Community engagement
The Forestry Commission see the community as a vital role in managing and sustaining the future of woodlands across the United Kingdom. As our sites develop and new woodlands are taken on, particularly within or neighbouring urban areas, we feel that it is important to engage with local members of the community every step of the way. Key to future development of sites we feel it is important to offer a provision of education, health based activities, practical conservation and with partnership working. The Forestry Commission understands that local people know and understand their local woodlands, with the issues they face, better than anyone else. In order to manage woodlands effectively we regularly seek public opinions, thoughts and ideas for the future development of the sites. This year we are offereng our most diverse programme of events ever with a huge variety of activities to suit all ages and abilities. Our aim is that our programme of activities be as accessible to everyone as we can make it, educational, interesting and relevant but most of all lots of fun! The development of Community woodlands on the doorstep to local communities, provides great spaces for both formal and informal exercise aiding both physical and mental wellbeing. Local residents meet regularly to discuss the progress and future developments of their local woodlands. In adopting an area they are helping to sustain the future of their local area with added benefits such as applying for funding to provide extra facilities and services. We work with a whole range of partners from local authorities to sports clubs, local communities to national businesses, on a whole host of recreation, regeneration and educational schemes.
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