Case Studies

South East of England Widlfire Group - enabling partnership working

The South East of England Wildfire Group (SEEWG) exists to provide a regional partnership approach to tackling the growing risk of wildfire. The regional group brings together three landscape scale working areas for operational delivery; New Forest, Home Counties and Ashdown Forest.

Northumberland Fire Group

Northumberland Fire Group is a coming together of the public and private sectors to tackle the increasing threat of large wildfires in rural parts of Northumberland. Members of the group include landowners, land agents, public sector bodies, farmers and in fact anyone with an interest in wildfire. At the request of Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, RDI put together a plan for the creation of the Fire Group and then set about the long and complicated task of assembling the funding package to make the project work.

Great Yorkshire Show Forestry Arena - delivered by RDI

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society, organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show, have contracted Rural Development Initiatives (through Yorwoods, the Yorkshire woodland initiative hosted by RDI) to manage the forestry arena at the Great Yorkshire Show since 2005. The Great Yorkshire Show is one of the UK’s premier agricultural shows, with an annual attendance of over 130,000 and a reputation for high quality exhibits, competitions and displays.

RDI Research Leading the Way

As part of the support offered to the forestry and biomass sectors, RDI undertook a study of the contribution of biomass to the economy of north east England.

The research, carried out by RDI as part of the region’s NEWHeat project and backed by One North East and the Forestry Commission, also suggests that ultimately, in terms of economic value, biomass could become the most important solid fuel for heating.

RDI's Woodfuel Expertise assisting Kirklees

Like many local authorities, Kirklees Council is actively looking at ways to reduce its carbon footprint across its extensive property holdings, whilst at the same time owning large areas of woodland, many of which despite providing significant public amenity, were largely unmanaged and thus in declining condition. Recognising that there was an opportunity to solve two problems at once, Kirklees engaged RDI to undertake a survey of its woodlands, make recommendations for management and provide an estimate of the potential woodfuel resource.

Woodfuel Producer Groups

RDI operates two woodfuel producer groups in England and has advised on the establishment of several more.  Producer groups are increasingly being realised as a key tool in bringing the benefits of expanding woodfuel markets to small businesses, farmers and other woodland owners, RDI are providing strong leadership in the field of supply chain co-operation.

Consultancy for the East of England

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Deer Management in Northumberland

During the summer of 2007 Adam Bedford, an MSc student at Newcastle University’s Centre for Rural Economy, undertook at research project on Deer Management in Northumberland.  Adam undertook the research through a placement jointly funded by Northwoods and Northumberland National Park as part of his MSc in Rural Development and Resource Management.

RDI - A voice for the rural sector

RDI has strong practical experience in a number of fields, and this gives us a strong voice when lobbying on behalf of the rural sector. We pride ourselves on our innovative and independent way of thinking, underpinned by the highest standards of logical rigour and methodology in carrying out research.

North East Regional Forest Strategy

RDI have been commissioned by the Forestry Commission to manage the process of monitoring and coordinating the production of the North East Regional Forestry Strategy from 2006 onwards.  As well as playing a key role in delivering projects on the ground, the Forestry Commission recognised RDI’s abilities to coordinate the complex process of data collection, partner engagement and the preparation and publication of the annual Implementation Plan.