Woodland creation scheme unveiled in Londonderry

Farmers in Londonderry could have their land transformed into thriving woodland, thanks to a new woodland creation scheme offered by the Woodland Trust and supported by Forest Service.

Native woodland, as well as being vital to our health and wellbeing, offers a whole range of benefits to farmers. For a start, new native trees and woods provide shelter and shade for livestock, while carefully sited woodland can help prevent flooding and cleanse nearby watercourses. In addition, the planting of new woodland can produce sustainable supplies of timber and wood-fuel, while helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Killaloo Woods

Whatever your incentive, within as little as 12 years you could be walking through your own flourishing young forest of native trees, such as oak, ash, hazel and rowan – a haven for wildlife and a place of quiet recreation.

This unmissable offer comes from the Woodland Trust’s MOREwoods initiative. Experts from the Woodland Trust or Forest Service will check land suitability, help with the design of the wood, and offer advice on tree species. And thanks to Forest Service’s Woodland Grant Scheme, there could be little or no cost to the landowner.

Brian Poots of the Woodland Trust says: “The initiative has already been well-received in a number of pilot regions, and we’re now delighted to make it easy for farmers in the Derry City Council area to experience the beauty and benefits of woodland. To help us get the process underway, we’re especially keen to hear from those farmers with a farm business identification number.”

Julie Corry, biodiversity officer with Derry City Council, adds: “This scheme will help to achieve our vision for native woodland for the region, as creating new woodland is a key objective of the Derry/Londonderry Local Biodiversity Action Plan. We are delighted that the Woodland Trust is taking positive action to help achieve this goal.”

The Woodland Trust has its own ambitious plans for the area and looks forward to planting the first of 36,000 native trees at its new flagship site - Burntollet Wood, in the beautiful Faughan Valley - this November. The young trees will buffer the nearby fragments of ancient woodland which grace Ness Country Park.

The conservation charity hopes that others will be inspired to bring the beauty of woodland to their very own doorstep. To find out more, telephone Brian Poots of the Woodland Trust on 08452 935 749 or email brianpoots@woodlandtrust.org.uk. Alternatively log on to woodlandtrust.org.uk/MOREwoods.