The Wyre landscape is to undergo a dramatic restoration, thanks to a grant boost of nearly £2 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), announced by the Forestry Commission this week.

The ‘Grow With Wyre Landscape Partnership Scheme’, which is led by the Forestry Commission, has been set up to help restore the unique landscape of Wyre and celebrate its rich working history.

Years of industrialisation and increasing urban populations have had an impact on the Wyre landscape and left people disengaged from their natural heritage. Forgotten fruit varieties, historic crafts and rare native species are all at risk of becoming extinct without expert help.

The confirmation of the £1,846,000 grant means that the partners can now drive the project forward and ensure the long-term social, environmental and economic sustainability of the Wyre landscape.

As the work develops, the local community and visitors will start to notice new hedgerows, clearings and fences, freshly rolled bracken and new saplings appearing. Better habitats for creatures such as butterflies will be created and old orchards will also be brought back to life.

Anne Jenkins, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund for the West Midlands region, says:

“We’re delighted to fund this project in The Wyre Forest, which is right on the doorstep of almost 2 million people and provides wonderful opportunities to enjoy our natural heritage. Now more people from the local community and beyond will be able to make the most of this hugely diverse natural environment and get involved in learning more about it and importantly, how to support it.”

The ‘Grow With Wyre Landscape Scheme’ partners, the local community and visitors will all take an active role in restoring around 72 square kilometres of unique landscape through the delivery of 18 projects. Each project will be designed to manage the landscape character, heritage and biodiversity that make the Wyre Forest Landscape special.

There is also a plan for a new community discovery centre - Gateway to Wyre - next to the Forestry Commission's Wyre Forest Visitor Centre at Callow Hill, which will act as a first stop for information and community events.

Gail Atkinson, Project Manager for the Forestry Commission and the Wyre Forest Landscape Partnership, says:

“Many of England's trees, woods and forests are important for their historic and cultural value and Wyre is a great example of this. We’re really grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for their huge support, which means we can now start breathing new life back into the local landscape.

“This important scheme will help put Wyre Forest at the forefront of developing ways to deliver public benefit through landscape restoration.”

Much of the Wyre area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and many rare species of flora and fauna can be found there. The landscape consists of rolling hills, woodland, orchards and open water with picturesque valleys and is one of the largest areas of ancient semi-natural oak woodland in Britain.

The Wyre Forest's 73 square kilometres is all that survives of a wood that once stretched along the Severn Valley from Worcester to Bridgnorth.

The Forestry Commission is the lead partner in the ‘Grow With Wyre Landscape Partnership Scheme’, joined by Natural England, Shropshire County Council, Bewdley Development Trust, Butterfly Conservation, Worcester County Council, Wyre Forest Study Group, Wyre Community Land Trust, Wyre Forest District Council and The National Trust.

The remaining funding for the ‘Grow With Wyre Landscape Partnership Scheme’ has been provided by the project partners, together with nearly £300,000 from GrantScape and a further £73,000 from SITA Trust.

For more information about the Grow With Wyre projects please contact the project team or see the website www.forestry.gov.uk/growwithwyre

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NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Images of the Wyre Forest are attached. Higher resolution versions can be obtained by calling 015394-42436.

2. The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible for forestry in Great Britain. It supports woodland owners with grants; tree felling licences, regulation and advice; promotes the benefits of forests and forestry; and advises Government on forestry policy. It manages more than a million hectares (2.5 million acres) of national forest land for public benefits such as sustainable timber production, public recreation, nature conservation, and rural and community development. For further information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk. The Forestry Commission is the Lead Partner in the ‘Grow With Wyre’ Scheme.

3. The Grow With Wyre Landscape Partnership Scheme is being delivered by a partnership of the following organisations; Heritage Lottery Fund, Forestry Commission, Natural England, Wyre Forest District Council, Worcestershire County Council, Butterfly Conservation, Shropshire County Council, Wyre Forest Community Land Trust, Wyre Forest Study Group, National Trust and Bewdley Development Trust.

4. The Heritage Lottery Fund - Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 26,000 projects, allocating over £4billion across the UK, with over £290 million going to projects in the West Midlands. Website: www.hlf.org.uk

5. SITA Trust - SITA Trust was set up in 1997 and runs three funding programmes including Enriching Nature – for biodiversity projects within the vicinity of landfill sites in England. Each year, SITA Trust commits over £7 million nationwide through the Landfill Communities Fund, see www.sitatrust.org.uk. The Landfill Communities Fund (formerly the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme). Landfill tax was introduced in 1996 to encourage more sustainable ways of managing waste. The landfill tax legislation also brought about the Landfill Communities Fund. This scheme allows landfill operators to voluntarily donate 6.6% of their landfill tax liability to environmental improvement projects. The Landfill Communities Fund is independently regulated on behalf of HM Government’s Revenue & Customs by ENTRUST.

6. GrantScape - GrantScape has a ten-year environmental and community grant-making heritage. It is also a major funder of biodiversity projects across England and Wales, see www.grantscape.org.uk. Over the last three years, GrantScape has awarded £8 million through its Biodiversity Challenge Fund to twenty projects considered to deliver the most significant gains for the UK’s priority habitats and species. Grow with Wyre is one of the six recently-announced grant award winners under its 2007 Biodiversity Challenge Fund. The grant from GrantScape is also made available through the Landfill Communities Fund, using monies provided by Waste Recycling Group Ltd.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Gail Atkinson Wyre Forest Landscape Partnership/Forestry Commission on 01584-813822 or 07780-738859

Vicky Wilford, HLF press office, on; 020 7591 6046 / 07973 401937