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Seeing the wood for the trees
Friday听8 April
Dylan Winter explores the sustainability of British forestry with Brian Walker from the Forestry Commission.
Sustainable forestry in Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire.
Timber is a vital resource to any economy, but forests have always been valued from much more than just their profitability.
Sustainable forestry has been in the spotlight for over a decade and after the World Summit on sustainable development in 2002, the way UK forestry is managed has been changing.
Today, there is worldwide recognition that private and publicly owned forests play a broader role beyond just the cash value of their timber.
There are environmental and social benefits too.听 But it involves managing and changing the forest plantations that arose after two world wars to fit today's needs.
The UK Forestry Commission is designing the forests of the future. Gone are the days of blanket clear-cutting of plantations.
Methods are now in place to cut smaller areas, create "edges" and corridors which will allow forests to re-seed more naturally and offer a habitat and networks for plants and animals to move between.
These new forestry methods should ensure that the environment is protected whilst maintaining a sustainable product that supports local economies as well as people's livelihoods and wellbeing.
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