The Grown in Britain (GIB) team would like to encourage those who work in the construction industry to understand that the timber they use actually comes from trees, and their ultimate remit is to increase the use of home-grown timber across the British construction industry.
GIB have been forging links between industry and woodland owners, and a number of companies have expressed an interest in sending employees to work in woodlands for a day or so.
The next question is, which woods do they use?
This scheme is at a very early stage of discussion, but I would be really interested to hear whether any of you would be prepared to accept free help in your woodlands.
It might appeal to owners who have a large project in mind, such as clearing conifer to allow broadleaf regeneration, for example, or maybe you need help re-planting a large area. Perhaps a group of owners would like help upgrading a woodland track or ride, or maybe you have some coppice that needs work. It might just be a simple job like clearing and burning brash. If you have a management plan, you may well have a set of jobs lined up to achieve your long-term aims to manage your woodland.
Many of the volunteers would be construction site workers, therefore people who are used to working outdoors and have a quite a high level of practical skills. Depending on the woodland and the work, up to five or six volunteers could turn up for a day or half a day’s work in the woods.
It is likely that woodland owners would need to provide a scheme of work/list of jobs in order to utilise this help.
The questions of public liability insurance, aspects of health and safety and first aid would be dealt with by the volunteer companies – woodland owners would not be expected to pay for or provide this.
To reiterate, this is very much hypothetical at the moment, but if you are interested or have any comments, please let me know either in this thread or via email [email protected]. Thanks very much!
