Forestry brings more than £1bn worth of social and environmental benefits to people in Britain every year, according to a pioneering report from the Forestry Commission.
The study, the first to provide a comprehensive picture of the economic benefits of forestry, shows recreation and biodiversity are the most highly-valued benefits of woodlands, each making up almost 40% of the total. The average value of recreational woodland visits was estimated at £1.66 per trip.
Forestry minister Ben Bradshaw said: “Well-managed forests are a vital resource in providing wide-ranging benefits in addition to the value of woodland products such as timber. The findings of this study confirm that society places a huge value on these benefits.”
|
“Well-managed forests are a vital resource in providing wide-ranging benefits in addition to the value of woodland products such as timber” |
|
Forestry minister Ben Bradshaw |
The report was carried out by a team of environmental economists led by Newcastle University.
