Lancashire County Council is appealing to landowners and businesses in Lancaster to join a woodland scheme which has already helped to boost tree cover at a local caravan park.
The Lancashire Woodlands Project helps landowners access funds to plant new woods and look after existing ones to improve wildlife, timber production, and people’s enjoyment of the countryside.
David Wightman, managing director of Old Hall Caravan Park near Carnforth, contacted the woodlands project in spring 2010.
Paul Bullimore, manager of the LWP, said: “David wanted to improve the management of the woodlands on his site with the eventual aim of gradually replacing the existing conifers with native broadleaf species.
“We helped him to prepare a five-year management plan and apply to the Forestry Commission for grants towards the cost of the work.”
Mr Wightman added: “The woodlands are important to my business but I am not a forester.
“Professional help in drawing up the management plan was really valuable and has allowed me to plan the long term management of these wonderful woodlands.
“The grant system can appear complicated for those unfamiliar with it and guidance from experts makes all the difference”.
If you have land you could plant woodlands on or woodlands which are not managed please contact the project to discuss the options available.
• You can contact the Lancashire Woodlands Project on 01772 533917, email lwp@lancashire.gov.uk or find out more online at www.lancashire.gov.uk/lwp