RURAL BUSINESSES URGED TO PREPARE FOR WOODFUEL

Rural heating and woodland management business are being urged to prepare for an increase in demand for woodfuel this autumn following the launch of a new Forestry Commission England plan.

 Launching the Forestry Commission’s Woodfuel Implementation Plan at Ignition11 in Manchester, Chair Pam Warhurst said: “ Sustainably grown and locally used woodfuel is good for rural businesses, improves woodland health and wildlife and cuts climate change emissions. According to our figures about half of the woodland in England is undermanaged. This means there is a great deal of wood, at least two million tonnes a year, that could be used for woodfuel and it is just sitting there as woodlands slowly suffer. This could supply enough energy to heat the equivalent of 800 hospitals or 3,000 schools and save 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 a year, roughly the emissions from three million barrels of crude oil. At today’s prices the woodfuel alone could be worth around £120m. The Renewable Heat Incentive has already been announced and we will have a £10 million grant scheme up and running in the summer to develop access within woodlands to allow fuel and other wood products to be harvested economically.”

Overall woodfuel could generate £1billion, gross value added, creating and supporting more than 15,000 jobs in the UK.

Learn more about the Woodfuel Implementation Plan at: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/england-woodfuel

       ESTATE WORKER FOR RSPB OTMOOR NATURE RESERVE, OXON

Full time, 3 year contract.

 

Otmoor (394 ha) is one of the largest wet grassland restoration projects in the country and since its beginnings in 1997 has fast become one of the area's best loved sites to see birds and other wildlife, set against the backdrop of beautiful Oxfordshire countryside. The site is managed with the aim of becoming a nationally important habitat for breeding waders and wintering waterfowl and contains a reedbed, capable of supporting bittern. The post holder will be assisting with habitat creation and management (incl hedgerows, grassland and reedbed), maintaining the reserve infrastructure, maintaining the reserves tools, equipment and vehicles, working with parties of volunteers. You should be able to work under your own initiative, have good organisational and planning skills and very good communication skills, with an ability and aptitude to learn new skills. Ability for undertaking practical tasks is essential and you should be experienced in a variety of tools and machinery.

 Salary £13,000 - £15,000 p.  Closing date: 12 August 2011 Interview date: 23 August 2011

For complete details of this post (including an application form) please download an application pack. When you return the application form, ensure that you include reference number 1180711 on any correspondence. PDF version (646Kb, requires Adobe Reader) Word version (619Kb, requires Microsoft Word)

Please send application forms to Judith Lloyd judith.lloyd@rspb.org.uk or post to RSPB Otmoor nature reserve, c/o Folly Farm, Common Road, Beckley, Oxford, OX3 9UR, 01865 351163

OXFORDSHIRE BIODIVERSITY AND PARTNERSHIP OFFICER

c 23,000-27,000 pa (pro rata) subject to experience

Full time or part time post, 1-year contract with the potential to extend.

 Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum has a long and successful history of promoting partnership working and of delivering biodiversity. In recent years we developed an innovative approach to delivering biodiversity at a landscape scale. The government’s recent White Paper on the Natural Environment outlines ways in which our partnership and biodiversity work could develop. We are now looking for a Biodiversity and Partnership Officer to take forward this exciting new area of work.

The Officer will work to:

·       Build a Local Nature Partnership - by engaging with existing partners and identifying and developing links with new partners

·       Support biodiversity delivery through the landscape scale approach

·       Further develop the current landscape scale approach to encompass ecosystem services

As the driving force to delivering biodiversity in Oxfordshire, the ideal candidate should be passionate about conservation, and have a clear understanding of the UK biodiversity process, Ecosystem Services and current Government policy.

The position is based at ONCF in beautiful rural offices. You will need a car (as there is no public transport). This post is offered as a one year contract. If you would like to join our small and friendly team please apply in writing enclosing your CV.   

 The job description can be found on our website www.oncf.org.uk  (under ‘contact’) alternatively please email Clare Mowbray clare@oncf.org.uk

Closing date 11^th August, interviews Tuesday 30^th August (we will confirm interview times with successful candidates by 19^th August)

Seen in the Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum weekly newslink. Contact ONCF ; see www.oncf.org.uk for contact details.