Partnerships and Projects

 

Partnership working is a crucial part for both the development of the Forestry Commission along with the woodlands we manage.

Within South Yorkshire the restoration schemes have involved partnerships between Yorkshire Forward, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough council, Groundwork Dearne Valley and the Forestry Commission. These sites are now owned by the Land Restoration Trust, with the Forestry Commission responsible for the on-site management. These initial partnerships have now grown and become ever more important to ensure these sites are managed to serve the public needs and requirements.

Land Restoration Trust

Created by a partnership comprising of English Partnership, Groundwork, the Forestry Commission, and the Environment Agency, the Land Restoration Trust (LRT) is improving the environment and quality of life for communities by providing long-term sustainable management of public spaces across England.

Across South Yorkshire, the Forestry Commission manages woodlands owned by the LRT for your benefit. These sites include: -

Bentley Community Woodland

Brodsworth Community Woodland

Cudworth Common and Ferrymoor Flash

Dinnington Community Woodland

Phoenix Park

Kiveton Community Woodland

SYFP – Upper Woodhead Project

The South Yorkshire Forest Partnership is part of the National Community Forest Programme. It brings public, private and community organisations together to realise major environmental and economic regeneration, transforming the region’s post industrial landscape into accessible, sustainable, community-focused opportunities for health, recreation, cultural, educational, social and economic activity.

When the former open cast land at Upper Woodhead Farm came up for sale South Yorkshire Forest Partnership and the Forestry Commission saw an opportunity to create a fantastic resource for the people in the surrounding communities. Between the two organisations and local community representatives we were able to secure funding of £ 1.2 million from Yorkshire Forward and European Objective 1. This funding is being used to transform the former open cast site which spans 59 hectares, into a community green space - improving the environment and providing a healthy recreation resource for the people of Wombwell and the surrounding villages. The site is being developed alongside Wombwell Wood; an ancient woodland with native trees dating back many centuries. This new piece of land has provided an ideal opportunity to expand this precious habitat for both the local community and wildlife.

A number of community consultation events have been run over the past 12 months for local residents and school groups to have their say on how the site should be developed to best benefit the local community. Some fantastic ideas have been submitted including areas for play, walking and wildlife watch. Some ideas were very elaborate such as underground caves and fairground's (provided by the local primary schools), but unfortunately the budgets couldn’t quite stretch to such imaginative minds!

Throughout January the South Yorkshire Forest and Forestry Commission collaborated with artists from Fieldart on a creative project in local schools. Pupils from Jump Primary, High View and Wombwell Park Street schools took part in lantern workshops exploring ideas around health and the environment. The children and their families were then invited to a lantern celebration and storytelling session to introduce them to the new community space.

The newly planted area of the wood is scheduled for opening to the public in late spring.

Doncaster PCT – Green Gym and Buggyfit

One of the key partnerships which has developed since 2005 has been with Doncaster Primary Care Trust and the Forestry Commission. Through this partnership we have been working to deliver a variety of health based activities to local green spaces within the Doncaster Borough. These include:

Green Gym

Buggyfit