The Consultation Draft of
the Regional Woodland Strategy for the East of England was published in
June 2003. Guided and funded by a steering group including English
Nature, the Environment Agency and the Forestry Commission, the factualcontent
of this consultation draft has been underpinned by research undertaken byProfessor
Paul Selman and his team of the Countryside and Community ResearchUnit
of the University of Gloucestershire. The Unit’s report has been published as the
Wood Bank of the East of England (www.woodlandforlife.net).This
important Consultation Draft should be read by landowners and managers, woodland
users, policy makers, health professionals, landscape specialists, developers,
timber processors and users, the recreation and tourism sectors, those interested
in renewable energy, educationalists, environmentalists, foresters, natural history
consultants and those whose interests are in conservation and natural history. With
the active participation of woodland owners, the woodlands and trees of the
East of England provide a wide range of benefits. In the Consultation Draft these
have been divided into six broad themes: , 
Quality of Life, Spatial Planning, Economic Development, Renewable Energy, Education and
Learning, Environment.
The Strategy has been drafted to reflect these six
themes. The final theme Environment, will probably be the section of the Draft
document that SNS members will want to read and respond to, especially Section A
Biodiversity. Of particular interest are the Habitat Action Plans for Wet
Woodland and Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland.
The vision of the Strategy can only be realised through positive partnerships between all interested parties. At this stage in the process of developing the Regional Woodland Strategy the Steering Group need you all to respond to the Consultation. The Consultation Draft has been open for public consultation since 13th June 2003, and will remain open for a period of three months until 15th September. All responses should be forwarded to
Mike Render, Regional Woodland Strategy Co-ordinator. Forestry Commission, East England Conservancy, Santon Downham, Brandon, Suffolk IP27 0TJ.
E-mail: mike.render@forestry.gsi.gov.uk To assist with the consultation exercise, three seminars have been arranged, where it will be possible to discuss any questions that might arise. These will be, held on:,
24 June Writtle College, Chelmsford, 02 July Shuttleworth College, Bedford,
17 July Easton Agricultural College, Norwich
If you would like to attend one of these
seminars, please contact Pat Bimson at,
Forestry Commission, East England
Conservancy, Santon Downham, Brandon. Suffolk IP27 0TJ.
or e-mail: pat.bimson|@forestry.gsi.gov.uk,
On completion of the
consultation period, all responses will be analysed and, amendments made to the
Draft Strategy. The final Strategy will be launched in November 2003. For a
summary of key issues refer to www.woodlandforlife.net
Colin Hawes
© 2003 Suffolk Naturalists' Society