Woodland needs regular management.
Woods in this country have received management since the Stone Age and through long term management have developed an ecosystem that requires intervention by man. Woods provide the region with a vital renewable energy and a fully sustainable multiple use resource.
The gales of 1987 and 1990 resulted in a considerable amount of activity in the south east woods which, in hind sight, although catastrophic at the time did a lot to boost the forestry industry in the region and improve the woodland for the wildlife. The woods once again became a hive of activity not seen since World War 1. For many years following the gales this provided employment to the region and the added benefit of more open, sunnier woodland in which the wildlife flourished. Since then there has been a reduction in the level of management in the woods which has resulted in a decline of both employment and wildlife. The woods are becoming uninvitingly dark areas where our wild bird populations and other important species have been lost and those that look to the countryside for a living find it hard to find sufficient work to sustain regular employment.
The Forestry Commission sees this decline in woodland activity as a threat to the dynamics of the region and encourages the management of woods that provide sustainable employment, enjoyable areas to recreate and improved habitat for our local wildlife.
If you are the owner or manager of a wood we may well be able to help you with free advice and grants towards agreed works that will put the life back into your woodland. Speak with your local Forestry Commission officer for more information and to arrange a free site visit.
Your Local Officers
Your local Forestry Commission officer can offer advice and assistance on a variety of subjects.
Team leaders:
Area Director – Alison Field (01420 23337)
Programmes Manager – Matthew Woodcock (01420 23337)
Grants Manager - Patrick Stephens (01420 23337)
Regulations Manager - Jonathan Harding (01580 211123)
Woodland officers:
Buckinghamshire - Richard Pearce (01296 696543)
Oxfordshire - Richard Pain (01296 696543)
Kent – Andrew Dall’Oglio (01580 211123)
Kate Harris (01580 211123)
Jonathan Harding (01580 211123)
East Sussex – John Stafford (01580 211123)
Hampshire - Michael Pittock (01420 23337)
Jonathan Rau (01420 23337)
Surrey/London - Andy Glover (01420 23337)
West Sussex - Dave Rogers (01420 23337)
Berkshire - Jonathan Rau (01420 23337)
Andy Glover (01420 23337)
Isle of Wight - Michael Pittock (01983 760368)
Development Officers:
Woodheat Solutions - Matthew Woodcock (01420 23337):specialising in the development of woodfuel initiatives.
Outreach Events and Woodland Forums
We run a programme of seminars and events on topics related to woodland management.
We hold regular forums for the woodland sector in
- Berks, Bucks and Oxon
- Kent and East Sussex
- Surrey
- Hampshire
- Isle of Wight
- West Sussex
Look for more information on events in the South East.
Sources of woodland advice
A number of woodland initiatives in the area offer advice and support to woodland owners in particular parts of the region:
The Chilterns Woodland Project
The Oxfordshire Woodland Project
Hampshire County Council – Forestry Officer
West Sussex County Council – Forestry Officer – Julie Bolton
You can gain information on buying and selling woodland products in the region through the Woodlots pages of the Woodnet website or the Woodnet online searchable products directory.
Royal Forestry Society is a Registered Charity with over 4,000 members from all interest groups within the industry including - woodland owners, land managers, foresters, students, keen amateurs, arborists, landscapers, timber merchants, ecologists.
The Small Woods Association is Britain’s leading organisation in supporting and promoting the work done by the owners and carers of small woodlands.
