Sheffield Lakeland Landscape Conservation Action Plan

2.2. Successful Working
A number of projects and approaches have been completed in recent years that
support the key aims of this strategy and serve as examples of best practice:
The Woodland Discovery Centre
The award winning JE Graves Woodland Discovery Centre funded through the JE
Graves Trust and operated in partnership with Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust
continues to provide the focal point for our education offer for the city. Six businesses
operate from the Centre and woodland ceremonies and parties are now carried out in
several venues. A growing programme of woodland based crafts and courses are also
available.
Making Tracks
This programme has seen the development of several exciting mountain bike tracks
around the city alongside user engagement and involvement. The momentum for this
work has led to new partnerships and projects which have been crowd funded and
supported by companies including Go Outdoors and Vulcan Engineering in particular
in Parkwood Springs and Lady Canning’s Plantation with plans to extend into other
areas of the city, e.g. Redmires.
Roots of Iron
In partnership with the Friends of Wincobank Hill we have been delivering a joint
project aiming to involve young people and to celebrate the unique ancient history of
the site. The project aims to re-connect young people with the woodland site and to
celebrate its unique heritage as a former iron-age hillfort. The ‘Light Up the Hill’ event
was particularly well attended.
2.3. Using and Enjoying the Tree and Woodland Resource
Many people find a green environment relaxing. Research has been carried out in this
field for many years and provides clear clinical evidence that such surroundings reduce
stress and negative emotions, such as anger. In Sheffield, trees enhance the
recreational experience available on people’s doorsteps, in streets, parks, woodlands
and open spaces. Recently published research has identified the wellbeing benefits
gained by different groups within society through engaging with and accessing
woodlands and forests in Britain 8 . A range of projects, interventions and design
principles have been determined that are particularly effective at realising
improvements in the health and wellbeing of people.
In their final report the Independent Panel on Forestry who advised government on
the future direction of forestry and woodland policy stated:
We want as many people as possible to be able to access green space
including woodlands, for exercise, leisure and recreational purposes
8 O’Brien, L. & Morris, J. (2014) Well-being for all? The social distribution of benefits gained from woodlands
and forests in Britain, Local Environment 19 pp 356-383.
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