Linking the Ecological Impact Assessment to the (Woodland) management plan CONSERVE to save, allow to remain, maintain in the same condition

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1 E&D 2.3 Linking the Ecological Impact Assessment to the (Woodland) management plan CONSERVE to save, allow to remain, maintain in the same condition We need to realise that what we do has an impact on the environment and our aim is to minimise that impact. Make a decision on what is an acceptable level of impact i.e. is nothing going to be permanently changed, assess whether the impact is not so great so as to prevent natural processes being carried out, think of this decision as a risk / benefits analysis. Impact at certain times of year is greater than at others and this needs to be reflected in your impact assessment. Other access/impact issues animals grazing, fly tipping, dog walking etc. Conservation techniques to limit pressure- Zoning - by season winter is more robust than summer. Tree work should be carried out in the winter if possible. - by area fire pits, activity areas, conservation areas, shelter building areas etc. Limit use do not exceed the carrying capacity of a site- photographic evidence can help here. Adapt / tailor activities- Forest school should engender respect for the natural world and the woodland. Forest school is no different to any other outdoor activity in this respect Use of outdoor areas helps us to include them as being important and therefore valued. Positive experiences lead to enhanced value eg. Identification and use of woodland items helps to engender sense of ownership, protectorate and awaken a sense of awe and wonder. Development of management plan Using your ecological impact assessment and the above information to inform your management plan. Think about other issues such as:- Areas which may need clearing Identification of trees or areas for coppicing Tree planting or pruning needing to be carried out Other tasks eg. Burning/habitat piles Try to develop activities during sessions that tie in with the management plan eg. Making steps up slopes, cutting wood from designated areas etc. thereby benefiting the woodland

2 E & D 2.3 (Woodland) Management Plan General Principles Take time to become aware of the biodiversity in your FS site woodland. Note any natural regeneration, wildlife using the wood as well as noting some of the herbaceous flora of the woodland Take advice from Forestry Commission, Woodland Trust, Local Council Biodiversity Officer, Countryside Commission for Wales, local Wildlife Trust etc. These bodies will help you to maintain/restore the woodland to what it naturally would have been according to the local geology and geography. Most ancient woodlands have been recorded and classified. Old maps or local historical records may also tell you something about the area and how it has been managed. Designated sites eg. SSSI, sites within NNR etc. will have likely have restrictions upon them which you need to be aware of. Woodland eco-systems are surprisingly robust. Natural regeneration is the best way to re-populate after tree fall, wind damage etc. Native trees are the best for supporting as wide a range of biodiversity as possible. They are also the most robust. Young trees establish more quickly than older trees and require less aftercare. Your management plan should reflect what is sustainable by you or your organisation. Remember that the greater your intervention, the greater level of aftercare is required. Management Plan Proposals Description Evaluation Implementation Monitoring & Review The diagram above shows the main headings for the management plan. Each stage may be brief but still requires consideration.

3 Description A brief description of the area used for the FS site. You may make notes about:- woodlands aspect, soil type and drainage, information about restrictions or designations, evidence of fauna using the woodland, existing public access, historical records and past management. List the dominant tree and shrub and ground flora species. Estimate the age of the trees and note the presence or absence of regeneration. Evaluation Note any special values such as rare species, veteran trees, natural features, timber use etc. The site s importance in contributing to a local Biodiveristy Action Plan, or similar. Management These may include the following:- Maintaining or creating wildlife habitats Producing timber Regeneration of woodland Enhancing the landscape Restoring or improving brownfield type sites Providing for recreation/public access Involving local community Screening unattractive view, reducing traffic noise Based on above you will be able to come up with Management Proposals for a long term strategy and a three year action plan. The following areas may be included in your proposals and action plan:- New planting or re planting (considerations:- site preparation, species to be planted, planting patterns and spacings, protection from pests, weed control, monitoring for and replacement of any losses) Natural regeneration (considerations:- species, site preparation, felling of older trees to make openings in canopy, selection and weeding, protection) Felling and thinning (considerations:- reasons for work, uses for timber, removal of timber) Clearance (considerations:- removal of invasive species, control of undergrowth to provide clearings or diversify habitat) Coppice (considerations:- restarting coppice regime, maintaining existing coppice regime) Veteran trees (considerations:- protection and monitoring) Access Other habitats (considerations:- maintenance of hedges, banks, ponds, streams, wet areas and meadows) Monitoring Results of any management work are measured and evaluated. These can then be reviewed at the end of the three year period. Monitoring involves recording the state of the woodland at the start of the management period and evaluating how the wood responded to works carried out. Fixed point photography is a simple and useful method of recording changes in the woodland.

4 E & D 2.3 Develop a simple three year sustainable woodland management plan for his/her FS area based on his/her ecological impact assessment. EXAMPLE for year 1 (on blank canvass type area being developed) Management Clearing log circle area and importing and fixing logs. Getting survey on trees done by arboriculturalist Creation of habitat piles around FS site Planting up 30 trees around site Put up post and rails around FS site to prevent contractors from mowing / strimming and damaging trees Proposals & action plan volunteer work party Contact contractor Get permission from local to collect dead wood and bring it back to school. Stones from skip can be retrieved and used. Apply to Woodland Trust for woodland and hedging plants. Children to plant up trees. volunteer / community day in Oct. half term. Buy in fencing materials. Contact grounds contractors to explain change of contract Person responsible for action and date action will be completed Anney. Work party organised for May half term week Contractor contacted 11 th April due to come on 1 st June Anney to contact w/c 21 st April to organise afternoon when class can collect wood. Get caretaker to remove stones ASAP and children to pile them up as FS activity Anney to contact WT before closing date on 30 th May. National tree planting w/c 1 st Nov so carry out planting this week TA to put out letter to invite allcomers to volunteer day. Anney to arrange refreshments. Headteacher to arrange finance for fencing materials. Anney to write letter to contractors Monitoring / review / comments Seven turned up to help clear. Contractor did not turn up until week later but now all done. (15 th June) Had great afternoon collecting wood from local woodland. Habitat piles now in place. Made stone piles part of our session counted different types of stones / bricks and arranged them in different patterns. (7 th May )

5 Example for Year 1 on established woodland site: Management Proposals & action plan Person responsible for action and date action will be Clearing brambles to create log circle area and importing and fixing logs. volunteer work party completed Anney. Work party organised for May half term week Monitoring / review / comments Seven turned up to help clear. Getting survey on trees done by arboriculturalist Creation of habitat piles around FS site Collect tree seeds and sow to enable use of plants with same genetic heritage when re-planting trees Put steps in where the bank is very slippery (see map) Contact and contract tree surgeons to give professional opinion and carry out any work necessary. Designate areas to coppice and use some of the wood to make habitat piles collection of seeds as part of FS sessions. a Family Forest School work party. Children to help prepare the site during FS sessions FS Practitioner in liaison with June / July Liaise with to develop management plan for different coppicing areas. November. Identify areas to be used for tree nursery / for direct sowing. September - November Anney to advertise event. Planning to run this at the end of the spring term After initial work is completed, needs to be checked annually. Develop five year rotation designated areas for coppicing each year are marked on the map. Make this an annual event and sell surplus trees. Monitor other sloping / muddy areas over the winter to see if we need steps / pathways anywhere else on site.