Woodland management plans

Woodland Management Plans

Purpose

  • A woodland management plan is an essential tool in maintaining and enhancing woodland environments, particularly where biodiversity is a key objective.

  • It’s a strategy designed to meet the woodland owner’s objectives and aims, be they for conservation, timber production, recreation or a combination of these.

  • It provides the framework for making informed decisions about the future of the woodland, based on an understanding of the current state of the woodland and its potential.

Creating a Woodland Management Plan

  • The creation of a woodland management plan begins with a baseline survey, which ascertains the current condition of the woodland, including identifying species present, the age and health of trees, and recording any recent changes.

  • The plan should include both short-term and long-term objectives, which are essential in setting achievable goals.

  • It also lays out the management actions necessary to achieve these objectives, procedure of their implementation and the means for measuring the success.

Implementation

  • Implementing a woodland management plan involves carrying out various woodland management activities outlined in the plan, such as thinning, coppicing, and managing pests.

  • Regular monitoring and reviewing is vital to ensure the plan is achieving its objectives, allowing for modifications to be made if necessary.

Ingredient of a Good Plan

  • A good woodland management plan should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely (SMART) to facilitate execution and review.

  • It is important to consider the varying factors which can influence the management of woodland. This includes understanding the local economic, environmental and sociocultural factors.

  • Make sure to include risks associated with climate change in the plan as it can greatly affect woodland and forestry, and how these risks can be mitigated.

The Role of Guidelines

  • There are guidelines provided by organisations like the Forestry Commission to help woodland managers create effective woodland management plans.

  • Guidelines provide information on best practices, whilst also ensuring legal requirements and government priorities are taken into account, and woodland plans fit within a larger national strategy.

Importance

  • A successful woodland management plan can maximise the output and longevity of a woodland, whether it be in terms of increasing timber yield, enhancing wildlife habitats, minimising disease or providing increased public access.

  • Overall, the development, implementation, and revision of woodland management plans constitutes the core of sustainable woodland management.