On Saturday 30th January around 50 hardy souls braved the chilly weather to take part in a unique woodland experience at the Woodland Trust’s Whittle Dene Wood.
People took part in three different activities throughout the wood, helping repair paths, trying their hand at coppicing and building mini wigwams – particularly popular with the younger members of the group! There were even some equine friends on site to help out too.
Anna Caine, who manages the site for the Woodland Trust said: “We had a great turnout from locals who wanted to see what’s been happening in this lovely wood and get stuck in. It goes to show that people really do care about local woods on their doorstep.”
Whittle Dene is an ancient woodland - woodland that has been in existence since at least 1600AD - and provides home to a wide range of wildlife alongside the Whittle Burn.
Thanks to a grant from SITA Trust’s Enriching Nature Programme coppicing, the historic practice of cutting trees to allow vigorous re-growth, a sustainable supply of timber and enhance the diversity of plants in the wood, has been taking place over the last few years.
Longer term the Trust is hoping to establish a local volunteer group who can continue coppicing in the wood. If you’re interested in getting involved contact Anna at annacaine@woodlandtrust.org.uk
Community and environmental groups looking to find out more about funding through the Landfill Communities Fund can contact SITA Trust on 01454 262910 or visit www.sitatrust.org.uk for more information.
Notes to editors:
For media enquiries contact:
The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121, email: media@woodlandtrust.org.uk
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 250,000 members and supporters.
The Trust has four key aims: i) No further loss of ancient woodland; ii) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; iii) Increasing new native woodland; iv) Increasing people’s understanding and enjoyment of woodland.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free.
The SITA Trust: SITA Trust was set up in 1997 and runs three funding programmes: • Enhancing Communities – funding community improvement projects around qualifying waste management sites owned by SITA UK. • Enriching Nature – funding biodiversity conservation projects within the vicinity of landfill sites in England. • GreenPrints – funding environmental volunteering opportunities for young people aged 16-25. 1. In 2007 SITA Trust donated over £7.5 million nationwide through the Landfill Communities Fund. 2. By end of 2008 SITA Trust had funded over 2000 projects with a combined value of more than £66 million.
For media enquiries about SITA Trust please contact Jools Mackin, Communications Manager on 01454 262940 mobile 07870 253048 or email jools.mackin@sita.co.uk
The Landfill Communities Fund (formerly the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme)
1. Landfill tax was introduced in 1996 to encourage more sustainable ways of managing waste.
2. The landfill tax legislation also brought about the Landfill Communities Fund. This scheme allows landfill operators to voluntarily donate 6.7% of their landfill tax liability to environmental improvement projects.
3. The Landfill Communities Fund is independently regulated on behalf of HM
4. Government’s Revenue & Customs by ENTRUST.