New funding is available for forestry businesses and conservation organisations in England to increase the area of woodland in active management.

The Woods into Management (WiM) Forestry Innovation Funds aim to restore England’s vulnerable woodland habitats and help woodlands adapt to a changing climate and recover from the impacts of pests and diseases.

Projects which successfully apply for funding through the second round of WiM funds will receive a share of £3 million, as the Forestry Commission aims to bring an additional 20,000 hectares of existing woodland in England into active management by 2024/25.

Under the umbrella of the overarching programme, the new Timber in Construction Innovation Fund will support projects which increase and facilitate the use of English timber from sustainably managed woods and forests in construction. Other funds will support new business models and supply chains for ash timber to help restore woodlands damaged by ash dieback, as well as for initiatives using temporary infrastructure to access neglected or degraded woodlands.

Moreover, a series of regional funds will support forward-thinking projects that enable the active management of woodlands where previously not possible. Applicants in the forestry and associated sectors, as well as local authorities, will be invited to submit multi-year proposals spanning up to three financial years (ending March 2025), with individual projects valued at up to £100,000 per year.

Applications must be submitted 9 May 2022 (23:55 BST).

How To Apply

The next deadline for applications is 9 May 2022 (23.55 BST).

Applications are made online.

For more information, visit the GOV UK website.