About Forestry Commission Wales

 

Forestry Commission Wales acts as the Welsh Assembly Government’s (WAG) Department of Forestry. We are responsible for managing the 38% of Welsh woodlands owned by the Assembly.

We advise, on their behalf, on the development of forestry policy and its implementation. We also encourage sustainable woodland management within the private sector and are responsible for administering grants and regulatory work, including licensing for felling and replanting.

The Assembly Minister with responsibility for forestry in Wales is Elin Jones.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to help deliver 'Better Woodlands for a Better Wales' as set out in our Corporate Plan (PDF, 200kb).

Funding

In addition to funding from WAG we generate income from the Assembly woodlands via timber production and other activities.

Working with the Welsh Assembly Government

We are directed by Welsh Ministers through our Board of Commissioners and our National Committee for Wales.

We work closely with the Welsh Assembly Government, particularly the Department for Rural Affairs (D for RA) to deliver 'Woodlands for Wales', the National Assembly's Strategy for Trees and Woodlands (currently under review), alongside the many other public, private and voluntary partners. The Woodland Strategy Advisory Panel was formed in 2005 to advise the National Committee for Wales on developing forestry policy and the monitoring of the Wales Woodland Strategy.