Lower Woods – sustainable woodland management for the future

Lower Woods is 284ha of ancient semi-natural woodland, linked by a network of wide grassy rides or trenches, supporting a huge diversity of wildlife from common dormouse, lesser horseshoe bat and nightingale, to rare butterflies such as white admiral, purple hairstreak and brown argus. Due to its size, it is a fantastic place for people to visit and experience nature at its best. The project includes a series of conservation tasks to benefit key species including: coppicing, hedge-laying, erection of deer fencing, scrub clearance and mowing & flailing of rides The project will also improve timber extraction routes to enable felling and extraction of poplar and conifer plantations which are less suitable habitat for wildlife. This will enable natural regeneration of coppice woodland, the preferred habitat for key species alongside the planting of native ancient woodland species.