9 July – Woodland Management for Biodiversity

The North Wessex Downs is to host a one day workshop exploring Woodland Management and Biodiversity managed by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. The Trust is set to deliver a series of workshops and a conference to promote sustainable woodland management.

To be held on Monday 9th July 2012 Starting 9.45am at Calcot Centre, Highview, Calcot, Reading RG31 4XD.

Location

This one day workshop will include a range of topics all based within this Area of Outstanding Beauty that covers a staggering 1,730 sq km and is the North Wessex Downs is the largest AONB in southern England. It was created in 1972 to give a protective coherence to one of the largest tracts of chalk downland in southern England which is least affected by development.

The workshop

Some 23,300 hectares or just over 13% of the North Wessex Downs AONB is wooded. Over a third of this woodland is identified as ancient in origin and over 45% has either a national or local designation for its particular wildlife value.

Woodland biodiversity is a valued component of sustainable forests, providing interest and delight for visitors. Getting its management right is essential for the ecological functioning and health of woodland ecosystems.

Using recognised experts from a range of backgrounds this workshop will help provide delegates with the confidence to make and implement the right management decisions for their particular woodlands.

Topics will include:

• Principles of woodland management
• Integrating game and wildlife management
• Threats and risks of management activities
• Sources of advice and grant funding

Who should attend?

• Woodland owners / managers
• Private forestry contractors and employees
• Land agents
• Game managers
• Community groups currently managing woodlands
• Conservation professionals

These themes will explored in further workshops alongside economic issues and managing for cultural and historical significance. Delegates are encouraged to attend all 3 events, more details of which can be found on the PDF download.