Purpose
Woodland Improvement Grant (WIG) funds capital investment in woodlands, over an agreed period to create, enhance and sustain an increase in the quantity and quality of public benefits delivered.
Types of WIG fund:
- Woodland Biodiversity Action Plan (including a specific measure for Red squirrels)
- Woodland Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Condition Improvement
- Woodland Public Access
Regionally specific grants that have been developed to meet priorities identified in the Regional Forestry Frameworks.
Eligibility and how to apply
For information about eligibility, grant rates and how to apply, please refer to
EWGS5 WIG Guide (PDF 672kb), EWGS5 Guidance Addendum (PDF 117kb) and
EWGS1 General Guide (PDF 526kb).
For more information about what is available in your region, please contact your local FC office.
Application forms and guidance
EWGS5 WIG Guide (672kb)
WIG applicant guidance
EWGS5 Guidance Addendum (117kb)
Addendum to applicant guidance: published July 2010
EWGS5 WIG Application Form (63kb)
WIG application form
EWGS5 WIG Calculator (Excel) (127kb)
A tool to help calculate standard costs
EWGS5 WIG Example (1.3MB)
Example of a completed WIG application
EWGS1 General Guide (526kb)
General guidance for EWGS
EWGS1 General Details Form (72kb)
General details application form
Supplementary Notice of Operations in a SSSI (178kb)
For work in a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) only. Submit this form to us together with your grant application in order to apply for Natural England's consent for the work.
Additional sources of funding
In addition to EWGS, there are other funding sources:
- Environmental Stewardship (managed by Natural England) provides grants for environmental management, including woodland. For further guidance, please see
Funding for Farm Woodlands in England (183kb). - Funding for social and economic investment in woodland will be available from Regional Development Agencies in due course, under Axis 1 & 3 of the Rural Development Plan for England (RDPE).
There are a variety of other funding sources available for woodland creation and management. The Royal Forestry Society has produced a guide called Grants for Trees that lists over 50 funding sources.
Alternative publications
If you need any of our publications in large print or in another language please contact The Diversity Team. Tel: 0131 314 6575, Email: diversity@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
