MAKING GREEN.....
RESTORING ANCIENT AND WORKING WOODLANDS

We all enjoy walking through wonderful ancient woodlands seeing, hearing and sensing the diverse habitat and wildlife that surrounds us. Ancient woodlands are one of the most important, stable and natural environments; but unfortunately over the years many have fallen from their prime.

Our aim is to restore these ancient woodlands, encourage the rejuvenation of flora and fauna and provide a beautiful and peaceful environment for generations to come.

As part of this project we aim to keep alive many of the ancient woodland skills and transfer this knowledge to younger generations; and when combined with new technology, give these woodlands a viable working future.

In Dorset (UK), working with various estates and Ayers Forestry, IPP are directly involved in the management of this project, as well as providing necessary sponsorship. The work includes clearance work, replanting trees in areas that need restocking, and reinstating areas of hazel to make suitable for future coppicing.

Work has started in Stone Pits Wood, where we have cleared the unwanted brash and ground cover and planted an initial crop of 800 trees. The initial planting was in March 2009 and included Oak, Beech, Ash, Hazel, Privet and Guelder Rose.

In Oatclose Wood we have been clearing the overgrown ground cover, thinning the canopy and cutting the hazel to allow selected saplings and the coppiced hazel to grow healthily. We have divided Oatclose Wood into sections which will be restored in rotation giving the wildlife and wild flowers the opportunity to flourish and migrate around the wood.

Work will also start soon (April 2011) in Chettle wood and new (to RAWW) 75 acre woodland site. This wood already has a wide variety of flora and fauna.