Forestry Commission - News - have your say on how to manage england’s ancient and native woodlands

Forestry Commission England has today, 29 May 2008, published a draft practice guide for managing England’s ancient and native woodlands and is seeking views on its contents.

We want to know whether the guidance will help woodland owners manage their woods to deliver the outcomes the Commission wants to see. For example improving and maintaining ‘ecological condition’ including protecting, conserving and enhancing rare, or threatened wildlife, securing the woodland’s cultural heritage and providing opportunities for enterprise and employment.

Hundreds of years old, ancient and native woodlands are one of our oldest land uses and are remarkably diverse ecosystems. They are valuable for the wealth of wildlife they contain, the contribution they make to the English landscape and their fascinating cultural histories.

Much of England’s ancient and native woodland is unmanaged and we want to encourage woodland owners to think about what their woods could provide in terms of ‘environmental services’ if they changed their approach to management.

The guide is aimed at experienced practitioners and outlines the types of management which will ensure the protection and enhancement of ancient and native woodlands and the many benefits they provide. It translates the principles in Keepers of Time, the Government’s Policy on Ancient and Native Woodland, into practical action on the ground, it does not include the detailed background and rationale and should be read in conjunction with the Policy.

Careful use and active management, for example to produce hardwood timber, will usually increase environmental, social and economic value. However, they are complex habitats, and insensitive management can reduce their value and destroy irreplaceable features. There may also be situations where it may be best to have no, or very limited, management.

Ends

Notes to Editors
1. Contact Stuart Burgess in the Forestry Commission England Press Office on 01223 346027 stuart.burgess@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

2. The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible for forestry in Great Britain. It supports woodland owners with grants; tree felling licences, regulation and advice; promotes the benefits of forests and forestry; and advises Government on forestry policy. It manages more than a million hectares (2.5 million acres) of national forest land for public benefits such as sustainable timber production, public recreation, nature conservation, and rural and community development. For further information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk

3. The Consultation on 'Managing Ancient and Native Woodland - England Practice Guide' is available online http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-7f3ben or hard copies are available from our Bristol office on 0117 906 6000. The consultation closes on 22 August 2008.

4. Approximately 50% of England’s woodland resource is either ancient or dominated by broadleaved trees. 40% of ancient woodland was converted to plantation during the 20th Century. There is 340,000Ha of ancient woodland in England, approx 200,000ha semi-natural woodland, remainder has been replanted with non-natives. Forestry Commission England manages about 53,000ha of ancient woodland (approx 24% of our estate) . There is an inventory of all ancient woodland in England. Data set held by Natural England and can be accessed at: http://www.english-nature.org.uk/pubs/gis/tech_aw.htm
Keepers of time: A statement of policy for England's Ancient and Native Woodland updates the government’s policy towards woodlands and trees by re-emphasising their value, evaluating threats and opportunities and setting out a range of actions to improve their protection and quality http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-6H3FVS