Economic Study - South West Woodland Rennaisance
Objectives
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Lockhart Garratt Ltd with ekosgen was commissioned by South West Woodland Renaissance (SWWR) to undertake a strategic economic study of forestry in south west England. Lockhart Garratt provided the expert technical and research skills relating to woodland and forestry management, resource assessment, the wood chain and acted as a 'critical friend' by using industry experience to ground truth data, conclusions and recommendations. The project objectives included data collection, analysis and reporting of the forest resource in SW England and detailed consultations with regional forestry sector stakeholders.
Outcomes
The establishment of the evidence base for the current forest resource through primary and secondary data collection (woodland cover, ownership, woodland size, type and composition, age class, management, timber harvesting and production) along with extensive consultation with the Forestry Commission and private sector to gain information on new planting.
Similar methods were used to collect data on the wood chain (timber production through to tertiary processing). In addition an evaluation of national and regional data sources, industry structure and employment, processing and markets was provided.
By combining our forestry expertise with ekosgen's, a comprehensive overview of the forestry in South West England, which detailed the scale, structure and nature of the sector and recommendations to facilitate sector development was provided to SWWR [The report is available through the Silvanus Trust].
Future
This study provides the evidense base for forestry in SW England and is intended to be the key reference document for policy makers and delivery bodies requiring information to support and facilitate future sector development.
Building on this successful collaboration with ekosgen, a similar study to provide a regional forestry economic baseline for the West Midlands has recently been completed. The full report can be found at http://www.advantagewm.co.uk/what-we-do/improving-places/sustainable-land-management.aspx.
Testimonial
"In undertaking the South West England Woodland and Forestry Strategic Economic Study, ekosgen in association with Lockhart Garratt did a good job, professionally done, requiring a disparate range of information to be pulled together and interpreted within a short time scale."
Dr Sarah Vaughan on behalf of The Woodland Renaissance Partnership
[BACK] [For more information on this case study, please contact Karen Russell BSc (Hons), MICFor]
