2nd Feb Environment Wales- provide grants for projects throughout Wales. Their latest info pack can be downloaded here: EW Info pack English. Also their info for their Supporting Sustainable Living Grant Scheme: Information sheet 2012 SSL
26th Jan An interesting article on horse logging in community woodlands, written by Llais y Goedwig board member, and Chair of Blaen Bran Community woodland, David Williams- well worth a look! http://naturcymru.blogspot.com/2012/01/horses-and-community-woodland.html
23rd Jan Denmark Farm Conservation Centre have new courses for 2012, including ‘Make your own Pole Lathe’ and ‘Discovering Fungi’ – see their website for details.
19th Jan Glastir Woodland Management Grants are now open! Anyone managing woodland 0.5ha or more can apply- see HERE for details
13th Jan Size of Wales have a job opportunity for Education Outreach work to be undertaken in schools between January 2012 – January 2013. The work is home based and focused on schools within a region close to successful candidate. The Size of Wales aims to bring everyone in Wales together to help sustain an area of tropical forest the size of Wales as part of a national response to climate change. They have two key aims
a) awareness raising about the importance of tropical forests
b) engagement and fundraising for Size of Wales – to help protect an area the Size of Wales.
Deadline is January 17th- for more details see Education-Consultancy-Details-2012
13th Jan the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) have launched a reflection exercise that provides an opportunity for partners to engage in early stage development for any future European Programmes for Wales (Structural Funds, Rural Development and Fisheries). At this stage WEFO is seeking feedback on the strategic direction of the new programmes for 2014-2020; a more detailed public consultation on the programme priorities for funding will follow later in 2012. This is a crucial document/questionnaire directing priorities for EU funds from 2014, and we would welcome comments for a LlyG response, as well as encouraging groups to submit coments individually.
People are asked to respond to the specific questions accessible on the WEFO website by 27 January 2012 and responses should be sent to WEFO-Post2013Programmes@Wales.GSI.Gov.UK
13th Jan A new Communities Investment Fund (CIF) is to be launched on Tuesday 7 February 2012 by WCVA in North Wales at Morfa Hall, Rhyl. CIF will operate across the Convergence areas of Wales and any third sector organisation is eligible to apply for up to £250,000 from CIF provided the funding supports a project or activity that takes place in Convergence areas. The event on 7 February is free to attend, takes place between 11.30am and 1.30pm and will provide delegates with an opportunity to find out about CIF and how it can support third sector activities. The event will also include lunch and networking. If you would like any further information about the event or the Fund see WCVA CIF leaflet and Booking form – CIF launch, please contact the WCVA Helpdesk on 0800 2888 329 or email cif@wcva.org.uk
13th Jan A maternity cover full time post (for up to 11 months) as Policy Coordinator is becoming available at Wales Environment Link. Secondment opportunities will be considered. Salary: £23,223 pro-rata. Location: Baltic House, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff. A full job description, person specification and job application form can be downloaded from www.waleslink.org or requested from Claudia Jaques: email: claudia@waleslink.org , tel: 01970 611621, or post: Wales Environment Link, 27 Pier Street, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 2LN. Closing date:6th February 2012 (09.00) Interviews: 15th February 2012
14th Dec These are links to the findings from the national wellbeing survey,
organised by the Office of National Statistics, that may be of interest.
National statisticians Report on the National well-being Debate: http://digbig.com/5bffxd
Supplementary paper concerning the National well-being debate: http://digbig.com/5bffxe
Link to ONS Consultation paperon Draft domains and headline Indicators: http://digbig.com/5bffxf
Link to publication of experimental data on subjective well-being: http://digbig.com/5bffxg
9th Dec The Independent Panel on Forestry Progress Report Published
This panel was set-up to advise the Government on the future of England’s forests and woods and has just (8 December) published its progress report. You can read more about it HERE and download the report below
Independent-Panel-on-Forestry-Progress-Report
2nd Dec Community Energy Wales consultation
Community Energy Wales (CEW) aims to bring together the growing number of community energy schemes across Wales to form a single unified voice for this sector. They, together with the Commissioner for Sustainable Futures, are inviting all organisations and individuals involved in community energy schemes and those who support their aims to help shape the structure and function of this new emerging body.
The consultation is open till end 2011 and comments should be submitted to cew@cynnalcymru.com.
For further information, and to download the consultation letter please visit http://sustainwales.com/help-shape-future
29th Nov A Single Environment Body for Wales
The Environment Minister John Griffiths has taken the decision to create a single body to bring together the Forestry Commission Wales, Countryside Council for Wales and the Environment Agency Wales.
Over the last few months, a programme team made up of staff from the three bodies and Welsh Government have put together a business case to suggest the creation of a single body, and the Minister has now approved this. It is expected that the new body will be vested on the 1st April 2013.
A consultation on the role and functions of the new body will begin in January 2012, with the first public appointments to the new body in summer 2012.
To find out the latest information on the programme, please go to: www.wales.gov.uk/SEB
Nominate your Top Ten Wildlife Tourism sites There is currently an opportunity with Visit Wales to do this. This can be done via this link http://www.dmwales.com/?q=content/wildlife-tourism-wales-have-your-view-here or by completing this nomination form and returning to iangd@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Feed in to the Climate Change Commission’s Annual Review (through WCVA)
Follow this link to take part in the Commission’s online survey.
This survey allows you to feed in your views about the Welsh Government’s delivery on climate change during 2010/2011 against the Climate Change Strategy for Wales delivery plans (Adaptation Delivery Plan and Delivery Plan for emission reduction), wider sectoral delivery in 6 work areas, the role, effectiveness and delivery of the Climate Change Commission and the Commission’s annual review process.
The Commission will report publicly on its review at the end of January 2012.
For more information on the review, please contact Alison Pilling, CAG Consultants, on 01226 350853 or email ap@cagconsult.co.uk.
Coppicewood College still have places for their 6 month Woodland Skills Course for this year. The course is 2 days/ week and is a fantastic insight into the traditional craft of coppice work. For more info see HERE contact Bruce on 01239 881394 or email info@coppicewoodcollege.co.uk
Community Pathways provides independent and totally free information and guidance on (currently) 38 different community approaches to action on climate change with a (not exclusive) focus on energy issues. The website also provides links to a wide range of community examples in action and further resources and information that may also be of use. They would like feedback on their new website before 28th October. If you are able to help, please click on the ‘Welcome Testers’ button on the website’s home page, www.test.communitypathways.org.uk for full instructions of how to let them know what you think.
A Guide for third sector groups hoping to increase their funds through trading, has recently been published by WCVA. Titled It’s an idea, but is it a business?, the guide is aimed at groups who are planning to start trading or already do, and plan to use any profits to achieve sustainability or for another charitable purpose. It covers subjects such as getting started, business planning, the role of directors and financial monitoring.
The guide is available to download for free HERE
Two Forestry Commission Education Officer Job vacancies are available. See http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-54qfw5 – and please forward to anyone that may be interested.
Lorraine Jenkin Talks about writing, life in rural wales, being inspired by the landscape and getting published, most importantly having fun! For tickets email post@mocacymru.org.uk Moca Cymru 01597 860127 Lion House Studio, Newbridge on Wye, Mid Wales, 25 mins from Brecon, Sunday 16th Oct 5.30pm wine and cheese served!
FCW Children and Young People’s Photography Competition 2011
See this flier FCW photo Comp flyer
To celebrate the International Year of the Forest 2011 the Forestry Commission Wales’ Woodlands for Learning Team is launching a children’s and young people’s photography competition. The age groups and topics for the competition are:
- Under 11′s – ‘Wonderful Welsh Woodlands’
- 12-18 year olds – ‘Time’
For each age category, high street vouchers which can be used in a range of stores will be awarded (First prize – £100, Second prize – £75, Third prize – £50).
The first prize winning entrants for each age group will also win an education visit to a FCW woodland of their school’s choice for the entrants’ class. FCW will pay for a bus for the class to come out.
Closing date for entries: 18th November 2011.
The 38 Degrees team have a meeting with government’s forests panel this Friday to find out our priorities for protecting Britain’s forests in the future. Their members have spent the last few weeks attending get-togethers and sharing our ideas for the future of our forests and have worked out their three top demands from 38 Degrees members to the forests panel:
Keeping our forests in public ownership
Protecting the incredible variety of animals and plants that live in our forests
Making sure as many people as possible are able to enjoy our forests, including those who don’t have access to a car, or use a wheelchair, as well as those who want to ride horses or bikes
If you’re on board with these priorities, click to show your support by signing their new petition now – and it will be presented it to the panel on Friday:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/our-forest-panel-message
the European Citizens Climate Cup is a competition where households are encouraged to save as much energy as possible over a year – the winner will win £1,500 (to spend on saving further energy) and everyone who takes part will hopefully have lower energy bills. There is an online toolkit into which you enter your meter readings – an Energy Savings Account – and a website that will help point you in the right direction to save energy in the home. http://uk.theclimatecup.eu/
The Size of Wales project is recruiting for a new post- see Partnership Manager for the Size of Wales for details. The final date for applications is September 9th with interviews scheduled for September 13th and 14th
Info on Green volunteering is available HERE, with links to papers on some of the latest research on environmental volunteering, forestry related volunteering and volunteering in general.
New report out on woodfuel: South East Wales Woodfuel Supply – Final Report – July 2011
World Forests Youth Awareness Week Oct 2011 -
Do you know of a youth environmental organisations and groups from the UK who would be interested in organising a forest youth event in October this year? Look East Wild Earth (LEWE), a small UK charity promoting links with Eastern Europe, and Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) are looking for partner youth organisations to contribute to the UN international Year of the Forest.
Funding of between £100 and £1000 is available (depending on exactly what you want to organise) to organise lectures, film showings, forest-based events and workshops, and a website full of information on forests – both locally and globally. To express an interest in being a local partner on this project and/or to find out more please contact Katy Harris katy@lookeast.org.uk (01970 610104) or Gemma Tracey yee@lookeast.org.uk
Woodland Trust’s new Jubilee planting scheme. Details in the leaflet HERE
38° Campaign on Forest Sell off Following the campaign a few months ago the government abandoned their forest sell-off plans. After this they said they’d set up an “independent panel of experts” to help decide the future of our woodlands. Can you take 2 minutes to answer the panel’s questions now? The questions the panel are asking aren’t complicated and you don’t need to be an expert to answer them. Anybody who cares about our forests can have a say. They’re asking things like, “what do forests and woods mean to you?” There are five questions all together. But if you’ve only got time to answer one or two, that’s fine as well. https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/forests-panel
Gweithdy CCC – 17 Mai 2011
Grwpiau Cymunedol a Mentrau Cymdeithasol: Cyfleoedd yn ymwneud ag Ystâd Coetir Llywodraeth y Cynulliad
PIEF Workshop May 17 2011 Summary Report v2
Welsh Governement issues statement on Natural Environment Framework John Griffiths, Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development has issued the following statement on the WG’s environmental strategy. NEF update June 2011 English
World Forests Youth Awareness Week Oct 2011 -
Do you know of a youth environmental organisations and groups from the UK who would be interested in organising a forest youth event in October this year? Look East Wild Earth (LEWE), a small UK charity promoting links with Eastern Europe, and Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) are looking for partner youth organisations to contribute to the UN international Year of the Forest.
Funding of between £100 and £1000 is available (depending on exactly what you want to organise) to organise lectures, film showings, forest-based events and workshops, and a website full of information on forests – both locally and globally. To express an interest in being a local partner on this project and/or to find out more please contact Katy Harris katy@lookeast.org.uk (01970 610104) or Gemma Tracey yee@lookeast.org.uk
2nd June 2011 UK National Ecosystem Assessment report launched The UK’s parks, lakes, forests and wildlife are worth billions of pounds to the economy, says a major report. The UK National Ecosystem Assessment (UK NEA) is the first analysis of the UK’s natural environment in terms of the benefits it provides to society and continuing economic prosperity. The report is available from the NEA website http://uknea.unep-wcmc.org
2 Feb What makes you happy? The Office of National Statistics is undertaking a consultation on what to include in a new measure of well-being – do let them know what makes you happy. See /what-we-do/engage-with-policy/ for the link to the ONS consultation page.
15 Dec CAN Round4 open. Funding for up to 45% of costs for ‘Visitor facilities and wildlife attractions’. Closing date for initial applications 21 January 2011. See CCW page under Resources/Funding.
17 Nov Laura Ashley Foundation: deadline for applications 29th November for the current grants round.
15 Nov Focus on Forestry First: Funding for forestry businesses in Wales for training courses and workshops.
9 Nov Tidy Wales Woodland Improvement Award – apply by 19 Nov – £250 prize
3 Nov A Living Wales consultation on application of ecosystem approach to countryside management.
29 Oct Call for PQQ for WCVA/WEFO Engagement gateway for projects to create employment opportunities
29 Oct Woodland Carbon Code to facilitate trading in Welsh carbon credits to be launched early 2011
23 Oct Apply by 24 Nov for grants for Communties and Wildlife
21 Oct Launch of Glastir woodland creation grants
20 Oct WCVA letter to members on funding cuts Public_Exp_Cuts_WCVA_Engltr201010
15 Sep Launch of ‘A Living Wales’ consultation
10 Sep Size of Wales programme launched
