in discussions aimed at uncovering how different local authorities have navigated obstacles to woodland creation. This collaborative approach allowed attendees to brainstorm and share creative solutions and problem-solving strategies, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.
It was exciting to see local authorities from different areas of England sharing how they overcame a diverse range of woodland creation challenges, creating new and dynamic support networks. Seb Tighe, Sandra Squires and Richard Cobb facilitated these exceptional breakout sessions and everyone commented on the excellent output and takeaway information that came from sharing experiences and ideas.
What’s next?
The atmosphere at the WCAF conference was one of excitement, passion and realism. Despite the recognition that the journey of woodland creation is still in its early stages, there was a palpable sense of optimism about the future. 40 success stories highlighting local authority planting achievements over the past two years were proudly displayed on a Wonder Wall throughout the day. These stories served as a positive reminder of the progress made by the WCAF local authorities and offered inspiration for future plans and endeavours.
The woodland creation journey undertaken by local authorities has been a story of learning, collaboration, and engagement. The task ahead is huge but the future looks positive. The successes celebrated at the conference are just the beginning, paving the way for future tree planting efforts by local authorities.
Further information
Author
- Steve Beddows, External Learning Project Officer, The Forestry Commission
