Woodland Improvement Grant

 

Purpose

Woodland Improvement Grant (WIG) funds capital investment in woodlands, over an agreed period, to create, enhance and sustain an increase in the quantity and quality of public benefits delivered.

It is aligned with Defra’s Agri-environment Environmental Stewardship Higher Level Scheme (HLS).

Main criteria

• Paid as one or more contributions to the standard costs over a five-year agreement period.
• Regional discretionary grant. 
• In due course, the criteria for the grant may change to meet regional priorities.
• Initial contribution rate is 50-80% of the agreed costs depending on the fund and region.
• No pre-determined eligible activities. These must be responsive to the potential of the woodland.
• Regional Forestry Frameworks (RFF) will focus WIG on projects and activities that meet National and Regional programmes and priorities.

Types of WIG funds:

• Woodland Biodiversity Action Plan (including a specific measure for Red squirrels)
• Woodland Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Condition Improvement
• Woodland Public Access

There are also regionally specific grants that have been developed to meet priorities identified in the Regional Forestry Frameworks. To find out what is available in your region your should go to the regional pages or contact your local FC office.

Documentation