Over 10,000 hectares of neglected woodland are being restored through sustainable woodland management, thanks to a groundbreaking initiative between B&Q, sustainability charity BioRegional and forestry charity The Sylva Foundation.
Set up in January 2013, Good Woods provides professional forestry advice and woodland planning tools to more than 200 owners of undermanaged woods.
Almost half of the woodland in England is undermanaged and there is a common misconception that Britain's woodlands are wild places that thrive without human interference. But our forests thrive from management and intervention. Managed well they support important ecosystems, strengthen links between communities and woodlands, and provide markets for woodland products.
While the Forestry Commission helps manage larger woodlands, Good Woods targets small-scale owners who often struggle to get similar support. Woods like Kiteye Wood, owned by Senlasc district scouts, where the aim is to bring back rotational coppicing, which will enhance biodiversity while maintaining open space for scouting activities.
Like other woodlands in the programme, Kiteye Wood was allocated a professional forestry adviser to provide advice and help with mapping woodland. A "woodland star" rating helps owners identify species and how their activities support important ecosystem services like carbon storage, wildlife habitats and flood protection. It also suggests improvements.
Owners get additional support through workshops and access to resources, and a stakeholder engagement kit with guidance on building community relations. A producer pack gives advice on which products can be made from which species.
Restoring neglected woodlands is vital to providing more forestry jobs, improving wildlife habitats and creating more recreational space. B&Q already sources 21% of its timber from UK woodlands and is working with buyers and suppliers to increase that. Good Woods will help the company achieve its commitment to establish pioneering restoration initiatives, creating more forest than it uses.
Lorna Thorpe is a part of the wordworks network
The Guardian Sustainable Business Sustainability Case Studies contain articles on all the initiatives that met the criteria for the GSB Awards.
