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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 woodland management
June 1, 2026
This two-day course, on 1st and 2nd June, 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
Suitable for: Beginners, improvers
What to wear: Sturdy shoes, clothes that you can get messy
What to bring: Paper and pen for taking notes
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
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
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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