Cumbria's woodlands are an integral part of the County's beautiful landscapes and provide unique habitats rich in native plants and wildlife.  Once an important source of timber that fuelled the industrial revolution in Cumbria and supported a thriving rural economy, many of these woods became neglected after World War II.  Grazing of the woods by sheep and deer has prevented natural regeneration and many woods have become open and are gradually disappearing.

Cumbria Woodlands is striving to re-integrate these woodlands with the rural economy by stimulating active management that will produce timber, generate jobs and enhance conservation, landscape and recreation value.

Cumbria Woodlands was launched in 1991 in response to widespread concern over the neglected state of the County’s woodlands.  The project brief was originally for five years, but the organisation has moved forward with the constantly changing funding environment.  However, the partnership has remained a strong one over the years.  Current support comes from Cumbria County Council, the European Social Fund (ESF), the Forestry Commission, GreenWays to Work, the Lake District National Park Authority, Natural England and the Woodland Trust.  We currently have a team of three to deliver our work programmes.

The work of Cumbria Woodlands today focuses on developing wood fuel supply and demand and promoting appropriate woodland management, and falls into four main areas:

·          Provision of free help and advice to woodland owners focusing particularly on ecologically important woodlands.

·          Promoting the benefits of using wood as a sustainable source of energy thus driving woodland management.

·          Developing deer management within the county so that woodlands can thrive.

·          Providing accessible, high-quality training in a variety of areas that helps to ensure that woodlands are well managed.

In addition to the above organisations, our Advisory Group is made up of representation from the Friends of the Lake District, Wood Education Programme Trust, Country Land & Business Association, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and the University of Cumbria's National School of Forestry.