Last updated 12:07, Thursday, 11 September 2008

PEOPLE in West Cumbria and other parts of North West England have until the September 30 to apply for thousands of pounds worth of grants to help make the region even greener, thanks to the Forestry Commission’s English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS).

Haven: Dorothy Farrer’s Spring Wood, a Cumbria Wildlife Trust reserve

Woodland cover across the region currently stands at just 6.5 per cent compared with the national average of eight per cent and a European average of 33 per cent.

This means that the North West is one of the least wooded areas in England and the proportion of native ancient woodland is even less.

In the last 10 years grants worth more than £10 million have been given out by the Forestry Commission, leading to the creation of over 5,000 hectares of new woodlands in North West England.

Peter Fox, Woodland Officer for the Forestry Commission in West Cumbria, said: “The new areas of woodland that have been created in Cumbria and other parts of the region over the last decade have brought substantial benefits.

However, more needs to be done to meet challenges such as climate change - and we are working regionally and nationally to ensure our woodlands are working for us to meet those challenges, reducing the impacts and helping us and the wildlife around adapt to the changing climate.

“Larger landowners and farmers are important recipients of our grants, but small woodlands still provide many benefits and can make a real difference to the environment. We need to plan for a greener and more sustainable future so there’s never been a better time to create new woodland.”

Individuals can make an important contribution to tackling climate change by planting woodlands which absorb carbon as they grow. Trees can also provide a renewable energy source in the form of wood fuel and create new habitats for wildlife.

Projects the Forestry Commission are looking to support include high-quality tree planting schemes or the stewardship of existing woodland that benefit the environment or provide new places for people to enjoy healthy exercise.

Environmental benefits have included improvements to wildlife habitats and the restoration of derelict land.

As well as new woodland, it is possible to receive grants to improve the condition of existing woods. Farmers may also be eligible for Farm Woodland Payments, which compensate for the loss of agricultural income from land planted with trees.

Applications under the English Woodland Grant Scheme are assessed on a competitive basis using a scoring system.

The closing date of Woodland Creation Grants (WCG) is Tuesday, September 30. For all other grants the closing date is February 28.

For more information phone the English Woodland Grant Scheme helpline on 01223 346004 or visit www.forestry.gov.uk