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Wood fuel from hedges CLA members in the Blackdowns or Tamar Valley are being asked to contribute to a piece of research looking into the cost-benefits of sourcing energy from hedges through harvesting their wood fuel. Dr Robert Wolton is co-chair of the Devon Hedge Group and an independent consultant engaged by the Tamar Valley and Blackdown AONBs, as part of a European project exploring the capacity of bocage (ie well hedged) landscapes to help meet local energy needs and to contribute to the rural economy.
This is a topic which the Devon Hedge Group is keenly interested in, seeing it as perhaps the most promising avenue to pursue to promote the sustainable future management of hedges. They are looking for landowners willing to record the time spent on laying or coppicing at least 30m of hedges, and to weigh the wood harvested whether as logs or chips.
They are looking for at least 10 hedges to be sampled before the end of January 2012 and would be willing to help with this research. It should take little extra time over and above normal hedge management, and we will offer support and guidance.
"We want to find out just how cost-effective it is to source firewood from Devon-style hedges. Does it make good economic sense to manage hedges for fuel rather than buy in oil or put up a wind turbine? With public funding for hedge management becoming increasingly scarce, it makes good sense to explore this as a way of helping to ensure our hedges survive into the future while providing renewable energy and contributing to the local economy. Surprisingly, very little information on the subject is currently available in Britain," he said.
This research is being carried out as part of a European project called Cordiale in partnership with similar areas in Brittany and Normandy. The results will be widely publicised and contributors fully acknowledged, although we will ensure your privacy is protected should you wish.
If you think you can help, please contact Rob Wolton at robertwolton@yahoo.co.uk or 01837 810416.
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