Community

As one of the ten Community Forests in the country, the Forest of Mercia works hard to inform, consult and involve people in all of its projects and activities. The Community theme is central to the main aims and objectives of the Forest of Mercia. The people who live, work and visit the Forest of Mercia are at the heart of regenerating communities and improving quality of life.

The projects highlighted below provide an up-to-date illustration of how the community theme works and what kinds of projects are currently being delivered.

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Friends in the Forest 

This project was developed to assess what level of Friends Group activity is in existence in the Forest of Mercia, as well as generating interest for groups, schools and individuals to sign up to become 'Friends in the Forest'. It was discovered through this project that over 900 people are actively involved in Friends Groups associated with the local area. The Forest of Mercia aims to provide a support mechanism for these groups and newly emerging groups in the area. Through working together, the environment is conserved and enhanced more sustainably and more effectively. If you would like to become a Friend in the Forest please contact Dave Knowles, Community Liaison Officer on 01543 370 737 for more details. You could be part of a formal group, a school or simply be an interested individual. This project was funded through the Forestry Commission Partnership Fund.

Access for All

Funded through Active Woods, this project aims to engage with groups who work with people with disabilities to provide them with information and support to visit local woodlands and make the most from the benefits of the natural environment on their doorstep. If you know of a group who might benefit from this project, then please contact Dave Knowles on the number above.

If you would like to download the free Woodland Walks leaflet associated with this project, then please click on the link below. The leaflet contains 29 different walks within the Forest of Mercia - so get out there and enjoy the environment on your doorstep!

 Woodland Walks Leaflet

For a really up to date picture of Community projects and events and activities please see the quarterly report below

 Community Report May 2011

Common Ground

The group of volunteers working with the Forest of Mercia from the Growell initiative has developed into a regular cohort of keen and enthusiastic team-mates who are able to develop their skills on a wide variety of practical activities.  The group are now able to undertake some complex tasks such as making a flight of steps from square one at Christianfields, Lichfield.

Other jobs  that the Common Ground Team has completed include footpath clearance, stile repair and hazel coppicing to produce bean sticks and plant supports.  They have also done weeding around the growing young trees planted at Muckley Corner Common and in the future will hopefully be helping with the installation of a pond on the site.  The group enjoy the sessions as it is something a little different from what many of them have done in the past and the variety of of tasks on any one day means that people can work at their own rate and level of responsibility.

 

 

Last Modified: 24/05/2011 10:09:31
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