Oxfordshire Woodland Group

Starting Monday 9 July

The North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is to deliver a series of workshops promoting sustainable woodland management.

The first, looking at Woodland Management for Biodiversity will be on Monday 9th July at the Calcot Centre, Reading. The workshops are suitable for woodland owners and managers, private forestry contractors and employees, land agents, game managers, conservation professionals and community groups currently managing woodlands. Woodland biodiversity is a valued component of sustainable forests, providing interest and delight for visitors. Getting its management right is essential for the health of woodland ecosystems and economic viability.

23,300 hectares or just over 13% of the North Wessex Downs AONB is wooded. Over a third of this is ancient in origin and over 45% has either a national or local designation for its particular wildlife value. Perhaps most significantly, our research has identified that only 44% of this woodland is under active management.

Delivered by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and using recognised experts from a range of backgrounds, topics will include:

• Principles of woodland management

• Integrating game and wildlife management

• Threats and risks of management activities

• Sources of advice and grant funding

Further workshops will focus on economic issues and managing for cultural and historical significance.

For further information or to book a place please call Amanda Ingham of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust on 01256 381186 or email amandai@hwt.org.uk by Wednesday 4th July.

Thank you for your interest in the North Wessex Downs Woodland Management Workshops. Please find below information on the next workshops in the series.

Get your woodland working for you!
Maximising the economic benefits of woodland

Using recognised experts from a range of backgrounds the workshops will help provide delegates with the confidence to make and implement the right management decisions for their particular woodlands.

Woodland is a valuable habitat for wildlife as well as a source of timber, fuel and products. Added value can also come in the form of social forestry enterprises, recreation and education. However, research shows that only 44% of woodland in the AONB is under active management. This workshop looks at maximising the economic benefits in woodland in order promote long term economically and environmentally sustainable management.

In order to cover the most relevant material for various audiences the topic will be covered in two workshops;
· Wednesday 10th October is particularly suitable for those involved in the management of larger or more commercial woodlands
· Thursday 11th October is suited to those managing smaller or more community led woodlands.

This workshop is part of a series of workshops North Wessex Downs AONB has contracted the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to deliver in order to promote environmentally and economically sustainable woodland management.

We are keen to involve as many woodland owners and managers from across the AONB as possible so please highlight this event to relevant contacts, woodland owners and contractors.

The event brochure & booking form can be found here :-

Course Brochure & Booking Form

For further information or to book a place please contact Amanda Ingham on 01256 381186 or email amandai@hwt.org.uk by Wednesday 3rd October.

Thank you to Ken, I’m glad the workshops are useful. Please find below details for the next workshop.

Managing your woodland heritage
Identification and preservation of historic and cultural features in woodland
Thursday 22nd November 2012

Woodland is a valuable habitat for wildlife as well as a source of timber, fuel and products. Woodlands also provide a vital contribution to the natural and cultural heritage of the area but often very little is known about the archaeology and cultural history of the woods. This workshop will help you to identify these features and provide guidance and advice on measures that can be taken to protect these features when managing your woodland.
This workshop is part of a series of workshops North Wessex Downs AONB has contracted the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to deliver in order to promote environmentally and economically sustainable woodland management.

Who should attend?
• Woodland owners/ managers
• Private forestry contractors and employees
• Land agents
• Game managers
• Community groups currently managing woodlands
• Conservation professionals

Using recognised experts this workshop will help provide delegates with the confidence to make and implement the right management decisions for their particular woodlands. With a site visit providing ample opportunity for demonstration and discussion.
Topics will include:
• Identification of a range of archaeological
and historic features in woodland.
• Highlighting potential risks of management
activities.
• Suggested management techniques,
mitigation and best practice.
• Overview of survey methods
• Cultural significance of trees and
woodlands

For further information or to book a place please contact Amanda Ingham on 01256 381186 or email amandai@hwt.org.uk by Wednesday 14th November