Case Studies

WHPMG Pilot

The Woodland Harvesting, Processing and Marketing Grant (WHPMG) scheme was introduced by the Forestry Commission under the England Rural Development Programme in 2005. Two rounds of applications were invited, with total funding available of £600,000. It was decided that the scheme should be introduced on a pilot basis, with one pilot in the South East Region and the other taking in contiguous areas of the North East and Yorkshire & The Humber Regions.

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'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.

Northwoods Working with Newcastle University

Northwoods was approached early in 2008 about hosting a three-month MSc student placement, following on from our previous successful placements. Those three months have now come to an end, and our placement, Katie, is about to graduate from Newcastle with her Masters degree in Clean Technology.

Katie has been working on the waste stream as a current and potential fuel source for the biomass sector. We look forward to promoting her dissertation, and hope that it will be of great interest to the biomass sector across the UK.

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.

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.

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.

South East of England Wildfire 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.

Red Meat Export

RDI acted as Project Manager and banker to the Red Meat Industry Forum's Red Meat Export project.

The Red Meat Industry Task Group was set up in 2005 as part of the North East Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy.   The group is responsible for driving forward an agreed action plan designed to add or retain value for the livestock sector within the region, research export opportunities, stimulate integration of the red meat supply chain and improve efficiencies within livestock production and the supply chain.

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.