Here’s to the future! Three months ago I left my long time job at Confor to join the merry band of innovators and creative thinkers at Evolving Forests. I suppose it was a step sideways. A way to take the proverbial foot off the throttle of forestry policy development and political engagement. To free up time and thinking space. To engage more at a local level and get back to my roots of forestry and timber supply chain development, innovation and resilience.
So, as I cut the apron strings and stepped into a brave new world. It felt a bit like I was locked in a darkened room. Careering around with my hands in the air bouncing off the walls!
Then, things started to clear. I began getting to grips with the wide range of projects that we are involved with.
This will suit you!
…say my erstwhile and new colleagues.
It’s a Woods into Management, Forestry Innovation Fund project working with the Woodland Trust on Dartmoor, looking at whether timber grown on Dartmoor can be used in a range of building regulation compliant products, to be showcased to architects.
…ears pricked, interest piqued…I’m in!
A bit of background.
Woodlands cover nearly 12,000 hectares of Dartmoor National Park. However, very little woodland has been created on Dartmoor in the past 27 years. And none of it has been commercial conifer. Despite good intentions, there hasn’t been a coordinated or strategic approach to timber resource management and maintenance on Dartmoor. Thanks to the WiM FIF from the Forestry Commission we now have a good understanding of the age, structure and quality of the woodlands on Dartmoor. This includes stocks of good quality commercial conifer, notably Douglas fir and some quality hardwood. Currently 90% of conifer timber leaves the region and most broadleaf timber becomes firewood.
We needed to address some of the pragmatic issues that local businesses face in order to encourage greater processing and use of Dartmoor’s timber locally. This would include improving industry’s understanding of the multi-purpose uses of quality local hardwoods. Stimulating local markets through product innovation and improving supply chain resilience and capacity.
Great ideology, but how do we actually do this?
How do we challenge long entrenched behaviour towards the use of locally grown timber, particularly hardwoods?
We do what the region does best! …we innovate. Tapping into the knowledge, experience and inspiration of local businesses that make up the forestry and timber supply chain to create a local, circular woodland economy. Hoorah!
And, that’s what we’ve done. The Woodland Trust has undertaken a harvesting programme to put three species into the market testing mix – Beech, Alder and Western hemlock. Using contractors and businesses local to the woodland, the timber has been felled (Dartmoor Horse Loggers). And then transported by haulier Devon Oak to UK Hardwoods mill to be sawn to a range of specifications and kiln dried. The sawn timber will be made into prototype flooring and cladding by UK Hardwoods, glulam beams and finger joints by Buckland Timber, window frames, internal and external doors by Bowden and Tucker Joinery.
The whole process is being documented and filmed by Alice Carfrae and Christian Kay (Transfixus Creative), to create a case for support that will demonstrate the ecological, carbon and financial benefits of woodland management.
Finally
We will showcase the ‘Dartmoor Sourced, Dartmoor Made’ products with local industry and agencies at trade shows. And we’ll explore the uses, designs and marketing for the products with local architects.
In addition to this, an article will be produced for the architecture magazine Annular by the well known architecture journalist and critic, Oliver Lowenstein.
All in all, I have to say that I’m pretty excited about whether this will work or not. Early indications are that the timber has milled beautifully. Working with local businesses is so rewarding. Their integrity and drive is remarkable. I’ve always said that the forestry and timber industry is as much about the people that populate our world as the trees that we are so passionate about.
This is just one of the projects we’re undertaking at the moment. To find out more about us and what we do you can check out our portfolio page of recent project, or just get in touch hello@evolvingforest.com.
Love Caz.
