Branching Out

The project aims to protect and restore seven ancient semi-natural woodlands across Cambridgeshire through a programme of coppicing, ride widening, mowing, removal of alien and invasive species, deer control, pond restoration, scrub clearance and hedgelaying. Ancient semi-natural woodland is under threat from a number of factors, including clearance for development; overgrazing by deer, rabbits and hares; invasion by non-native species such as sycamore; and cessation of traditional management practices, particularly coppicing, which has caused a reduction in structural and species diversity within many woods. If we do not protect the project sites we will witness a rapid decline in their quality as wildlife habitat.