Local Area Forum 28th April 2014

Sharphill Wood past and future

By Chrissie Wells

Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014

The ideal woodland walk….

Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014

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)

Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014

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.

Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014

Badging!

Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014

Badgering!

Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014

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]

Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014

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

Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014

All our own work

Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014

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

Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014

Surveys

Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014

Surveys

Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014

Surveys

Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014

Surveys

Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014

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!”

Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014

An historic view?