Correspondence

eAlert: 6 October 2020 - Thank you for your Countryside Stewardship applications

Published 8 October 2020

Applies to England

• Publication for Northern Ireland
• Publication for Scotland
• Publication for Wales

1. 06 October 2020

In this issue we say thank you for your Countryside Stewardship applications, remind you about the deadlines for the Woodland Carbon Guarantee and the HS2 Woodland Fund. You can find out how to book onto a free seminar on Forestry and Climate Change, read more about plant passporting and find out about the Woodland Management Plan applications which are now funded under domestic regulations.

2. Thank you for your Countryside Stewardship applications

We would like to express our thanks for the applications received for Countryside Stewardship Woodland Improvement Grant for both Mixed and Woodland Only and the ways that applicants positively responded to the different circumstances of 2020.

Application numbers were similar to 2019 but the average size of the applications has increased by over 40% - so applicants are putting more land into both application types. Undertaking the assessments, approvals and securing the necessary quotes for capital works has been complicated by coronavirus, but applicants and the Forestry Commission Woodland Officers have shown much pragmatism and adaptability. The applications are now having the final checks by the RPA and Forestry Commission.

Agreements will be sent out as soon as possible, and we look forward to works starting from 1 January 2021. We are also pleased to see the applications for new Woodland Creation, Woodland Tree Health and Woodland Management Plan grants continue to be submitted and work also continues on these schemes.

3. The Woodland Carbon Guarantee auction is open for applications

To take part in the auction you need to submit your application no later than 11 October 2020.

We announced in August that £10 million is available in the third auction of the Woodland Carbon Guarantee. Applications need to be submitted before the closing date at midnight on 11 October 2020 to be eligible for the next auction which will take place online for one week between 26 October and 1 November 2020.

In order to apply for the Woodland Carbon Guarantee, woodland creation projects will need to be registered with and managed under the Woodland Carbon Code. It is important to allow sufficient time for this and the application process ahead of the auction deadline. However, this period can be shortened significantly by working with a project developer, the details of whom can be found on the Woodland Carbon Code website.

For more information about the Woodland Carbon Guarantee visit GOV.UK. Still unsure? Then read our case study to hear what a participant in the first auction said about it.

4. HS2 Woodland Fund is open for applications

Plan your HS2 winter 2021/22 planting.

The HS2 Woodland Fund is open to woodland creation and PAWS restoration applications for planting in winter 2021/22. That might seem a long way off, but applying now (before 27 November) to get an agreement by Spring next year, would leave you plenty of time to arrange plant supply and contractors afterwards. Remember that the golden rule of grant schemes is that no work (including ordering plants) can take place before you formally enter an grant agreement, so planning ahead to get an agreement in place well before the planting season makes a lot of sense!

Get in touch with your local Woodland Officer or email hs2woodlandfund@forestrycommission.gov.uk for more information.

5. Forestry and Climate Change Working Group seminars

Book your place now.

Featuring in-depth content developed and presented by expert members of the Forestry and Climate Change Working Group (FCCWG), this informative series of events will provide attendees with a comprehensive overview of the principles for adapting trees and woodlands to climate change, information on which silvicultural systems are best suited to managing species mixes, and also offer advice on how to select species to meet management objectives.

Four events will be held throughout October, with a diverse range of content being delivered through a mix of presentations, case studies and panel discussions. These sessions were developed following the publication of the Forestry Commission’s Managing England’s Woodlands in a Climate Emergency with a view to providing more guidance to the sector.

These free online sessions will be hosted by the Institute of Chartered Foresters and can be booked via the ICF website.

The four sessions are:

• 7 October 2020, 11:00am - Climate Change Adaptation of Forests, Woods and Trees in England: Session 1 – The Challenge

• 16 October 2020 11:00am - Climate Change Adaptation of Forests, Woods and Trees in England: Session 2 – Silvicultural Systems

• 21 October 2020, 11:00am - Climate Change Adaptation of Forests, Woods and Trees in England: Session 3 – Species Choice

• 27 October 2020, 11:00am - Climate Change Adaptation of Forests, Woods and Trees in England: Session 4 – Decision Support Tools

6. Do you trade in timber or wood products?

Read Defra’s factsheet.

If you trade in timber or wood products, you should read the new factsheet published by Defra: Plant Passport factsheet to find out more. It outlines what UK businesses need to do.

7. Woodland Management Plan applications now under domestic arrangements

Started on 1 October 2020.

Woodland Management Plan grant applications will funded under domestic regulations from 1 October 2020. The Countryside Stewardship manual for Woodland Management Plan grant under domestic funding has (1 October 2020) been published on gov.uk. In order to formally close the EU scheme and transfer to the domestic regulations there will be a gap in applications. The new application forms will now be available on gov.uk from 15 October 2020. Please see the woodland support section of the Countryside Stewardship: how to apply page for updates.