COED CYMRU Bringing Welsh Woodlands into Sustainable Management Bringing Welsh Woodlands into Sustainable Management
Bringing Welsh Woodlands into Sustainable Management
HOMEABOUT USWOODLANDSPRODUCTSTIMBER STOCKSINNOVATIONEVENTSREPORTSLINKS
Annual Reports  |  Information Sheets


REPORTS

CYMRAEG


FACTSHEET - ENGLISH


Aims - Coed Cymru promotes the use, protection and enhancement of broadleaved woodlands. Woodland Officers provide free help and advice to woodland owners and hardwood users. Officers are based in every County Council and National Park. Central Office is in Tregynon, near Newtown, Powys.

Advice aims to provide income from grants and timber sales; timber for use on the farm; shelter for livestock and game; habitats for plants and animals; recreation for local people and visitors; employment in rural communities.

Origins - Since the arrival of cheap imported hardwoods into Wales in the 19th Century, neglect and plunder have caused a decline in native broadleaved woodlands. Of the original post glacial forest area, only 3% still carries broadleaved trees. Studies in the late seventies and early eighties showed that 80% of that remnant showed no significant regeneration; it was literally dying on its feet.

In response to this crisis, Government agencies, Local Authorities, industry and the voluntary sector came together in 1985, under the name Coed Cymru, to promote a campaign of public awareness spearheaded by locally based project officers who would provide free help and advice to woodland owners, community groups and hardwood users. Their purpose was to re-establish the traditions of woodland husbandry and local timber use in Wales. The first was appointed in September 1986 and there are currently 17 employed throughout Wales (see Contact Points for names and telephone numbers).

Coed Cymru was originally established with grant aid from the Countryside Commission. It is currently funded by the Countryside Council for Wales, The Forestry Commission, WLGA Welsh Local Government Association, the Environment Agency, the Welsh Assembly Government and the World Wide Fund for Nature. The Management Committee of Coed Cymru is made up of representatives from these organisations. The charitable functions of research and education are managed by the board of Coed Cymru Cyf, a “not for profit” charity established by the partners in 1989.

Since 1986 some 26,000 hectares of woodland management and tree planting projects have been instigated. These include many community based projects as well as large projects on public land. This concept of a 'one-stop' shop for technical advice and grant aid, focussing the expertise of all the participating organisations, is the basis of Coed Cymru.

Marketing and Promotion - Coed Cymru is actively promoting the use of local hardwoods produced from managed woodlands to re-establish the economic viability of broadleaved woodlands.

All of the County Councils in Wales, the National Parks and many other bodies in the public and private sector now specify Welsh hardwoods in countryside and building projects. Coed Cymru is represented at all major agricultural shows in Wales, at many local ones and also at the National Eisteddfod. Timber products made from Coed Cymru managed woodlands are eligible to carry the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo.

Coed Cymru, The Old Sawmill,
Tregynon, Newtown,
Powys SY16 3PL
Tel 01686 650 777