Blandford Environmental Trust (BET) is limited company which was initially formed to maintain and promote Angus Wood which is a community woodland in Blandford Forum. Angus Wood is owned by the Woodland Trust, and Blandford Environmental Trust volunteers lease the wood from them with the stipulation that it is managed as a wildlife woodland (2B below) according to their aims, which are also listed below. These insects provide food for birds and animals like hedgehogs. Some people don’t like the ivy growing on trees, but we leave most of it there to provide habitat for birds and insects. If the trees all had bare trunks, there would be even fewer birds and insects than there are. Looking at a broader picture, there are three types of woodland:
1. Natural woodland, where nothing is interfered with: fallen trees are left where they fell, diseased or dying trees are left to die, undergrowth is not cleared. Native tree species only.
2. Managed ‘natural’ woodland is kept as near to ‘natural’ as possible, but actions may be taken to cut down any tree or branch that could be a hazard to people walking in the wood. Pathways may be cleared for people to walk in the wood. Management may be of two types:
2A. Commercial forestry, managed to produce good timber, promoting tree growth and keeping trees free of disease and competition by removing ivy. Both native and exotic tree species may be planted depending on the end-use of the trees.
2B. Wildlife forestry, managed to promote diversity of habitat for wildlife by promoting tree growth again but maintaining ground and bush vegetation and keeping ivy on trees to provide homes for wildlife. Native tree species only.
3. Parkland/woodland, where the ground is kept clear of fallen trees, and ground vegetation is cleared so that people can walk anywhere in the wood. Woodland Trust management aims
• Our woods are managed to maintain their intrinsic key features of value and to reflect those of the surrounding landscape. We intervene in our woods when there is evidence that it is necessary to maintain or improve biodiversity, safety and to further the development of more resilient woods and landscapes.
• We establish new native woodland for all the positive reasons set out in our Conservation Principles, preferably using natural regeneration but often by planting trees, particularly when there are opportunities for involving people.
• We provide free public access to woods for quiet, informal recreation and our woods are managed to make them accessible, welcoming and safe. Where possible, we pro-actively engage with people to help them appreciate the value of woods and trees.
• The long-term vision for all our ancient woodland sites is to restore them to predominantly native species composition and semi-natural structure, a vision that equally applies to our secondary woods.
• We work with neighbours, local people, organisations and other stakeholders in developing the management of our woods. We recognise the benefits of local community woodland ownership and management. Where appropriate we encourage our woods to be used for local woodland, conservation, education and access initiatives.
• Any activities we undertake are in line with our wider Conservation Principles, conform to sustainable forest management practices, are appropriate for the site and balanced with our primary objectives of enhancing the biodiversity and recreational value of our woods and
the wider landscapes.
