What's New
The WMRAF Annual Report for 1 April 2007-31 March 2008 has now been published.
Annual Report 07-08
The next Forum meeting will be held on Thursday 11September 2008 Lapworth Village Hall,Lapworth,Warwickshire.
The Annual WMRAF Conference - Sustainable Rural Communities: 'Our Future in Your Hands' - was held on Friday 16 November 2007 at Dunchurch Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Rugby. The report of the event can be accessed from the Conference 2007 page.
Details of previous rural conferences can be found via the Annual Conference page.
The final version of the Forum's Housing Report is now available. More information about the Housing Task Group.
The most recent meeting of the Forum was on Thursday 12 June 2008, at The Lady Emily Community Hall,Tarrington,Herefordshire.
Forum meetings and specialist seminars in 2008
| Date | Venue | Specialist Seminar |
| 6 March 2008 | Staffordshire | Water |
| 12 June 2008 | Herefordshire | No Seminar Held |
| 11 Sept 2008 | Warwickshire | England woodfuel strategy |
| 11 Dec 2008 | Birmingham | Technology-based business |
West Midlands Regional Forestry Framework
Growing our Future, the West Midlands Regional Forestry Framework, was published and launched in October 2004, clearly setting out how trees and woodlands are important to people - in different ways, in different contexts and at different life stages. Alongside priorities such as timber production, landscape enhancement and biodiversity there are lots of opportunities to engage actively with people and through growing partnership working.
Climate change and wood energy alternatives are climbing higher up the regional agenda, as are healthier lifestyles, better community involvement and more opportunities for leisure and recreation. Well managed trees and woodlands are exemplars of sustainability and those in the West Midlands are no exception. However, in recent years, some have declined in value and this needs to be addressed if we are to achieve best value from the region's woodland.
The Delivery Plan for 2006 - 2009 is available online (in .pdf). It is for everyone who can help protect, maintain or improve the Region's trees, forests and woodlands, or assist others through their activity, expertise and commitment to do so.