The Sylva Foundation has launched a new web-based service that aims to support the mapping and sustainable management of woodlands, and provides a platform for marketing products from local woodlands.

MyForest offers:

Online woodland account and management planning facility

Woodland owners or agents can sign up to create a free woodland management planning account. A simple Geographical Information System (GIS) based on Google maps and aerial photography enables users to map the boundaries of their woodlands and individual compartments. Inventory information can then be entered relating to each compartment.
The myForest management plan is available as a PDF document that can be saved, emailed or printed. The plan is based on the Forestry Commission England’s management planning template, ensuring the myForest management plan is compatible with the EWGS woodland planning grant requirements.

Free promotion of your business to the local woodchain

Forestry businesses are able to create a free account, and then detail their location on the business directory map. Many businesses have signed up in the South East to promote their products and services, these include woodland contractors, sawmills, woodfuel merchants etc. Users of myForest are then able to search for business by category in their region.

Web-maps of woodlands, products and businesses

Owners or their agents can make woodlands ‘visible’ on the ‘Woodland Resource’ map. If they are visible potential customers can contact owners/agents to enquire about woodland products. The woodland owner remains anonymous until they decide to respond to any expression of interest.
On the ‘Wood Market’ map, account holders can market timber and wood either as standing trees, roadside lots, or processed products.

The SYLVA Foundation would like to thank the Forestry Commission South East for their support of the myForest project. They would also welcome suggestions as to how the site can be improved and hope the service can be of benefit to woodland owners and forestry businesses alike in the South East region.
www.myForest.org.uk

A further article by Alistair Yeomans, the Director of Forestry at Sylva Foundation, is available here.