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© Emma Goldsmith/ Small Woods Association
Whether you’re new to woodland management or you’d like to brush up on your skills, if you look after woods in the Low Weald and Downs then there’s a training course for you. We’re running subsidised courses on sustainable woodland management and green woodworking.
This is your chance to learn a new woodland skill, meet a range of people taking on similar challenges, and create balanced and resilient woodlands where wildlife can flourish.
Our woodlands once covered a vast area of the UK. For thousands of years, they maintained their own essential balance through natural processes, traditional management techniques and wildlife activity. But this balance has been thrown out by development, shrinking woodland habitats, loss of traditional woodland skills and planting of non-native trees.
By actively managing woodlands today, we can:
© Emma Goldsmith/ Small Woods Association
Our courses are open to anyone aged over 18 who would like to learn woodland management skills, and we encourage people local to the Low Weald and South Downs to join us. Our training courses especially appeal to woodland owners, woodland workers, and voluntary conservation group members.
The cost of training is heavily subsidised in order to make it accessible to as many people as possible. However, we have a small number of apprenticeship bursaries available to young people and those interested in finding out more about changing to a woodland career. Please contact us to discuss.
Introduction to coppicing
February 10, 2026
This one-day course is for absolute beginners who want to learn the basics of coppicing, a fundamental skill for woodland management.
This course will cover:
Fee: £45
Next course date: Tuesday 10 February, Lag Wood, Hassocks
Introduction to Coppicing and Creating Coppice Products
This two-day course is ideal for those who want to develop their coppicing skills.
The first day focuses on learning traditional techniques, and we will spend the second day discussing and making a range of hazel coppice products, using traditional hand-tools.
This course will cover:
Fee: £80
Restoring 'Lost' ancient woodlands course
Join us on this one-day course to learn the basic skills you need to identify and sustainably manage ancient woodland, and help biodiversity thrive once more.
The day will begin at the HQ of Lost Woods Project Partner, Sussex Wildlife Trust, for a discussion on ancient woodland. After lunch, we will visit a nearby site that is currently undergoing restoration.
The course will cover:
• what is an ancient woodland?
• ancient woodland indicator species
• woodland archaeology
• woodland condition assessment and planning
• restoration management techniques
• resilience to climate change, pests, diseases and invasive species
Fee: £45
Introduction to woodland management
This two-day course will help you to build the background knowledge needed to manage your woodland sustainably, and work towards creating resilient, productive woods.
The course will be tailored to your individual needs, and you are encouraged to share details of woodlands you are familiar with to aid your learning.
We will cover:
Fee: £80
We’re busy developing our full programme of course dates and locations. For now, please get in touch to find out more or join a waiting list.
I’m looking forward to meeting you on one of our courses – and seeing the difference you make with your new skills!
I was born into an estate forestry family, and have been involved in some form of woodland work ever since. Most of my career has been in the coppice industry, including teaching apprentices practical woodland management skills.
Sharing heritage skills is one of my passions, including teaching coppice restoration, charcoal burning, hedge-laying and coppice crafts. I have experience of the sweet chestnut coppice woodlands of Sussex and Kent. And I love to show how these traditional activities support the health of woodlands and enhance biodiversity.
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We’re keen to hear from landowners and groups who manage woodland. What skills and training do you need to help your woodlands and their wildlife thrive?
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