19 May 2016

Learn to manage woodland for game and wildlife with the GWCT

Coppiced RideThis June the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) will launch a new Woodland Management training day in Leicestershire.

The event is hosted and organised by the GWCT research and demonstration farm, the Allerton Project, and the GWCT advisory service. GWCT are teaming up with the Woodland Trust, Kings and the Forestry Commission to deliver the informative, up-to date workshop on how to manage woodland for game and wildlife.

The day will cover a broad range of topics, from how to plan and create a new woodland to the best ways to manage an established woodland to maximise the benefits for game and wildlife. During the day there will be staff from the Forestry Commission on hand to give advice on countryside stewardship grants and licences. There will also be a tour of the Allerton Project woodlands, taking in new woodland, agro-forestry, plantation woodlands and ancient semi-natural woodland.

The course will be of interest to foresters, game managers, farmers, conservation advisers and land agents.

Head of GWCT Advisory, Roger Draycott, says: “Farm woodlands are an extremely valuable resource for game and wildlife, as well as providing wood fuel and timber. Sadly, these days they often don’t receive the same care and attention that is given to the farmed environment. This one-day course, with a range of different speakers, will provide a wealth of up-to date practical information on planting and managing woodlands to maximise their benefits for game and wildlife.”

The course takes place on 10 June at the Allerton Project and costs just £90 plus VAT, which includes lights refreshments and lunch. Attendees will also receive vouchers from Kings and the Woodland Trust for ground establishment seed mixtures and discounted planting packs.

For more details and to book online, visit www.gwct.org.uk/events/calendar/2016/june/woodland-management-workshop/

Alternatively, you can contact Lynda Ferguson on 01425 651013 or by email tolferguson@gwct.org.uk 01425 651013

Places are limited, so book now!


Notes to editors

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust is an independent wildlife conservation charity which carries out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 40 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming and statistics.  We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies.   The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.

The GWCT’s Allerton Project: The GWCT’s Allerton Project is an 800 acre commercial farm business attached to a Research and Educational charitable trust. The Project was established in 1992 with the objective of demonstrating how modern efficient farming and environmental conservation can co-exist. The development of the education objectives of the Trust has expanded substantially to several thousand visitors a year including school groups, politicians and farmers, thus necessitating the construction of a larger visitor centre. The challenge of converting a disused brick cowshed into a sustainable building was given to architect Sylvester Cheung from Melton Mowbray. 60 per cent of construction costs were obtained as a grant from the Rural Development Programme for England.