Better Woodlands for Wales (BWW)

The Woodland Strategy Vision for Wales over the next 50 years is:

"Wales will be known for high-quality woodlands that enhance the landscape, are appropriate to local conditions and have a diverse mixture of species and habitats that will provide real social and community benefits, support thriving woodland-based industries and contribute to a better quality environment throughout Wales"

Better Woodlands for Wales is the new Forestry Commission Wales (FCW) grant scheme designed to meet that vision. The scheme has been developed in consultation with woodland owners and their agents as well as our partner organisations. As a result, the new scheme places greater emphasis on good quality woodland management and offers grants specially designed for Welsh woodlands. Grant aid is now based upon an approved long term management plan. This plan must meet the minimum standards under the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme.

Specially trained and FCW approved management planners will help you decide exactly what work needs to be carried out in your woodland, and work out what steps you need to take. If you wish to proceed, the management planner will prepare your management plan and submit your application online.

We also have a list of approved specialist assessors who can help with preparing the plan in particular areas such as Continuous Cover Forestry, Woodland Ecology, Deer Management, Social Forestry and Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS).

European Objective 1 logo

European Community (EC) Objective 1 Funding
The Better Woodlands for Wales scheme is assisted with EC Objective One funding from the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO).
This assistance has been essential in setting up and running the scheme and will help the Welsh forest management sector and Welsh forestry to develop and become more sustainable in the
long term. For more information, please see the WEFO website.