woodlands tour

Rory spent a day with the Forestry Commission investigating its role in the management of woodlands in his constituency. Following a tense national debate on the issue earlier this year, Rory has now met with representatives of Save Lakeland’s Forests, the National Trust, and the Forestry Commission in an attempt to get a detailed picture of forestry operations in Penrith and the Border.

The Forestry Commission visit included stops at both private and public woodland sites, and included an in-depth briefing on operations across the constituency. Beginning at Coombs Wood near Armathwaite, Rory also visited privately-owned land at Nelson Hill and at Naworth Estate.

Rory said: “This visit has been invaluable in helping me to really understand the enormous depth of work that the Forestry Commission undertakes in Cumbria. I have seen at first-hand the importance of its work, not only in terms of environmental protection, but in the subtle relationships that exist between our native woodlands and our communities. I am so impressed at the knowledge that FC staff have. Whilst our woodlands have been saved, there remain some issues over the future of our forests, and a deeper understanding now will enable me to better fight for their survival and protection in the future.”