Knowsley Village Woodlands
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ICEP funding has helped unemployed people to £48,000 ICEP Mersey Forest Grant develop new skills as part of a project that has engaged large numbers of local people in the revitalisation of Knowsley Village Woodlands. ICEP funding has helped unemployed people to develop new skills as part of a project that has engaged large numbers of local people in the revitalisation of Knowsley Village Woodlands. The project was implemented via volunteers working with practical conservation charity BTCV. Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) apprentices from the Knowsley Landscape Apprentices Team (pictured), run by Green Apprentices, also gained valuable experience in hedge laying, coppicing and other skills through their role in a project which has seen 34 hectares of public access woodland improved, new signage installed and measures to reduce fly-tipping and vandalism put in place. "Knowsley’s community woodlands have benefited greatly from this project. Through practical woodland based training opportunities, a range of environmental improvements including fencing, re-stocking and woodland management works have all taken place, encouraging biodiversity and providing enjoyment for the whole community." Other community participation came from young people on Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council's Mayor's Award Scheme (similar to The Duke of Edinburgh's Award) as well as strong involvement from the Friends of Knowsley Village Woodlands and Little Woods of Stockbridge Association. A borough-wise awareness campaign including a widely distributed new leaflet was carried out to raise the profile of the woodlands and encourage increased usage of the sites, bringing additional health and education benefits.
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