Financial incentives are being offered to farmers and landowners to help create new woodlands on their land.
Applications have opened for the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO), which will be administered by the Forestry Commission, to encourage landowners and land managers. The multi-million pound scheme will make £15.9 million available in its first year and enhanced payments rates.
It will give greater recognition of the public and environmental benefits that woodlands can bring by providing additional incentives to ensure the right trees are planted in the right locations.
Landowners and farmers will be supported in the creations of a range of woodland types and sizes including along rivers to improve water environment and natural colonisation.
The EWCO will support the creation of more than 10,000 hectares of new woodland and can cover 100 per cent of eligible standard capital costs of woodland creation and maintaining the trees for 10 years.
Additional contributions will be available for nature and species recovery; tree planting near watercourses; reduced risk flooding; improved public access; social and environmental benefits and improved water quality.
Forestry Commission chair, Sir William Worsley said: “This improved grant gives everyone the opportunity to see woodland creation as a financially and environmentally rewarding option. This will help with our journey to reach net zero by 2050.”
LSL News.