Stakeholders

 

The Forestry Commission consults with local people over a wide range of issues. These people who have an interest in the FC activities are sometimes referred to as 'stakeholders'. Such stakeholders represent many different interests: e.g. statutory groups such as Natural England; local councils; conservation groups like RSPB and Hampshire Wildlife Trust; and user groups such as The Ramblers Association.

These diverse groups of stakeholders help with the management of the New Forest. One example is the public consultation the Forestry Commission Planning team undertook. The Forest Design Plan is a working document setting out the detailed work programmes for each of the forest inclosures and draft plans are initially discussed by a forum of stakeholders. These discussions include presentations and explanations of proposed plans by Forestry Commission staff and others. There is opportunity for questions and debate over the proposals and site visits also form part of the process. The plan is gradually developed in the light of these discussions so that a broad consensus is reached.

The PROGRESS project has a panel of over 30 stakeholders who meet regularly to help guide the direction of the project actions, and the Life3 project also has a panel of stakeholders to help guide its actions, including some specialists, forest residents and forest users.

This local input is vital in sharing many management decisions and in fostering a more comprehensive understanding of forest issues and just as importantly, other people's views.