An evaluation of Cydcoed: the social and economic benefits of using trees and woodlands for community development in Wales Final Report for Forestry Commission Wales November 2008 Social & Economic Research Group Environmental & Human Sciences Division Forest Research The Research Agency of the Forestry Commission, Great Britain This report was prepared by: Roz Owen, Forest Research, with John Powell, Matt Reed, Carol Kambites and Nick Lewis of the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI). Acknowledgements • Forestry Commission Wales and Corporate Forestry Support for funding the research • The Cydcoed delivery team, for their support and input throughout the project: Barbara Anglezarke, Bob Griffiths, Mark Proctor, Ben Reynolds, Alan Underwood, Steve Crosby, Ben Maxted, Rob Seymour and Michelle Jones. • The many groups and individuals involved in Cydcoed projects who gave their time and knowledge through interviews, focus groups, site visits and surveys. • Andrew Peace, Economics and Statistics, Corporate Forestry Support and Gregory Valatin, Social and Economic Research Group, Forest Research for their advice and comments • Forestry Commission Wales staff who gave their time and knowledge through interviews and discussions. - 2 - Contents Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................2 Contents...................................................................................................................3 List of tables .............................................................................................................6 Executive Summary ...............................................................................................8 Section 1: Background to the project ....................................................................17 1.1 Introduction.................................................................................................17 1.2 Wales: the strategic context for Cydcoed...................................................18 1.3. FCW: the strategic context for Cydcoed.....................................................20 1.4 Objectives of evaluation .............................................................................22 1.5 Methods and indicators ..............................................................................23 Section 2: Thematic research............................................................................31 2.1 The Cydcoed programme: development, positioning, structures, skills partnerships and processes ...............................................................................31 Internal positioning of Cydcoed..............................................................................32 Cydcoed team structure .........................................................................................36 Cydcoed team skills ...............................................................................................39 Assessing the need for a Cydcoed project.............................................................40 Cydcoed processes................................................................................................45 Managing risk.........................................................................................................47 Managing change...................................................................................................48 Managing land ownership ......................................................................................49 Cydcoed and partnership working..........................................................................51 Cydcoed Group Status...........................................................................................54 2.2 Measuring the impact of Cydcoed intervention ....................................57 Sample characteristics ...........................................................................................57 2.3 Health and Well-being benefits ...............................................................60 Key findings............................................................................................................60 Background ............................................................................................................60 Indicator HWB1: Public involvement in physical activity in woodland ....................62 Indicator HWB2: public perception of health and wellbeing in relation to woodland ...............................................................................................65 Examples from the case studies ............................................................................66 Health and well-being values .................................................................................67 2.4 Social and human capital benefits..........................................................69 Key findings............................................................................................................69 Background ............................................................................................................69 Indicator SHC1: Public involvement in woodland decision making........................71 Indicator SHC2: Public involvement in events and other community activities ......72 Indicator SHC3: Changes in community trust and wellbeing .................................74 Case study examples.............................................................................................77 2.5 Education and learning benefits.............................................................79 Key findings............................................................................................................79 Background ............................................................................................................79 Indicator EL1: improved education and learning opportunities provided................80 - 3 - Indicator EL2: benefits of participating in a woodland learning activity ..................82 Case study examples.............................................................................................84 Educational and learning values ............................................................................88 2.6 Recreational benefits ...............................................................................90 Key findings............................................................................................................90 Background ............................................................................................................91 Indicator RA1: the use of Cydcoed project woodlands for recreational purposes..91 Indicator RA2: improved recreational facilities provided ........................................94 Case Study examples ............................................................................................95 Recreational values................................................................................................96 2.7 Environmental benefits..........................................................................101 Key findings..........................................................................................................101 Background ..........................................................................................................101 Research findings ................................................................................................102 Environmental values...........................................................................................103 2.8 Employment and local economy...........................................................105 Key findings..........................................................................................................105 Background ..........................................................................................................106 Indicator ELE1: Use of woodland to create employment .....................................109 Indicator ELE2: Woods that provide long term economic benefits.......................109 Case Study examples ..........................................................................................110 Economy and livelihoods values ..........................................................................111 Section 3: Discussion and recommendations ...............................................114 Cydcoed and the strategic context in Wales ........................................................114 Cydcoed and community development ................................................................117 Recommendations ...............................................................................................121 Section 4: Case studies ...................................................................................124 Case Study 3: North Gower Woodlands, Llanrhidian, South Wales ................129 Case Study 4: Glyncorrwg Ponds, Afan Argoed, South Wales........................131 Case Study 5: Blaen Bran Community Woodland, Upper Cwmbran, South East Wales ..................................................................................................133 Case Study 6: Cuckoo Woods, Pembroke Secondary School Pembroke, West Wales ..................................................................................................135 Case Study 7: Silent Valley, Cwm, South East Wales .....................................137 Case Study 8: Glan Morfa,