Theme: Community Woodlands

We have a dedicated Community Woodlands Officer who works closely with the Forestry Commission to develop this programme. Projects in this theme will be using woodlands for benefit of the local environment and local communities.

Trees have been at the heart of man’s relationship with the land over many centuries, both in the home and for industry. But we now understand the key role that woodlands play in maintaining a healthy environment and creating wildlife habitats. We can see this at a local level where trees help to reduce soil erosion, and also at a global level where woodlands are crucial in tackling climate change.

The 5 projects in this theme are:

School Acorn Planting
We are working with local school children from the catchment to collect acorns in the Borrowdale valley. These acorns are being taken to local nurseries to germinate and grow into saplings. Children will then plant the new trees to help existing woods and to create new woodlands. The whole activity helps children understand, and have hands on experience of helping our environment through sustainable recovery.

Project leader: Ingrid Lever, Community Woodlands Officer

Modern Apprenticeship
Increasing rural employment, addressing the land based skills shortage and creating greater tree cover in the catchment are issues we need to address. This is why we have employed and are training two local apprentices within the Forestry Commission.

Project leader: Forestry Commission

Woodland Recovery:
This project demonstrates the development of changing woodland management from clear-felling to continuous cover forestry. There will be a greater emphasis on the cultivation of native broad leaved trees and an enhanced native woodland habitat. This change is critical for both nature conservation and to reduce soil erosion. It also creates a more natural and beautiful woodland for our enjoyment.

Project leader: Forestry Commission

Masmill Oakwood Volunteers
Masmill Oakwood is a rare area of mature oak woodland in a forest that is hemmed in by conifer plantations. Volunteers working at Masmill are part of the change in woodland management towards the more naturalistic practice of continuous cover forestry.

We hold regular Woody Workdays to open up spaces for the oaks to naturally regenerate, so work focuses on; clearing self-seeded non-native conifer saplings; clearing brash; checking tree tubes; removing competing vegetation from.

We will soon be holding dry stone walling training so volunteers can help repair and maintain the dry stone walls along Masmill Beck.

We have may activities coming up so check the calendar for the dates and contact Ingrid!

Project leader: Ingrid Lever, Community Woodlands Officer

Raising Woodland Awareness
This project will work to raise public awareness of the historic importance of mans use of the wooded landscape for fuel and industry. We will also be highlighting management techniques today to tackle erosion and promote biodiversity and the regeneration of native oak woods.

We will also be working with local farmers to raise awareness of the value and benefits of woodlands as an alternative land use. And to encourage the protection of farm woodlands.

Project leader: Ingrid Lever, Community Woodlands Officer