Linking sustainable practices throughout Europe
[EXP] Small woodland keepers in the UK
Difficulties and opportunities of a community-led organisation promoting coppicing, traditional woodcrafts and local woodland products
Rural topic(s): Sustainable forestry
Type: Success story
Date of writing: May 2, 2016
Author(s) of this page: Paddy Cox
Organization(s): Small Woods Association
Summary:
Small Wodds Association operates as community-led organisation promoting coppicing, traditional woodcrafts and local woodland products.
Text:
Description of activities
Woodland management: Sustainable forestry management for biodiversity and productive uses.
Woodland products: Roundwood structures and shelters, greenwood shakes and furniture, charcoal and fencing.
Woodland economy: A large element of our operating model includes training courses in traditional woodland skills, outdoor learning and recreation in woods.
Outlook
Challenges: include the unsustainable woodland being seen solely as financial “investments” that increasingly excludes communities from access, or from contributing towards, supporting, appreciating or understanding the role of woodlands in the wider environment. Consequent outcomes frequently include local hostility to any active management of local woods, “nimbyism” and the lack of understanding of community roles in sustainable development generally.
Next steps: We shall continue to include local communities in a range of woodland activities and events, building support for and understanding of the important role that small local woodlands can and should make in creating more sustainable communities.
Notes:
Presentation given during the Market of initiatives during the 1st workshop on Sustainable Forest Management (17-20 March 2016)
Contact:
Keepers of small woods:
Contact: Paddy Cox
E-mail: paddycox8(a)gmail.com
Download:
Informations:
Scale of intervention : Local
Keywords: woodland products, locally-based economy, woodland management, wood processing, sustainable woodland, coppicing, crafts, rural heritage, local community initiative
Places: United-Kingdom
Actors: private sector, community organization, forest owner
Methods: training/capacity-building, community-led initiative, outdoor learning