local area forum 28 th april 2014 sharphill wood past and future

Local Area Forum 28th April 2014

Sharphill Wood past and future

By Chrissie Wells

Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014

The ideal woodland walk….


Beginnings

First meeting 22nd January 2008 Joint Management RBC, NWT and Friends

Group Aim: To enhance Sharphill Wood Local

Nature Reserve (the site) for the benefit of the local community and for flora and fauna

Site is also a SINC (Site of Importance for Nature Conservation)


Objectives To promote co-operation by fostering effective partnerships To enhance, develop and monitor the management of the site. To promote the site as an educational resource for local

organisations. To discourage anti-social behaviour or activity that may cause

damage to the site and its flora and fauna. To organise events and activities to promote the site and protect

its flora and fauna. To manage the site & undertake work to conserve and enhance it. To provide training for group members and the wider community To promote the site and the group more widely. To help fund raise so that the group can develop and improve

existing & new features To liaise with other groups with similar aims to exchange

information & develop ideas.


Badging!


Badgering!


Plan A…..5 Year Management Plan converts Constitution into activities and tasks. Key Objectives:-

Maintain and enhance the habitat types and species present

Combine habitat enhancement and management with education, recreation and access provision

Encourage public understanding and awareness of issues relating to the site

Conserve and interpret the archaeological and historical elements on the site

Monitor effects of management and visitor use on the wildlife on the site [through surveys]


Just some activities Encourage people to keep to the paths Report anti social behaviour Collect litter Coppice Maintain Wood boundaries Organise and carry out surveys Encourage nest building by birds Foster balanced growth of trees and shrubs Organise events and volunteer parties Involve young people and children


All our own work


Some achievements

Rushcliffe BC Award Winners 2013 Big reduction in paths and trampled areas Opening of Sharphill as a Local Nature Reserve Jubilee oaks from Woodland Trust Number of whips planted Involvement of young people and children’s groups 443 person hours of work in the Wood per annum Excludes secretarial administration, meeting hours, financial

management, involvement in Development consultations, media and promotion work, fundraising

Inclusion of wildlife surveys in national organisations Supporting the development of the Mitigation Plan


Surveys


New priorities & challenges

Protecting the Wood in preparation for the large numbers of new residents + pets

Development of new Mitigation Plan? Continuing to manage the tension between leisure

and protection Departure of two supportive NWT staff Monitoring the impact of pressure on the Wood Plus “same old, same old!”


An historic view?

local area forum 28 th april 2014 sharphill wood past and future

Documents

sharphill wood local

sharphill wood past

flowers dead wood

friends groupaim

nature experts

local community

campaign group

group members