ECCB Ecofriendlyness grant goes to National School of Forestry carbon off-set and biodiversity restoration project

"We’re looking at the whole system – not just carbon in the trees but also in the soil, and there are biodiversity benefits too; it isn’t just about quickly growing some spruce!"

A bid from the University of Cumbria's National School of Forestry has been selected by the Board as a partial off-set for the European Congress of Conservation Biology which was held in Prague in 2009. The bid to establish a new native oakwood at Greenah Crag on the University’s estate was led by the National School of Forestry’s Dr Andrew Weatherall, Dave Atkinson and Dr Owen Nevin.

Ninety percent of Atlantic oakwoods, Europe’s temperate rainforest, are found in western UK. High rainfall and humidity throughout the year due to the oceanic climate means these are internationally important for the number and abundance of rare lower plant species. This habitat has the European Special Area of Conservation designation (Natura 2000 network). This project will demonstrate how combining funds from carbon offset projects with state funding for afforestation can increase native woodland cover in Cumbria, England and the UK. The increase in native woodland will have conservation benefits for a range of woodland flora and fauna.