Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2009 | Page 67

COUNTRYSIDE, WILDLIFE & FARMING

life

Photo: IW America woods by Keith Huggett Below: IW butterfly courtesy of Island Breaks
ancient woodland for the enjoyment of all and

needs to be embraced by our owners of

the benefit of wildlife. But we should recognise

small woodlands. As for the areas of scrubby

the economic value of our woods, too. By so

woodland on the island; if they were used

doing, we will see an invigoration of planting

to generate woodchip – an environmentally-

programmes, and the active management which

friendly and highly efficient heating fuel – these

promotes wildlife, provides jobs and yields a

areas could be transformed into well-managed

supply of materials which are renewable and

coppice, boosting the local economy and

reduce our impact on the environment.

creating an environment for wildlife to thrive.

There are encouraging signs – the JIGSAW
initiative (Joining and Increasing Grant Scheme

David Langford is Isle of Wight regional

for Ancient Woodland) is set to enter a new

director of the Country Land and Business

phase after its initial success. On the Island

Association (CLA). The CLA has been looking

it was used to link isolated woodlands to

after the interests of its members, as well

assist the spread of red squirrel and other rare

as promoting the positive aspects of land

species. Between 2001 and 2006, 34 owners

ownership and land management, for the

planted more than 210 hectares of woodland.

past 100 years. CLA members own or manage

So far 22 ancient woods have been linked and

approximately half the rural land in England

many more have been expanded, improving

and Wales. www.cla.org.uk

their core area of woodland. It is
also great to see that the Forestry
Commission has ambitious plans to
develop Parkhurst Forest, the first
phase of which has begun.
We still need to do more if we are
to maximise the benefits of woodland
to the island, however. There are too
many under-managed small areas
of woodland which are uneconomic
to work, and this is why JIGSAW
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