Engaging Policy Makers
Being the voice of community woodlands in WalesWe believe it is really important that the voice of community woodlands is carried into discussions on the development of policies that affect the woodlands we know and love. We also believe we can do more for community woodlands in Wales if we come together and speak with a strong voice. Llais y Goedwig keeps abreast of what is happening in Welsh Government. Through the network, Llais y Goedwig looks to understand the concerns of the membership and to feed grassroots views into the policy debates in a timely and constructive way. Keeping abreast of policy developmentsLlais y Goedwig keeps up to date with policy developments by linking with other networks in Wales – such as Wales Environment Link (WEL) and Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) to get an early indication of what is coming up. Llais y Goedwig also keeps in contact with other key organisations that support community woodlands in the forestry sector. Where it makes sense, we join our voice to others – giving a community woodland perspective – whilst retaining the scope to make our own representations on matters of strong concern. |
Recent examples of policy engagementIt is important that any representations Llais y Goedwig makes to policy makers is based on real knowledge of community woodlands, either by consulting Llais y Goedwig members or by carrying out surveys to gather evidence of what is happening on the ground. See Llais y Goedwig partnerships for details on projects to date. Areas of policy development that we have engaged in recently include domestic firewood consumption in Wales, the future of grant funding streams such as Glastir and the setting up of Natural Resources Wales. Llais y Goedwig Board members also attend and report back on key policy consultation events, such as new schemes for Welsh Government grant funding. LlyG Members input into policy developmentThrough the network, Llais y Goedwig puts out regular policy updates on the evolving policy ‘landscape’ in Wales. The updates explain in plain language the key policy developments in the sector and any consultations members may wish to respond to. All members are welcome to feed in views – please contact Llais y Goedwig via the Network Coordinator, or follow the links to specific consultations on the Llais y Goedwig resource page – Participate in Government Woodland Policy. |