Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Winter 2009
SLETTER
In its 37 years, the
Woodland Trust has
evolved from the vision of
one man to become one
of the UK’s leading and
most respected charities.
The story of how it got
there makes fascinating
THE WOODLAND
reading. Sallyanne
Flemons reports TRUST: A HISTORY
When asked
INSIDE
WTPL/Mike Lewis
woodlandtrust.org.uk/volunteering
2 email: volunteers@woodlandtrust.org.uk tel: 01476 581111
NEWS
WTPL/Carole Sutton
LEARNING
The Woodland Trust sees engaging adults and children as a vital part of its work.
Our aim is to nurture an enduring appreciation of trees and woods.
Here are just some of the ways volunteers are helping us to achieve this.
WTPL/Janet Watt
Surprisingly, many children unlock its potential as an
outdoor classroom.
have never visited their local
wood either for adventurous To set the project going, John
play or as part of their formal laid on an induction day for
learning, even though the the school. A class of nine
opportunity might be right on and 10-year-olds and their
their doorstep. teachers were introduced to
the many things woodland
Volunteer John Fleetwood has
A life-long understanding of nature
been helping the Trust address has to offer, and then given a
hands-on learning in a wood woodland learning.
this sad situation, by guided walk of Reffley Wood. or park near them.
John’s considerable experience
encouraging young people in ...MORE SCHOOLS During the summer and into in the education sector
Norfolk to enjoy, learn from ACROSS THE UK WILL this autumn the Trust’s combined with an unrelenting
and be inspired by their wood.
ENJOY HANDS-ON learning programme is enthusiasm for woods and
With support from the LEARNING IN A benefiting from the skills and trees (he’s a life member)
Heritage Lottery Fund, a WOOD OR PARK experience of another John. makes him a huge asset.
pilot project is underway in NEAR THEM John Peatfield, a former head
King’s Lynn working in teacher and current staff With John’s continued help
partnership with teachers and John provided the perfect member of the University of as a volunteer, it is hoped a
pupils from Reffley Primary platform from which to begin Cumbria, is kindly dedicating ground-breaking woodland
School. The school is lucky to the project. From this pilot it part of his sabbatical to learning conference can
have a fantastic Trust wood is hoped that more schools helping us develop and be staged during spring 2010 in
nearby and the aim is to across the UK will enjoy test new approaches to conjunction with the university.
To find out how you can join in the fun visit: bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/treeoclock/
Dr Kate
OBE for
Graham Fudger
Lewthwaite, manager
of the UK
Springwatcher Phenology Network,
Through the dedication of people like Jean, we can chart how Interested in becoming a volunteer recorder?
natural events are being affected by the changing climate. Visit: naturescalendar.org.uk
4 email: volunteers@woodlandtrust.org.uk tel: 01476 581111
ANCIENT TREES
We’ve teamed up with the Ancient Tree Forum to celebrate ancient trees
and do all we can to conserve them. Read here about what’s happening then
join the discussion forum by logging onto
www.ancient-tree-forum.org.uk or AncientTreeHunt.org.uk
Page edited by Phil Marshall.
WTPL/Ken Leslie
• the 70-plus partners
including the National
Trust, Forestry
Commission,Tree
Council,Wildlife
Trusts and local
groups have eclipsed
the hunt’s target of
just 15 partners, and
• the 46,500 people involved
in the hunt have already smashed its target of
40,000 people by 2011!
77,000 people have now registered on the hunt’s website to
Yes, the good news is the volunteers and partners working on record trees, and when you add in those working via the
the Ancient Tree Hunt have now logged 50,000 trees onto the hunt’s partners, there are 155,500 people now recording these
database, helping our work to protect these gems of our prized natural assets.
natural heritage. Here’s more good news – the Ancient Tree Hunt has
In fact the only things being cut down to size are the hunt’s been nominated for a National Lottery award for Best
targets. Nikki Williams, ATH’s project manager, reports that: Environment Project.
Phil Lockwood
The giant Shugborough Yew in Staffordshiore
VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER 5
Tre/e-learning?
The term e-learning means additional help, but it doesn’t
matter if they’re in Scotland,
was being able to discuss
things as we went along, bit
money. I felt, as a consequence,
that all of the time spent on the
using electronic material and
the Isle of Wight or even by bit, so if there was exercise was productive. It was
systems to provide teaching
Jersey at the time. anything I didn't understand, easy to watch the trainer
and training; it’s popular,
I asked straight away.’ navigate through the pages.
partly because it provides an Each volunteer receives
opportunity to study or supporting material and then A dozen volunteers have now Afterwards, I could go over the
undergo training without meets up with an existing followed in Judy’s footsteps. processes for as long as I
having to travel to a meeting verifier for field training. For Kevin Coleman from wanted, while it was still fresh in
THE PROJECT IS
or class. Oxfordshire, the benefits are my mind.’
ABOUT BUILDING
clear: ‘Time, cost and
SKILLS AND
The Ancient Tree Hunt is Kath is pleased with progress:
inconvenience are the three
benefiting from this modern
KNOWLEDGE
‘The project is about building
words that sum up training
approach.Web-conferencing skills and knowledge. It’s a great
courses to me, so it was a
now means that volunteer way of reaching new volunteers
Judy Dowling from Fife, the refreshing change to do
verifiers can receive who otherwise couldn’t get to a
first volunteer to use the some training via a computer
notification of training training session.’
web-conference training, and a telephone on a one-to-
sessions and then watch
reports that it was very one basis.’ So, don’t let location put you
remotely as Kath Owen,ATF’s
senior verifier, demonstrates detailed, informative but easy Howard Leader from Ipswich off. Join the tre/e-team and
how to use the system.They to follow. She says: ‘The main agrees. ‘There was no travelling training will come to you
can ask questions and seek benefit of web conferencing involved, saving time, stress and wherever you are!
A ‘half-full’ database?
Are you a ‘half-full or half-empty glass’ kind of person? If you’re not just in forests and woods, but
in our cities and towns too, for
the latter, you may well be thinking: this is the bit where they
example in urban parks. So, look in
stump up the bad news.
your local area, on your way to
Well, the hunt does believe there’s another 50,000 trees out work, college or the shops.
there still to be logged. But bad news? No, far from it! And don’t presume the hunt is
The E-team
The Ancient Tree Hunt has 130 volunteer verifiers, who check the tree records submitted for inclusion on the database.
Because they’re rooted across the country, they only meet up occasionally and usually communicate via email and telephone,
effectively working and networking as an e-team (or should that be a tre/e-team?).
The verifiers obtain online the details of the logged trees that need checking in their area
and they submit information back online.
Now, thanks to the introduction of BT web-conferencing, existing and new verifiers can
link up much more easily. Using the new technology, they can access help and advice, and
use it to send through information and photos.They also receive a weekly round-up,
courtesy of an e-newsletter, and participate in regular conference call meetings.
6 email: volunteers@woodlandtrust.org.uk tel: 01476 581111
IN THE W
Who needs an excuse to spend more time in the woods? Our w
Dead-hedging
volunteers let in light
Close up
WTPL/Douglas Blanks
Local volunteers have been helping the Woodland Trust in
Whittle Dene, a picturesque 19 hectare wood in Ovingham,
Northumberland.
What inspires me about woodland In my rural We want to plant 36,000 native trees over the next few
village school in the 50s, lessons included nature walks and years and exciting opportunities for volunteers will start
our playground was a large meadow with a stream.There in the autumn, with a wide range of events for all ages
were hedgerows, trees to climb, ponds to dip. I learnt planned.We need your help to manage fun tree planting
about all aspects of nature, from moths to butterflies and events for schools and local communities.
stream life to birds, trees and woodland and was totally No experience is necessary but be prepared to
inspired by it all. I used to disappear all day exploring field get your hands dirty!
and woods with my friend. So if you fancy helping out at events whether it’s
My main great love was woodland, from the fresh green helping children plant trees, directing traffic, welcoming
shoots of spring through to the stark skeleton beauty of groups to the wood or just keeping an eye on
trees clad in winter frosts. It has been a joy to me for so what’s happening in the wood please call:
long and will always be so. Michelle McCaughtry on 02891 275787 or email
michellemccaughtry@woodlandtrust.org.uk
VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER 7
WO O D S
wood based volunteers care for our woods in many, varied ways.
Volunteers ♥ Heartwood
Great progress has been subject to a survey and volunteer more about the site’s history –
experts have helped us log the wildlife archaeologists discovered evidence from
Roman and Bronze Age occupation.
made in transforming
that already lives there. This is important
because it shows the site is already a
Heartwood Forest in
haven for wildlife, and we hope it will
Hertfordshire into the largest And more…
continuous native woodland in also demonstrate how the wildlife 15 schools had a great time at discovery
flourishes as it transforms into events in Langley Wood. And
Environment Minister, Huw Iranca-
England. And volunteers are
woodland. And, of course it gives us
playing a huge part. Davies was hugely impressed when he
information on how best to sensitively
visited the site. Now we’re preparing the
manage the site.
area for planting and a further 70
The survey
All 347 hectares (858 acres) have been We are also extremely excited to learn hectares is opening to the public.
Stuart Leech
How to get involved
Bluebells at Heartwood Forest
Vo l u n t e e r
Planting trees is one of the most fulfilling experiences you will
ever have. We are putting around 600,000 into the ground at spotlight
Heartwood. Come along to help out and you can play your
part in creating this vast natural haven.
Name:
WTPL/Paul O’Conner
To find out more about volunteering at Heartwood Forest visit A more detailed profile of Pam can be found
woodlandtrust.org.uk/volunteers-heartwood in our member’s magazine, Broadleaf.
8 email: volunteers@woodlandtrust.org.uk tel: 01476 581111
T H E WO O D L A N D T RU S T:
Continued from front cover
ownership. By the end of 1973 the Trust had The first in Scotland was acquired in with others to manage entire landscapes
around 40 hectares in the Avon Valley.’ 1984. This was Balmacaan Wood near to benefit nature and people (for a more
Loch Ness in Highland and the purchase detailed explanation of our landscape
was made possible after a £100,000 scale approach see the Volunteer
Far and wide public appeal. In 2000, Drumlamph in Newsletter 2008).
Although the Trust started out in the County Londonderry became our first
ancient woodland in Northern Ireland.
WE HAVE SINCE GATHERED
THOUSANDS OF PUBLIC
South Western corner of England, over Each UK country now has its own well
the years its presence all over the UK
RECORDS OF THE CHANGING
established and very effective office TIMING OF NATURAL EVENTS
has become strong. The Trust’s first and team.
wood acquired in Wales was Coed Expanding our Horizons took into
The new millennium also saw a shift in
Lletywalter, an ancient woodland in the account the growing spectre of climate
conservation philosophy with the
Snowdonia National Park. change. In the same year it was
publication of Expanding our Horizons.
published, we partnered up with the
THE BEST WAY TO CONSERVE The document outlined the Trust’s views
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology to
WOODS WAS NOT JUST TO on a more expansive landscape scale
help expand their phenology project.
FOCUS ON NATURE RESERVES, view on conservation.
Now rebranded ‘Nature’s Calendar’, we
BUT TO WORK WITH OTHERS In a nutshell, it explained how the best have since gathered thousands of public
TO MANAGE ENTIRE way to conserve woods was not just to records of the changing timing of natural
LANDSCAPES focus on nature reserves, but to work events due to climate change.
A H I S TO RY
18 UK biodiversity indicators.
happenings on the wider site.
We walk it watchfully and pick
Over the years, influencing government and decision- up litter where we can.We have
makers has become increasingly important to the Trust. been regular members of the
Our Public Affairs director, Hilary Allison, was appointed Merryhill Stakeholders Committee
in 1998 and now has a strong team working with her. since its inception.
They do all they can to influence policy to benefit native The Fruit Field stands at the highest point of Merryhill so
trees and ancient woods, as well as campaigning to save we have wonderful views across the young forest
threatened individual ancient woods. There are many and the open grazing fields, and on across into west London.
valuable woods that would not be there today were it not In the distance we can see the planes coming and going
for their work. to Heathrow.
WE ARE NOW BETTER EQUIPPED We have mainly apple trees, most of which are old local
THAN EVER
varieties, which have been in
danger of dying out with the
We believe that now, in 2009, Kenneth Watkins would be post-war decline of Hertfordshire
extremely proud of what the Woodland Trust has achieved orchards.There are also pears,
and the scale of our operation today. We own over 1,000 quinces, medlars, plums, damsons,
woods (acquiring land that can fulfil our landscape scale
mulberries, cherries and a few
1,050 volunteers and more than 290 members of staff. We harvest the fruits if the crows don’t get there first.
The apparent challenges faced by native woodland have Because our trees went in so tiny, harvests have not been
grown and shifted significantly since 1972, but we are now significant so far.We do have masses of crab apples, which we turn
better equipped than ever to deal with them. into gorgeous jelly and sell jars to raise money to buy trees.
Although it is beautiful, particularly in early summer
WTPL/Bob Carter
when the wild flowers are at their peak, it lies wet in the winter
and the little trees have done
wonderfully to establish as they have.
We have fretted over the health of
these little trees, toiled round them
again and again, but when walkers stop
and say how much they like it, it is a
great feeling.
We imagine it maturing and giving people pleasure for many
years when we are gone.
10 email: volunteers@woodlandtrust.org.uk tel: 01476 581111
OUT OF TH
You don’t have to be in the woods to volunteer for
A drive to be greener
Phil Lockwood
HE WOODS
r the Woodland Trust. Roles are many and varied.
directions such as linking up
Not on the very helpful and
knowledgeable Ancient Tree
our watch! Hunt verifier, Steve Waters
with local campaigns. There is
also the time-honoured
Volunteer contributor
Mandy Hillier finds method of getting a message
out how WoodWatch is across by song.
shaping up, and meets Greg Harper is not a Trust
a man using the power member but he is a tree
of song to save woods lover, especially those on his
native South Downs.
Kaye Brennan,‘As a small team THE FLAME. THEY costs (see page 15 for more).
action to save your woods and
SPEAKERS
Awareness of the Woodland Trust’s work is given a huge boost by our speakers’
network. If you know of an organisation or group who would like to book a
presentation, contact the volunteer speaker service on 08452 935 752 or
email vsmail@woodlandtrust.org.uk Talks can also be requested
online at woodlandtrust.org.uk/talks
Digital move
WTPL/Dominic Nicholls
complete
By the end of 2009, the change to digital presentation will be
complete. So thanks very much for your cooperation. The
digital system is easy to use and gives more creative flexibility
to your presentations. If you need any more information on
the digital switch, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
P H OTO G R A P H E R S
A picture paints a thousand words and our volunteer photographers provide
some of our most powerful tools for campaigning and fundraising. To become a
volunteer photographer or offer your images to our library, contact Phil Lockwood
on 01476 581111 x 5543, email photolibrary@woodlandtrust.org.uk or visit
woodlandtrust.org.uk/photographers-scheme
Photo library officer, Phil Lockwood, knows better than anyone what the Woodland Trust Photo
D
Library is lacking. And they may be images you have already taken
uring my day-to-day administration of the library I regularly come across Trust woods without any photos. Not only this, but
some of our departments also have specific image needs of their own that we can’t fulfil. Here is a list of ‘image asks,’ which will
really help us fill the gaps in our library. It’s an invitation for you talented snappers to get out into our lovely woods and take
some new, fantastic photos.
Jakob Sigurðsson.
WTPL/Michelle Davies
WTPL/Brian Aldrich
The images we need: • Phenology subjects for use in web calendars and newsletters – please take a
look at this link to see the types of trees recorded on Nature’s Calendar
• Young native woodland about 10-12 years old.
phenology survey: www.naturescalendar.org.uk/wildlife/factfiles.
• Families and minority groups in a woodland setting. We are always seeking more
up-to-date photos and as people wear clothes - and trees don’t - these photos • Single native trees. Most of the images we are given depict woodland. Although
can look outdated quickly. these are useful (of course), the library is lacking single trees. Can you help?
It’s a fix Notes, under section 2 on page 5. If you are registered with the
Volunteer Photographers’ scheme, you should have received this
technique, whereby you can set up from a location and take The key to fixed point photography lies in the consistency of
images taken with the same lens focus, direction and height at
repeat photographs on a seasonal basis on approximately the
the same location at regular time intervals – resulting in a
same dates each month or every season.
series of photographs showing how the landscape has changed
So, from the crispest, blossoming day in spring, to the sunniest over time. The real value of this lies in the timescale over
summer’s day, to the wonderful colours of autumn fall and which the photographs are taken – the longer the better and
finishing off with the snowiest winter’s day – we want them all. we’re looking at a duration of one year minimum.
We’re particularly interested in photos of recently-planted trees, If the idea appeals to you, please send your images in regularly
ancient trees or open, arable land and wild flowers. There is so we can keep track of them easily. Digital photographs are
more information in the Woodland Trust Picture Library Guidance be ideal.
14 email: volunteers@woodlandtrust.org.uk tel: 01476 581111
W H AT ’
Can you off for trespassing?).These
WTPL/Niall Benvie
cram a whole
add up to a lot of missed
opportunities for exercise,
wood into a
relaxation, play, and
reconnecting with nature.
’S NEW
FREEwoods gives birth to MOREwoods
Last year the Woodland UK, a great contribution
towards our ambitious
For more
information
Trust launched its
woodland creation targets. about
FREEwoods pilot project to
create native woodland in Building on the success of our MOREwoods
please contact
partnership with private pilot project, the Trust has
Sarah Cunningham
landowners. By the end of the now launched MOREwoods.
on 0845 293 5689, email
2008/2009 tree planting MOREwoods is a support and morewoods@
season, we had created advice package to landowners woodlandtrust.org.uk or
84 hectares of woodland who would like to create visit woodlandtrust/
on 56 sites throughout the beautiful native woodland. MOREwoods
WTPL/Steven Kind
email: newslettereditor@woodlandtrust.org.uk
N E W S & C O N TAC T S
Calling all Waitrose
shoppers
Trust volunteers
visit Number 10
Waitrose are supporting charities This summer,
through their Community Matters
Initiative and you could help your native
we nominated
branch. If you see a box where the Trust is already one of the
Gordon Brown,
The credits
cabinet table.
Getting in touch
The Woodland Trust
Autumn Park, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG31 6LL Thanks to the following volunteers who have helped
Tel: 01476 581111 with this issue:
BT Textdirect: 18001 01476 581135 Mandy Brilliant, Phil Marshall,
email: volunteers@woodlandtrust.org.uk proofreader ancient tree editor
woodlandtrust.org.uk/volunteering Mandy Hillier,
feature writer
Please recycle this newsletter or reuse it by leaving it in a public …and to those who agreed to be interviewed, completed
place like a library or doctor’s surgery. questionnaires or provided images free of charge.
The Woodland Trust logo is a registered trademark The Woodland Trust is a charity registered in England and Wales no. 294344 and in Scotland no. SC038885.
A non-profit making company limited by guarantee Registered in England no. 1982873 Á Printed on 100% recycled paper 4167 10/09