A woodland the size of about 140 rugby pitches is being created on former farmland in the Upper Vyrnwy valley – the largest new planting scheme in Wales for over 20 years.
Cyffin Woodland, which takes its name from the farm which used to be on the land, will be planted by Will Woodlands, a privately funded charity whose aim is tree planting for heritage enrichment and nature conservation.
It’s the largest project to be approved so far under the Glastir Woodland Creation scheme, which is being delivered on the Welsh Government’s behalf by Forestry Commission Wales.
Apart from some habitat land in a Tir Gofal agreement, all 140 hectares of the farmland will be planted with mostly native broadleaves including oak, ash, alder, field maple and cherry trees.
As well as contributing to the Welsh Government’s target of creating 100,000 hectares of new woodland over the next 20 years, the new woodland will provide a boost to wildlife and biodiversity by linking existing remnants of native woodland.
The woodlands will also create jobs, with a full time forester being employed to manage the Cyffin estate and more work required to produce, plant and maintain the trees.
A spokesman for Will Woodlands said the charity looked forward to managing and maintaining Cyffin woodlands in the best traditions of British forestry.
He added, “Substantial areas of land for new planting, which meets quality and environmental criteria, have been a scarce commodity in North Wales in recent years.
“The opportunity to contribute to the environment and economy of North Wales by planting new, mainly native broadleaved woodland on this scale is one to cherish.”
The Glastir grant, which is part of the Welsh Government’s new sustainable land management scheme, has replaced Better Woodlands for Wales, which has now closed to new applications.
Ken Smith, Forestry Commission Wales woodland officer in the Grants and Regulation team, said, “In addition to improving the biodiversity of the area, creating more woodland will contribute towards the emerging green economy in Wales by providing a sustainable building material, a renewable fuel and green jobs.”
For more information on grants available for planting new woodland, ring 0300 068 0300 and ask for the Forestry Commission Wales Glastir Woodland Creation team, e-mail [email protected] or look online at www.forestry.gov.uk/glastirwoodland
