The woodlands of Wales make a valuable contribution to the Welsh economy and a number of organisations exist to support those with an interest in the forestry sector.
Now, thanks to the creation of a forestry hub in Machynlleth, a range of organisations from commercial forest industry organisations to community woodland groups will be brought together in a single office base.
The Wales Forest Business Partnership’s office in Dyfi Eco Park, Machynlleth will be transformed into the new forestry hub and staff from Wood Fuel Wales, Wood Source Wales, Coed Lleol, Llais y Goedwig, the Dyfi Woodland Group and Forest School Wales will move into the their new base over the coming weeks.
The forestry hub was initiated by Forestry Commission Wales with the aim of boosting partnership working between organisations working in the sector.
Barbara Anglezarke, Forestry Commission Wales’s Policy and Programme Manager, said, “A key outcome of the Woodlands for Wales strategy is that people understand that huge range of benefits that woodlands can offer and that the forestry sector becomes better integrated and more competitive, thus supporting the Welsh economy.
“Having such a range of organisations working from the forestry hub will lead to a better understanding of opportunities, co-operative working and shared initiatives within the sector.
“In addition, overheads for all the organisations will be reduced so that more resources can be used to deliver activities.”
The Wales Forest Business Partnership has welcomed the creation of the forestry hub which will be based in its office.
Partnership Manager Frankie Owen said, “At a number of our recent events, one of the most striking conclusions was that all parties face the challenge of how to better share the knowledge and experience that exists within the timber sector.
“We expect the new forestry hub will be one more step in making those connections, helping to improve competitiveness of businesses and the sector.”
The forestry hub will also contain a meeting room and office space for Forestry Commission Wales staff.
Barbara added, “The office space for our staff will help them integrate with the work of the groups based there as well as reducing the time and costs associated with them travelling to our existing offices in Dolgellau and Aberystwyth.”
