How can we utilise local woodland resources to stimulate inclusive and sustainable economic activity?

Who's using the woodland?

Dog walkers are regular and reliable users of the woodland. Most dog walkers love the sense of community with the regular visitors on their dog walks so they seemed a sensible place to find out what concerns and desires they have for their woodland. Interviews were conducted with two families with dogs of different ages. A woodland expert was also contacted for their opinions of how they believe woodlands can be improved.

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Key Findings: Interview 1

Participant 1 with the young dog is more concerned with the dogs needs as their dog is very excited so doesn't like to walk where there are too many people
Participant 2 is less concerned with dogs needs and more interested in getting varied views as walking has become mundane after walking every day for many years
Dog walkers have to go for walks despite the weather
Both take poo bins into considerations when walking if they know a particular location has lots

There’s not many considerations for disabled people with dogs
Want more things that attract their attention whilst walking in woodlands
Conflict between different users: non-dog owners might not want to walk where dogs are

Key Findings: Interview 2

Sense of community and ownership would definitely instil responsibility for a local woodland
Would download an app as long as there were enough perks for doing so
Could the app connect people?
Would pay for a local woodland on a subscription or donation basis but not for parking, whereas would pay for parking for a one-off trip
Participant 2 is motivated by sustainability
Would be very interested in volunteering
Participant 1 is not motivated by sustainability but is motivated by attractions and activities
Participant 1 sees walking as an outing
Neither would pay for an app if all they got was a map and events, need more motivation

Key Findings: Expert Interview

Using a private woodland reduces conflict of control over different entities
People feel little responsibility in woodlands as there is litter consequence for their actions
People should be discouraged from walking off the path as it can trample and damage plants on the ground

The main issue noted by both the expert and dog walkers was lack of respect of some woodland users, particularly with their dogs waste... So, how can we make people feel more responsible for the woodland and use woodland materials to help support the woodland?

The No-Waste Woodland

The Problem

It costs councils £22 million each year in emptying dog waste bins, where 78% of the waste goes to landfill and 19% is incinerated. Dog fouling also causes problems within the woodland itself and for visitors as it can spread many diseases and put people off from visiting.

The Proposal

A no-waste woodland that uses all timber waste to create attractions in the woodland and making paper bags for composting dog waste, which also reduces the amount of waste going to landfill. The system will be paid for through subscription to an app and for parking.

Developing the idea

The initial idea mainly focused on developing sustainable dog waste bags from the woodland material and the composting bins. A wormery is a very sustainable way of disposing of dog waste and provides material that can be reused within the woodland. This is where the idea of a "circular-system" came from where all material from the woodland are used to support it. The initiative is focused on regular visitors of the woodland who pay for membership to receive free dog waste bags and will encourage a sense of community which will increase visitors sense of ownership of the land.