Community Consultation
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. Planning for RealPlanning for Real uses simple maps and models as a focus for people to put forward and prioritise ideas on how their local woodland can be developed and improved. It is a highly visible, hands-on community development and empowerment tool, which people of all abilities and backgrounds find easy and enjoyable to engage in. Consultation eveningsOpen evenings held in community centres, and other focal points of urban conurbation, allow people to come and have their say about opinions and ideas they may have about their woodlands. Forestry Commission understands it is important to go out to the community rather than expecting the community to come to us. Dog pit-stopsPit stops consist of a ranger, van and a table with posters, free dog food and questionnaires. Dog pit-stops are held throughout the spring, summer and autumn, early morning and evenings to catch dog walkers who frequent our sites. Posters, on site and distributed locally, invite people to stop off, have their say about the woodlands, in addition to having their dog watered and taking away free dog food samples and other merchandise. Some dog walkers change their walk times specifically to attend pit stops. Rangers have found this is a great way to make initial contact with site users and continue to get feedback in site development.
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