Red Rose Forest The origins of Red Rose

Red Rose Forest

The origins of Red Rose Forest • One of 12 Community Forests across England • Launched in 1992 as a Partnership of 6 Local Authorities and National bodies • Red Rose Forest Plan produced in 1994

The Red Rose Forest Team Tony Hothersall Forest Director Tracey Atherton Office Manager Anne Carpenter Finance & Administrative Officer Mike Savage Operations Manager Andy Long Woodlands Officer CFNW Posts, student placements and interns Jessica Thompson Community Liaison Manager Sally Mizon Communications Officer

Achievements to date • Over 1200 ha of new woodland created • Over 1500 ha of woodland brought into active management • Over 600 km of access routes created or upgraded • Urban Timber Initiative created 52 jobs, supported 41 companies

Where are we now? • Changing financial context – End of core funding from National bodies – Move to project support and Service Level Agreements • Changing policy context – Increasing emphasis on ‘key policy drivers’ (Health, Education, Economy, Climate Change) – New Performance Framework for Local Authorities – Local and Multi Area Agreements • Changing how the Forest works – More directly related to national and local policies – Emphasis on Green Infrastructure

Tourism Recreation and Leisure Land Biodiversity Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation Flood Alleviation and Water Management Economic Benefits of Green Infrastructure Quality of Place Health and Wellbeing Economic Growth and Investment Products from the Land Labour Productivity Land Property Values

Where are we now? • Changing financial context – End of core funding from National bodies – Move to project support and Service Level Agreements • Changing policy context – Increasing emphasis on ‘key policy drivers’ (Health, Education, Economy, Climate Change) – New Performance Framework for Local Authorities – Local and Multi Area Agreements • Changing how the Forest works – More directly related to national and local policies – Emphasis on Green Infrastructure – Business Plan

Developing and Promoting Green Infrastructure • Promoting GI in the Planning Process • Green Infrastructure Think Tank • Natural Economy North West

Green Infrastructure Planning • Greater Manchester GI Framework • Working with Environmental Sustainability and Salford West on GI planning • Croal Irwell Regional Park

Green Infrastructure Planning (cont) • Mosslands Project

Green Infrastructure Planning (cont) • Mosslands Project

Green Infrastructure Planning (cont) • Mosslands Project • Irwell River Park GI Plan

Green Infrastructure Planning (cont) • Mosslands Project • Irwell River Park GI Plan • Salford Tree Audit

Green Infrastructure Planning (cont) • • Mosslands Project Irwell River Park GI Plan Salford Tree Audit Local Climate Change Action Plan

Creating and Managing Green Infrastructure • Woodland Creation • Woodland Management – EWGS, Certification • Biodiversity Action

Creating and Managing Green Infrastructure • Newlands – LIVIA £ 3. 48 m so far, another 2 m to be spent

Creating and Managing Green Infrastructure • Newlands – LIVIA £ 3. 48 m so far, another 2 m to be spent • SSFG - The Meadows – RRF bringing £ 175 k+ to project • Green Streets - projects in Broughton and Cadishead

Timber, Biomass and renewables • Biomass • Timber Arisings

Partnership working and communications • GM Forest Network – Over 100 members – Skillshare Training – Forest-wide Projects e. g. Health Walks Festival, Forest Fever, Fruits of Red Rose Forest, Access & Involvement) • Universities & Colleges • External Communications – Publications – Website – Events

Securing and Managing Resources • Project Funding and resources – Over £ 40 m since 1994 • Private sector support – Work with large and small companies – Sponsorship – Green Corporate Days • Community Forests North West – Applying for grants – Acquiring Land – Employing staff

Key elements of Red Rose Forest • Partnerships • Flexibility • Change