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Woodland management plans under review

Discover how we manage our woods and the management plans we are currently reviewing. 

Management plans help us achieve our vision of a UK rich in native woodland and trees for wildlife and people.

Credit: Heather Beckett / WTML

How do we manage our woods?

The Woodland Trust owns more than 1,000 sites across the UK. Our approach to woodland management supports our vision of a UK rich in native woodland and trees for wildlife and people. 

To achieve this, we manage our sites to UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS). This is an independent certification standard, approved by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), that verifies sustainably managed woods in the UK. It is awarded based on meeting a range of requirements, from environmental to socio-economic value, which are assessed by an independent third-party audit.

FSC is the world-leader in sustainable forest management, awarded only to forest and woodland owners that can actively demonstrate their commitment to fostering healthy, resilient forests.

When do we review our management plans?

Our woods are certified by Soil Association Certification Limited, to FSC's standards. As the majority of our sites are FSC-certified, they each have a management plan which is open to everyone. This is reviewed periodically (mostly on a five-year cycle) to ensure the site is being managed appropriately. When a plan is under formal review, it is open to consultation for a period of 30 days.

Pesticides

At a small number of sites, the use of pesticides may be necessary as part of woodland management, for example the control of non-native invasive species and/or establishment for operations.

Full consideration of alternatives is part of the review process and pesticides are only used when absolutely necessary. Find out more information about our use of pesticides. Our pesticide policy and relevant Environmental and Social Risk Assessment (ESRA) are available on request. 

How to contact us

If you would like to see the management plan under review for any of the sites listed below, please email us at operations@woodlandtrust.org.uk.

Posters will also be put up at any sites where the management plan is under review, so visitors to our woodlands can review the plan should they wish to.

Sites with management plans under review: