LESSONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS FROM THE MERSEY FOREST BY NETWORKING PARTNERSHIP FOR TWENTY YEARS

In the UK, community forest projects have created an increase of new accessible open green spaces in post-industrial areas. However, there is a scarcity of sustainable funding for long-term management. Therefore, the partnership is recognized to be a key mechanism to maximize the benefits and to share the risks with a range of organization to maintain the quality of green spaces. This study is to clarify the achievements and the roles of the Mersey Forest over the last twenty years in developing partnership approaches in the Northwest of England. The study methods are based on literature reviews regarding on published literature on environmental regeneration and the data provided from the Mersey Forest, and interviews with representatives of the Mersey Forest. The first 10 years from 1994 to 2004 focused on planting trees for creating new and extending woodland. After that opportunity for large-scale new planting decreased and there was a need for managing the newly created open green spaces. Therefore, it has entered in the management phase and the role of the Mersey Forest is shifting to strengthen partnership working by providing advice to landowners. It also became clear that community forest approaches have been achieved together with landowners and partners through partnership working led by the Mersey Forest for over twenty years. Thus, the Mersey Forest has evolved from a governmental inspired organization to a community empowered organization.