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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
Active management mimics the processes that used to occur naturally in our woodlands. These include:
These techniques create a varied structure – light and shade, wet areas and dry – that support a far larger number of woodland species. This improves biodiversity and helps the woodland to flourish, becoming balanced and sustainable once again.
Our courses are for landowners, woodland workers and voluntary conservation groups looking to expand their knowledge. We also welcome apprentices, and anyone thinking about a woodland working career who’d like to learn new skills.
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.
Courses are open to people living and working in the Lost Woods project area, which stretches across Sussex from Storrington in the West to the fringes of Lewes in the East.
Introduction to coppicing
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
Upcoming course dates:
Monday 24th February, 9.30am - 3pm approx, Lag Wood, near Hassocks
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.
You will gain an accreditation at Level 3 with AIM, subject to submission of a completed assignment for marking and assessment.
We will cover:
Fee: £80
Upcoming course dates:
Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th April, 9.30am - 4pm, Woods Mill, Henfield
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
Upcoming course dates:
Tuesday 6th May, Woods Mill, Henfield
Thursday 12th June, Woods Mill, Henfield
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 improving coppicing techniques. On the second course day we will discuss and make a range of coppice products from hazel using traditional hand-tools.
This course will cover:
Fee: £80
Upcoming course dates:
Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th March, 9am - 4pm, Lag Wood, Hassocks
Emergency First Aid at Work for Forestry Operations
This is an accredited Emergency First Aid course with additional provision for those engaged in Forestry Activities. You will learn:
Fee: £67.50
This course is run by an accredited provider and places on the course can be arranged on demand. Please register your interest and we will be in touch with possible course dates.
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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