The Process
Timeline
The process really started back in 2014 when Welcome to Our Woods was first established by community members to nurture local relationships with the surrounding landscape. Since then much has happened! Including many shared conversations about the land.
Scroll right on the timeline to see events that have led to the co-design group forming.
Nov,2014- Sep,2015
- Nov,2015
- Apr,2018
- Nov,2019
Sep,2020- Apr,2021
- May,2021
- Sep,2021
Welcome To Our Woods formally established
Welcome To Our Woods formally established as a not-for-profit limited company (WTOW LTD).Stories of Change project [full report available here]
The Stories of Change project collected stories of energy and landscape from 500 local people in Treherbert at the Story Studio, which was a temporary space hosted at the Old Library.
Actif Woods
Actif Woods was set up in Rhondda Cynon Taf to explore how woodlands can be made more accessible for people with chronic physical and mental health conditions.
Community micro hydro scheme launched
The project was developed and funded through a partnership between WTOW Ltd and Llangattock Green Valleys.
Skyline feasibility study [full report available here]
Skyline feasibility study published, which explored the possibilities for land stewardship across Caerau, Treherbert, and Ynysowen.
Rhondda Skyline project begins
Rhondda Skyline begins an engagement phase, with the goal of demonstrating a high level of community interest in community land stewardship in the Upper Rhondda Fawr.
Forest co-design plans
Welcome To Our Woods, Natural Resources Wales and Green Valleys agree on a co-design process for the forests surrounding Treherbert.
Crop Cycle
Work begins on building the Crop Cycle vertical farming system at the old Tappers garage site. This is a Welsh Government funded project with several community organisations working in partnership, including Welcome To Our Woods. The aim of the farming system is to increase the availability of local food.
The Co-Design Process Begins
First introductions happen at the Railway Canteen in Treherbert.
Session Summaries
The co-design process has allowed for a different kind of conversation to happen between representatives of Natural Resources Wales and representatives of the Upper Rhondda Fawr communities. For 8 weeks, both NRW and about 50 community members worked in partnership to create a set of visions and values for the forests of the area, that became known as the Future Forest Vision. The meetings were facilitated by the Welcome to Our Woods team, Chris from Green Valleys CIC, Rox and Noreen from Co-production Network Wales, and Richard from Citizens Cymru. They were documented by Cam and Mike from Mud and Thunder.
Richard from Natural Resources Wales took part in every meeting and in week 8 presented the latest Forest Resource Plan (which are developed every 10 years) to outline where it reflected the Future Forest Vision. As with every meeting, there was an open dialogue and opportunities for learning and feedback.
Some of the co-design members also formed a tracks and trails working group.
The Partnership Making New Tracks
The Partnership Making New Tracks In December 2021, several local residents met with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Ramblers Cymru to agree a plan for improving the tracks and trails on the landscape surrounding Treherbert. The residents are members of a group that has been meeting regularly with Natural Resources Wales to complete a visioning…
that focused on access, recreation, history
and heritage.
Forest Resource Plan
The below document gives a brief description of how the community’s Future Forest Vision is reflected in NRW’s latest Forest Resource Plan.