In recent years, there has been a growing trend of individuals and organisations purchasing woodlands. This movement is often driven by a desire to protect natural habitats, combat climate change, and foster a deeper connection with nature. However, as with many environmental initiatives, the reality can be more complex than it first appears.

The Rise of Personal Woodland Ownership

The COVID-19 pandemic sparked a renewed appreciation for nature and outdoor spaces. Many people, seeking an escape from urban environments and a chance to immerse themselves in nature, turned to purchasing their own small woodland. This trend reflects a broader societal shift towards valuing natural spaces and recognising their importance for mental and physical well-being.

Media Spotlight: This Morning’s Woodland Purchase

In September 2021, the popular UK television show “This Morning” made headlines by announcing their purchase of a woodland. This move was part of their initiative to “go green” and highlighted the growing public interest in environmental conservation.

Key Points of This Morning’s Woodland Purchase

1. Location: The exact location was kept secret to protect the area.

2. Purpose: The stated goal was to prevent future development and preserve the existing ecosystem.

3. Biodiversity: The woodland is home to various wildlife, including deer, rabbits, and diverse plant species.

4. Future Plans: The show expressed intentions to increase biodiversity and plant more trees.

The Complexities of Conservation Efforts

While initiatives like This Morning’s woodland purchase can raise awareness about environmental issues, they also highlight some of the complexities involved in conservation efforts:

1. Impact vs. Intent: While the intent to protect the woodland is commendable, it’s worth considering whether the purchase truly “saved” the land, as it would have been bought and preserved by others.

2. Environmental Trade-offs: The creation of a studio floor in the woodland for filming raises questions about the environmental impact of such modifications. It underscores the challenge of balancing conservation with practical use.

3. Public Access and Education: The decision to keep the location secret, while potentially protecting the area from overuse, also limits opportunities for public engagement and education.

4. Long-term Management: Owning a woodland comes with responsibilities for its long-term care and management, which requires expertise and resources.

Personal Woodland Stewardship: A Minimally Invasive Approach

While high-profile woodland purchases often make headlines, many individual woodland owners take a more low-key, but equally important, approach to land stewardship. I purchased a 4-acre ancient woodland in February 2021, adopting a philosophy of minimal invasiveness and prioritising wildlife preservation.

This approach to woodland ownership includes:

1. Minimal Intervention: Allowing the majority of the woodland to remain undisturbed, providing a haven for wildlife to thrive without human interference.

2. Habitat Creation: Constructing habitat piles of fallen branches and logs, which provide crucial shelter and breeding spaces for various species, from insects to small mammals.

3. Seasonal Awareness: Taking careful account of nesting seasons, adjusting any necessary human activity to minimise disturbance during these critical times for wildlife.

4. Controlled Human Presence: Establishing a “base camp” for human use, while leaving the rest of the woodland free for wildlife. This balanced approach allows for personal enjoyment of the space without compromising the needs of the ecosystem.

5. Stewardship Mindset: Viewing oneself not as an owner, but as a caretaker or steward of the land, responsible for its preservation and the well-being of its inhabitants.

Coppice Management and Wildness

This particular woodland is a coppice, which traditionally would have been managed on a rotation system and treated as a crop. However, I’ve chosen to deviate from this conventional approach:

1. Preserving Wildness: Instead of putting the coppice on rotation, the focus is on maintaining and enhancing its wild nature. This approach allows natural processes to take precedence over timber production.

2. Selective Maintenance: While allowing the woodland to grow more naturally, I still undertake necessary maintenance, such as removing dangerous branches. This ensures safety while minimising human impact.

3. Challenges of Maintenance: Managing a woodland can involve significant physical labour, especially when “extraction” (removing fallen or cut timber) is difficult due to the terrain or lack of access. This highlights the commitment required in woodland stewardship.

Understanding Woodlands as Wild Ecosystems

A crucial aspect of woodland stewardship is recognising that a woodland is fundamentally different from a garden or managed park. It’s a wild ecosystem with its own complex dynamics:

1. Diverse Wildlife: Woodlands are home to a wide range of animals, from small insects to larger mammals. In addition to the myriads of insects and small animals, in my wood we encounter:

  • Badgers
  • Hares
  • Foxes
  • Squirrels (which, while often seen as charming, can be destructive to certain tree species)
  • Roe deer and muntjac deer (again, while often seen as charming, can be destructive to certain tree species)

2. Ecological Balance: Each species plays a role in the woodland ecosystem. For example, while squirrels might be considered vermin due to their destructive habits, they also contribute to seed dispersal and are part of the food chain for predators.

3. The Value of ‘Untidiness’: There can be a temptation to “tidy up” a woodland, but this approach can be counterproductive to biodiversity:

  • Fallen branches and dead wood are not mess to be cleared, but vital habitats for insects and fungi.
  • These seemingly untidy elements are crucial for the woodland’s biodiversity, providing homes and food sources for various species.
  • Fungi play a critical role in breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients in the ecosystem.

4. Minimal Intervention: The key to woodland stewardship often lies in resisting the urge to over-manage. By allowing natural processes to occur, including the lifecycle of trees from growth to decay, we support a richer, more diverse ecosystem.

Balancing Human Interaction and Wildlife Needs

I face several considerations in managing the interaction between human presence and wildlife needs:

1. Wildlife Feeding Dilemma: There’s an ongoing debate about whether to feed wild birds. While bird feeding can provide enjoyment and opportunities for observation, there are concerns about creating dependency or altering natural behaviours.

2. Canopy Management: Plans are in place to selectively thin the canopy. This practice aims to allow more light to reach the woodland floor, promoting the growth of diverse plant species and enhancing overall biodiversity.

3. Biodiversity Enhancement: By carefully opening up the canopy, I hope to create a more diverse habitat structure, benefiting a wider range of flora and fauna.

4. Respecting Wild Spaces: While it’s natural to want to explore and enjoy the woodland, it’s crucial to remember that it’s primarily a habitat for wildlife. Human activities should be conducted with minimal disturbance to the animals and plants that call the woodland home.

5. Seasonal Considerations: Different seasons bring different needs for wildlife. For example, nesting seasons for birds or breeding seasons for deer might require extra caution and reduced human activity in certain areas.

6. Learning Through Observation: One of the joys of woodland ownership is the opportunity to observe and learn about natural processes and wildlife behaviours over time. This observational approach aligns well with the principle of minimal intervention.

These considerations demonstrate the complex decision-making process involved in responsible woodland management, balancing the desire for a wild, natural space with the realities of stewardship and biodiversity enhancement.

 The Importance of Nature Connection

Despite these complexities, the core message of connecting with nature remains vital:

1. Mental Health Benefits: Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

2. Environmental Awareness: Direct experiences with nature can foster a deeper understanding of ecological systems and environmental issues.

3. Conservation Motivation: Personal connections with natural spaces often lead to stronger commitments to conservation efforts.

4. Physical Health: Outdoor activities in natural settings promote physical exercise and overall well-being.

Conclusion

The trend of woodland ownership, exemplified by both individuals and high-profile purchases like This Morning’s, reflects a positive shift towards valuing and protecting natural spaces. However, it’s important to approach such initiatives with a nuanced understanding of their impacts and limitations.

True environmental stewardship goes beyond ownership. It requires thoughtful management, sustainable practices, and a commitment to balancing human use with ecosystem preservation. As demonstrated by the personal approach of minimal invasiveness and the careful consideration of coppice management, individual woodland owners can play a crucial role in conservation efforts.

The challenges faced by woodland owners – from the physical demands of maintenance to the complex decisions about wildlife interaction and habitat management – highlight the dedication required in this form of environmental stewardship. These efforts contribute significantly to preserving biodiversity, maintaining natural habitats, and fostering a deeper connection between humans and nature.

The journey of woodland stewardship is one of continuous learning and adaptation. By recognising woodlands as complex, wild ecosystems rather than managed gardens, owners can play a crucial role in preserving these vital habitats. The seemingly ‘untidy’ elements of a woodland – from fallen branches to decaying logs – are in fact key components of a thriving ecosystem.

True stewardship involves finding the delicate balance between human enjoyment and wildlife needs, between necessary management and allowing natural processes to unfold. It’s about resisting the urge to over-tidy or over-manage, and instead embracing the wild, dynamic nature of woodland ecosystems.

As we continue to face global environmental challenges, the role of individual woodland owners and their commitment to responsible, minimal-intervention management becomes increasingly important. These efforts not only preserve valuable habitats but also provide opportunities for deeper connection with nature, fostering a greater understanding of the intricate web of life that exists in our woodlands.

Learn more about my woodland here

https://www.facebook.com/WoodlandEncounters

Interested in a digital detox or woodland retreat, please get in touch for more information

Useful information on woodlands can be found from The Royal Forestry Society

Dr Denise Taylor

Woodland owner

www.denisetaylor.co.uk