Red Rose Forest

The origins of

Red Rose Forest • One of 12 Community Forests

across England• Launched in 1992 as a

Partnership of 6 Local Authorities and National bodies

• Red Rose Forest Plan produced in 1994

The Red Rose Forest TeamTony HothersallForest Director

Tracey AthertonOffice Manager

Mike SavageOperations Manager

Anne CarpenterFinance &

Administrative Officer

Jessica ThompsonCommunity

Liaison Manager

Andy LongWoodlands

Officer

Sally MizonCommunications

Officer

CFNW Posts, student placements and interns

Achievements to date• Over 1200ha of new woodland created• Over 1500ha of woodland brought into active

management• Over 600km of access routes created or upgraded

• Urban Timber Initiative created 52 jobs, supported 41

companies

Where are we now?• Changing financial context

– End of core funding from National bodies– Move to project support and Service Level Agreements

• Changing policy context– Increasing emphasis on ‘key policy drivers’ (Health, Education,

Economy, Climate Change)– New Performance Framework for Local Authorities– Local and Multi Area Agreements

• Changing how the Forest works– More directly related to national and local policies– Emphasis on Green Infrastructure

Where are we now?• Changing financial context

– End of core funding from National bodies– Move to project support and Service Level Agreements

• Changing policy context– Increasing emphasis on ‘key policy drivers’ (Health, Education,

Economy, Climate Change)– New Performance Framework for Local Authorities– Local and Multi Area Agreements

• Changing how the Forest works– More directly related to national and local policies– Emphasis on Green Infrastructure– Business Plan

SERVICE

KEY ISSUES

Developing and Promoting

Green Infrastructure

Green Infrastructure

Planning

Creating and Managing

Green Infrastructure

Supporting the development of

Timber, Biomass and renewables

Partnership working and

communications

Securing and Managing Resources

Adminstration and

management

Adapting to and mitigating the effects of Climate Change ● ● ● ● ● ● Promoting physical and mental health ● ● ● ● ● Reducing waste and promoting recycling ● ● ● ● ● ● Supporting sustainable transport ● ● ● ● ● ● Improving biodiversity

● ● ● ● ● ● Developing community cohesion and engagement ● ● ● ● ● Improving educational attainment ● ● ● ● ● Improving the local economy

● ● ● ● ● ●

Developing and Promoting Green Infrastructure• Promoting GI in the Planning

Process• Green Infrastructure Think Tank• Natural Economy North West

Green Infrastructure Planning

• Greater Manchester GI Framework

• Working with Environmental Sustainability and Salford West on GI planning

• Croal Irwell Regional Park

Green Infrastructure Planning (cont)

• Mosslands Project

Green Infrastructure Planning (cont)

• Mosslands Project

Green Infrastructure Planning (cont)

• Mosslands Project• Irwell River Park GI Plan

Green Infrastructure Planning (cont)

• Mosslands Project• Irwell River Park GI Plan• Salford Tree Audit

Green Infrastructure Planning (cont)

• Mosslands Project• Irwell River Park GI Plan• Salford Tree Audit• Local Climate Change Action Plan

Creating and Managing Green Infrastructure

• Woodland Creation• Woodland Management

– EWGS, Certification

• Biodiversity Action

Creating and Managing Green Infrastructure

• Newlands – LIVIA - £3.48m so far, another 2m to be spent

Creating and Managing Green Infrastructure

• Newlands – LIVIA - £3.48m so far, another 2m to be spent

• SSFG - The Meadows – RRF bringing £175k+ to project

• Green Streets - projects in Broughton and Cadishead

•

Timber, Biomass and renewables• Biomass• Timber Arisings

Partnership working and communications

• GM Forest Network– Over 100 members– Skillshare Training– Forest-wide Projects e.g.Health Walks

Festival, Forest Fever, Fruits of Red Rose Forest, Access & Involvement)

• Universities & Colleges• External Communications

– Publications– Website– Events

Securing and Managing Resources

• Project Funding and resources– Over £40m since 1994

• Private sector support– Work with large and small companies– Sponsorship– Green Corporate Days

• Community Forests North West– Applying for grants– Acquiring Land– Employing staff

Key elements of Red Rose Forest• Partnerships• Flexibility• Change

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