Introduction to Forestry (Rockingham Forest area) June

This training course has been made possible thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

It will cover a brief introduction to the principles of managing woodland for productivity, for climate change, for biodiversity, and for recreation and wellbeing. The course is principally aimed at individuals and organisations who own, manage or help to manage woodlands in the Rockingham Forest area (boundary of the A1 and River Nene to the east, by the River Welland to the northwest and by a line joining Oundle to Brigstock and Rushton to the south).

It is offered by the Royal Forestry Society as part of the Building the Links for the Rockingham Forest project – please check your location is within the area covered on the map.

Tutor is Jemma Cuthbert, RFS Education Officer.

The course will cover:

• Some basic local woodland ecology, including species identification and awareness of habitat needs, plus how changes to these woodlands past, present and future affect both their ecology and productivity.
• The reasoning behind different management choices for different outcomes, and some of their practical considerations. Including: thinning, felling, natural regeneration, replanting & coppicing; creating and managing open space, habitat mosaics & rides; herbivore damage, fencing & dead hedging; invasive species & tree diseases.
• Some pointers to further advice on woodland management, including regulations and grants.

Time: 10am – 4pm (Arrive from 9:30 for a 10am start)

Location: Ring Haw Field Station, Old Sulehay, near Yarwell. PE8 6PW (by kind permission of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire).

Price: £10.00

The course will be outside as much as possible, so suitable outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear are required. We will be inside the field station for some of time, including breaks and lunch.

Please bring a lunch. Hot drinks and biscuits provided.