Certifying Woodlands

[corylus]

Thanks to another post on Arbtalk regarding the Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme it looks like I may be able to take advantage of a grant. In the application it mentions certification. Now although this isnt a prerequisite for acceptance it would help if said woods were certified.

 

I presume this is all to do with sustainability etc etc but would I be correct in thinking there are various such sorts of 'certification'?

 

As in the words of Manuel....."I know nothing"

 

Any help appreciated.

[Luke Quenby]

Thanks to another post on Arbtalk regarding the Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme it looks like I may be able to take advantage of a grant. In the application it mentions certification. Now although this isnt a prerequisite for acceptance it would help if said woods were certified.

 

I presume this is all to do with sustainability etc etc but would I be correct in thinking there are various such sorts of 'certification'?

 

As in the words of Manuel....."I know nothing"

 

Any help appreciated.

 

 

It normally relates to the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme (UKWAS) and is all to do with sustainability and management. Often runs allied to ISO 14001 EMS, or certainly picks up on parts of it.

But it may have more to do with having a management plan in place for the woodland and environmental management systems accounted for. A whole raft of info can be found here

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=woodland%20certification&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forestry.gov.uk%2Fpdf%2Fukwasguide.pdf%2F%24FILE%2Fukwasguide.pdf&ei=puXUTti8FtHY8QO08tGCAg&usg=AFQjCNE2TOLR5p5BaqCwUnToTbpeaIVW9A

sections 3, 5 and 6 are probably the most relevant if at the planning stage.

Even though, as you mentioned, it is not a prerequisite to gaining funding, it is probably well worth a look and maybe a chat with your local FC officer, just to make sure you are going about it the right way. That is what they are there for and they should point you in the right direction.

Certification is a good thing to have, if it is relevant and nessacerry. It will certainly demonstrate you are in for the long haul and are looking at the bigger picture with things like management and sustainability (2 BIG key words in the FC funding world). Like many things it's a case of forms, patience and a bit more patience! Hope this helps a bit,

Luke

Edited November 29, 2011 by Luke Quenby

[corylus]

Cheers.

 

The woodland in question will be in a WIGS by the time of the FFIS application. I talked to our National Park Woodland Officer who is co-ordinating the WIGS with FC and whoever else, and he reckons we will be ok for FFIS. The FC should be onside already so hopefully they will be happy to help with 'certification'.

 

Will have a root through yor link in the morn