Forestry Commission

We are the government department responsible for the protection and expansion of Britain's forests and woodlands.

The Forestry Commission in England is recognised and respected as an international leader in sustainable forestry. Our reputation has been built on our expertise and our ability to achieve results that benefit people's lives. These benefits include the unique public forest estate. Here, millions of visitors enjoy a wide range of recreational activities by exploring woodlands on foot, cycle and horseback or even getting high up in the tree canopy to enjoy some totally different views. As well as timber forests we successfully manage native woodlands and other important habitats for wildlife and conservation such as heathlands and bogs. But more than this, our work is also increasingly benefiting people through improvements to their environments – close to where they live and where they work.

In achieving all these benefits we work with many partners – as a facilitator, as an enabler, and through our English Woodland Grant Scheme, as a funder.

Activities and services:

• Provision of the English Woodland Grant Scheme, which gives grants for woodland creation, management and improvement of existing woodland, increased benefits for biodiversity or access, amongst other things. Advice is also provided to grant scheme holders
• Administering and regulating felling licenses for all tree and woodland owners.
• Conducting Environmental Impact Assessment (E.I.A) Determinations.
• Promotion and adminstering of funding available through Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). This is a source of funding available for farmers, growers and foresters and aims to help secure a sustainable future for businesses.
• Increasing the competitiveness of woodland businesses and promoting the development of new or improved markets for sustainable woodland product (e.g. woodfuel),  and ecosystem services where this will deliver identifiable public benefits, nationally or locally, including the reduction of carbon emissions.

• Managing the public forest estate with sustainable woodland management supplying raw materials for use in construction and for woodfuel
• Ensure that existing and newly planted trees, woods and forests are resilient to the impacts of climate change and also contribute to the way in which biodiversity and natural resources adjust to a changing climate.
• Protect and enhance the environmental resources of water, soil, air, biodiversity and landscapes (both woodland and non-woodland) and the cultural and amenity values of trees and woodland.
• Create and manage attractive and inspiring places for for recreation and physical activity, promoting healthier lifestyles, enjoyment and a greater understanding of the natural environment. Address the physical and cultural barriers that limit some people's enjoyment of trees, woods and forests

Geographic coverage:

Key contacts

Grants & Regulations  Mike Habergham  Area Manager
South East England Area Office, Upper Icknield Way, Aston Clinton,  Aylesbury, Bucks HP22 5NF            Tel: 01296 696543 Email:  mike.habergham@forestry.gsi.gov.uk   Website: www.forestry.gov.uk

Public Forest Estate (Chilterns Beat , South East England) Jo Mason Beat Forester
South East England Area Office, Upper Icknield Way, Aston Clinton,  Aylesbury, Bucks HP22 5NF            Tel: 01296 696543 Email:  joanne.mason @forestry.gsi.gov.uk   Website: www.forestry.gov.uk

Notes:

Registered charity number: 1131540. © 2008-2010