FREE webinars are being made available for woodland owners in Yorkshire and across the North-East.

They are provided as part of the Woodland Management Focus Area Pilot project which is looking to bring woodlands into management. It is funded through the Forestry Commission Woodlands into Management Forestry Innovation Fund in association with RDI Associates and the Sylva Foundation.

A spokesman said: “Woodlands are increasingly being recognised as a significant factor in counteracting the climate and biodiversity emergencies. They can produce a range of sustainable products, help improve air and water quality, provide a setting for recreation and tourism, support jobs and businesses in the rural economy - and just make us feel better about the world.

“In most cases though, to do this, woodlands need to be managed and a woodland that isn’t is likely to decline in value for both wildlife and timber. As the light is excluded from the lower canopy, the ground flora suffers and new trees can’t get a hold. Regeneration is limited to a narrow range of species and the timber quality of the remaining trees decline. Unmanaged woodlands are also less resilient to the increasing threats from pests and diseases. Despite this, over 40 per cent of woodlands in England are unmanaged.”

To counter this, a series of free webinars has been launched aimed at woodland owners who are not currently managing their woodlands. The webinars have been designed to introduce people to the key steps to successful woodland management, including.

They will be presented by experts in each subject delivered in a way that is accessible to all. Each webinar will last about an hour and consist of a presentation plus an opportunity to ask questions. Participants may also be offered a free one to one online advice session and additional support, depending on their location.

All webinars will take place at 5pm on Tuesdays, starting on November 30. They will cover: Sustainable Woodland Management – how and why do woodlands benefit from management?

An Introduction to Management Planning – setting objectives and planning operations.

Management Operations – different ways to manage on the ground.

Regulations and Incentives – grants, licences, tax and planning permission.

Selling Your Timber – making sure you get the best value,

Using Your Own Timber – firewood and woodfuel production and use.

Woodlands and Climate Change – getting your woodlands ready and how woodlands can help you cope with a changing climate

To book your free place, see https://www.ruraldevelopment.org.uk/free-woods-into-management-webinars/