20 April 2010
The Isle of Wight’s woodland industry is set to receive invaluable support thanks to a new collaborative project between the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership (IWEP) and the Isle of Wight’s Area of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB).
Graham Biss, Chief Executive of the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership said “The aim of the project is to increase the economic and environmental value of the Island’s woodlands, addressing both the supply and demand chains of local woodland products.”
Graham continued “Much of the Island’s woodland has been under developed as markets for timber on the Island are very limited; but with more businesses and communities choosing biomass as a source of heat, it provides a boost for the rural economy with jobs being created, from foresters and hauliers to wood fuel suppliers and boiler installers”.
A part-time project officer, Danny Horne joins the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership to help deliver the project and to work with local professionals and businesses to encourage the use of Island woodland products. His main focus will be to promote the economic and environmental benefits to key decision-makers and to identify the Island’s economic woodland activities and potential.
Fiona Hanna, AONB Lead Officer said “There is a lot of under developed woodland on the Island, but by managing these areas for production, landowners could generate an income and improve biodiversity. Locally-grown wood fuel is a low carbon alternative to fossil fuels and will help the environment locally, by improving wildlife through woodland management. Wood fuel boilers are suitable for a whole range of larger, commercial and community buildings, and we want more people to consider this traditional fuel as a future energy source.”
A dedicated website for the Isle of Wight’s Woodland industry supports this project and is now live to view. The website offers information to both Isle of Wight consumers, helping them to make informed choices about the purchase of local woodland products, and to the woodland owners to find local contractors to manage their woodlands in a sustainable and economic fashion whilst protecting biodiversity.
If you would like further information on this project, or would like your business to be included in the on-line directory please contact Danny Horne at danny.horne@iwep.com or call Danny on 01983 535883
