The JIGSAW Challenge "Joining and Increasing Grant Scheme for Ancient Woodland"
Relaunched in May 2009 and now significantly extended!
The objective remains to provide the greatest possible benefit to the red squirrel, by linking and extending areas of ancient woodland. The target areas have now been expanded to cover the whole island, although preference will be given to applications within the original target areas.
The map, below, shows the island divided into three zones:
- Zone 1 - applications here will take precedence where funding is oversubscribed. Grants will be offered for both linking and expanding ancient woodland
- Zone 2 - applications will be considered after those in Zone 1 and will also be offered for both linking and expanding ancient woodland.
- Zone 3 - applications here will be considered after those in Zone 2. All applications in this area must demonstrate that they are linking ancient woodlands.
‘Successful’ applications for JIGSAW will receive the same £2,000 per hectare of additional top up grant whether they are in zones 1, 2 or 3.
Background
This is a scheme introduced in 2000 by the Forestry Commission as a contribution to sustainable forest management to encourage the expansion and linkage of semi natural woodland for the whole country. The England Forestry Strategy (EFS) states that many of our ancient and semi-natural woods are fragments of historically more extensive woodland.
On the Island it was used to provide important links between isolated woodlands to assist the spread of red squirrel and other rare species. Between 2001 and 2006 34 owners planted over 210 hectares, the largest of the 44 schemes was over 23 hectares and the smallest 0.3 hectares. This gives an average of 4.7 hectares per scheme, significantly in excess of the 1 hectare previous average for south east England.
22 ancient woods have now been robustly linked and many more have been expanded, improving their core area of woodland.
The project has been a successful, but it will be important to continue to manage the new woodlands for their future and to achieve the aims and objectives for which they were planted in the first place.
The Forestry Commission re-launched its JIGSAW planting scheme in May 2009. Rather than offering it everywhere it was agreed, with the Isle of Wight Council and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, that the Forestry Commission would target specific areas on the island. Areas where links between woods would give the greatest benefit to the red squirrel. This produced a good response and several planting schemes have been agreed for this year’s planting season.
At the judging round in October 2009 it was agreed that the target areas could be extended to cover the whole island. However those applications falling within the original target area would receive funding in preference to other parts of the island
Isle of Wight Woodland Forum
Why we need a Forum?
We see it as a way of connecting owners within the group to discuss relevant and topical subjects, providing concern or interest within the group. Also act as a catalyst for linking owners to woodland managers, forestry experts, users of woodland produce and other relevant groups and individuals.
The last Forum took place on 9th February 2010.
If you would like to receive details of future events please email:
southeast.fce@forestry.gov.uk with a title of "Isle of Wight Woodland Forum"
