Improving Trench Wood for Wildlife

Trench Wood is a 42ha ancient woodland and SSSI. The site is a flagship WWT nature reserve and is jointly managed with Butterfly Conservation, due to its importance for rare butterflies. The site’s biodiversity value is now threatened due to a severe decline in the condition of entrance and track ways, making it impossible for the Trust to carry out a much needed programme of conservation work.

The project includes employing contractors to:
1) Extend the stoned entrance ways so that they are able to withstand the weight of large timber lorries.
2) Carry out a programme of silvicultural thinning, the creation of wide, three-tiered rides and glades to provide open space and an improved habitat for butterflies, birds and woodland flora.
3) Restore a pond within the woodland, important for great crested newts and dragon/damselflies.

All elements of the project will lead to a direct improvement in the habitat at Trench Wood and will meet objectives set out in the national and regional BAPs.