Linking sustainable practices throughout Europe
Two publicly-owned woods rescued from neglect in Beaminster, Dorset, England, UK
An example of a voluntary initiative aiming at making use of local ressources.
Rural topic(s): Sustainable forestry
Type: Narrative story
Date of writing: June 27, 2016
Author(s) of this page: Michael Dower
Summary:
This describes a private, voluntary initiative aiming at making use of local ressources (firewood) and providing further multiple benefits to society and wildlife through management of woodlands.
Text:
Description of activities
Setting. Beaminster is a small city in the Civil Parish of West Dorset in the South West of England. The objects of management are 2 woodlands owned by the local school, planted in 1995 (located in a designed conservation area) respectively 2005.
Personal motivation. In order not to buy firewood I wanted to cut my own firewood. Opposite my house was a small woodland owned by The Beaminster School Wood is located opposite to my house and so making use of it seemed likely.
Aims of the management.
Shelter and screening as primary purposes.
Firewood and long-term timber as strong secondary purposes.
Woodland management activities.
Coppicing, thinning.
Management plan had to be set up for the woodland located in the conservation area.
Outlook
Challenges. How to keep continuity in a setting that is based only on voluntary work and how to find a balance between benefits and draw backs of public access (vandalism, protection of firewood). And: Getting a clear picture about the balance of benefits and to adapt the management to produce those benefits.
Next steps. We aim to gradually enrich the woodland habitat, by introduction of further tree species.
We will create a team of volunteers for long-term maintenance of the wood, and hope to offer woodmanship training in the School curriculum.
We will try to reduce vandalism.
Notes:
Information gathered at: the 1st workshop on Sustainable Forest Management (17-20 March 2016) - presentation given during the Market of Initiatives
Contact:
Contact: Michael Dower
E-mail: mdower6(a)btinternet.com
Download:
Informations:
Scale of intervention : Local
Keywords: woodland management, thinning, firewood, improvement of biodiversity, coppicing
Places: United-Kingdom
Actors: private sector, inhabitants
Methods: raising awareness, voluntary work