The present and future of trees and woodlands in the East Midlands matters
to us all.

Our region is home to some of the most unique and valuable woodland landscapes in the country, yet it has less woodland cover than any other part of England. Across our region, from towns and cities to rural villages and open country, healthy woodland environments provide us with valuable benefits; for local people and communities; for our economy and for our environment.

The benefits of woodlands

Places for recreation - locations for local people and visitors to enjoy in a variety of ways, from organised events to family outings and children’s play

Spaces to improve our health and well being - from quiet rest and relaxation, somewhere to sit and think, to somewhere we can take a walk, ride a bike or participate in more active recreation and sports

A green and pleasant setting - creating the kind of local environments where people want to live and work - and where businesses want to invest.

Opportunities for business - producing timber for construction materials, fibre and renewable energy but also providing a setting for tourism and recreation business, country sports, holiday parks, mountain biking, horse riding and adventure play.

Environments for learning - from organised school groups to adult education and training schemes as well as volunteering opportunities.

Habitats for wildlife - supporting a vast range of plants and animals, including some of the most familiar symbols of the English countryside as well as many species that are rare and nationally and internationally protected.

Management of air, soil and water - helping to lock up carbon from the atmosphere, trap air and water borne pollution, clean up contaminated land and offset the impacts of flooding.

A sense of place - from the historic landscapes and ancient trees of Sherwood to the new air of pride and optimism in The National Forest.

If our woodlands are to keep delivering these benefits we must take action and provide resources to protect, enhance and extend them. We must also ensure that those who manage our trees and woodlands can do so in a way that is sustainable in the long term.

Adding Value

Income from traditional timber products alone is often not enough to pay for woodland management.

A more holistic approach to positive and effective management is needed and woodland managers need access to other sources of income if they are to protect the long-term future of woodland. Achieving a balance between public support, adding value to wood products and the development of a profitable environmental economy is therefore a key challenge for our region.

Space4trees, the East Midlands’ Regional Forestry Framework, marks the start of a long term effort to bring together land owners and managers, public bodies, voluntary sector organisations and communities to work for the future of our woodland heritage.