Woodlands offer an ideal place for everyone to experience nature. Whether walking the dog, taking the children out for a scavenger hunt, going foraging or practising mindfulness – being out in the woods will most likely boost your mood and sense of wellbeing.
To help our woodland habitats and their wildlife to thrive, here’s how to plan you visit so you leave no trace behind.
Our project partner The Woodland Trust offers these excellent tips on how best we can all play our part to protect our local woods.
Protect fragile wildflowers like bluebells, and ground-nesting wildlife such as skylarks and woodcocks, by sticking to the paths. You’ll allow precious seeds to grow, prevent plants being trampled and stop the woodland floor becoming bare and muddy.
Dog mess is unsightly, spreads diseases to animals and people, damages the soil and it’s horrible to clean off your shoes. Keep woods clean and healthy by taking your dog’s poo home.
Wildfires can destroy habitats, kill wildlife and put people's lives at risk. Bring a picnic to enjoy instead of lighting a fire and leave your BBQ at home.
Voles, amphibians and other wildlife can get trapped in or poisoned by litter. Take your litter home.
Setting up camp crushes delicate plants and disturbs these woodland havens. Leave the sleepovers to the wildlife, unless you’re in a designated woodland campsite.
Routes to woodlands are used by neighbours, farmers and emergency vehicles. If there’s nowhere to park considerately, come back another time.
The ground you're cycling on is an essential part of a healthy woodland. Mountain biking in the wrong place damages this, leaving the woodland floor bare and muddy. Check for guidance before you visit. Make sure you only ride on the designated trails and bridleway.
Never consume a wild plant or fungus unless you are certain of its identification and sure that it is not a rare species. Only collect flowers, leaves, fruits and seeds where they are in abundance so that you leave plenty behind for wildlife.