WE refer to your story (February 28, ‘Free firewood is barking mad’ says local group).
As the organisation behind the Logs for Labour scheme, we can assure you that we take the conservation of Oxfordshire’s woodlands extremely seriously and would not wish to be associated with any activity which jeopardises local biodiversity.
For Ivan Wright, the chairman of volunteer conservation group Shotover Wildlife, to suggest that wildlife is being “badly compromised” is completely untrue – indeed good management of woodland areas is essential if they are to be protected for future generations.
Ivan Wright
Activities such as coppicing at Brasenose Woods and the removal of small trees at Shotover to encourage the regeneration of the heathland habitat are fully compliant with Forestry Commission national guidelines and have the approval of Oxford City Council, which owns the sites.
Far from damaging the environment, this scheme is playing a leading role in setting new environmental standards for future woodland management. Indeed, its formula of helping to support woodland owners to manage their woods while supplying local people with local logs in return for their labour with hand tools has been so successful that it has already been adopted elsewhere in the UK.
Logs for Labour, which is part of the Oxfordshire Woodfuel Programme supported by TOE2, with funds from the Esme Fairbairn Foundation, the Forestry Commission and Oxfordshire County Council, is a highly-respected scheme and one which we believe will continue to promote biodiversity in Oxfordshire’s woods for years to come.
KAREN WOOLLEY Chairman
Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment (TOE2)
Worton
Witney
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