Woodland Trust Research (Extended)

Following on with the research aimed towards the Woodland Trust I’ve decided to look into some of the roles they require from volunteers and some of the on going appeals they need help funding. As previously mentioned the Woodland Trust protect and preserve Ancient woodlands, this in itself is a huge task, with the help of volunteers they can keep an eye out for any plans which may ruin these areas. Most plans which include this can usually be done without the need to ruin or invade the woodland itself.

One ‘job / volunteer role’  is noted as being a ‘Threat Detector’ and the information provided could be something this project could follow or even use as a path into a subject.

A Volunteer’s outlined tasks we could adhere by are as follows:

Task summary

“Keeping abreast of planning applications registered across the UK is becoming ever demanding and we need help from extra pairs of eyes spotting the applications that will put our Ancient Woodlands under threat. We need your help to support our Woods under Threat team and our campaigning groups across the UK in fighting the potential threats at an earlier stage than when the chainsaws crank up. Once planning applications that will put our Ancient Woodlands under threat are identified, we need to gather our evidence and formulate cases as quickly and efficiently as possible. You will be putting together the best case possible that will support the Woodland Trust’s fight against any further loss of ancient woodland, ancient trees or loss of valuable native woodland.”

With regards to this the last few lines which state the role requires you to “formulate cases as quickly and efficiently as possible. You will be putting together the best case possible that will support the Woodland Trust’s fight against any further loss of ancient woodland, ancient trees or loss of valuable native woodland.” this is along the lines of what we plan to do. Raising awareness on why specific areas shouldn’t be taken down is the key to the project as a whole, without this it’ll simply be a virtual world without meaning.

Beneficiaries of the voluntary role:

The role will be managed by the Campaigning Volunteer Coordinator who works with the Woods under Threat team (which is based within the wider Campaigning team) who respond to over 100 cases per annum. Campaigning and Woods under Threat sits within the Conservation and External Affairs Department of the Woodland Trust

Key Duties

• Analyzing the planning registers week to week for new planning proposals and developments that may impact on ancient woods and native trees for your designated counties.
• Respond to planning proposals and developments identified as a threat to ancient woods and native trees as requested by the Campaigning Volunteer Coordinator.
• Scrutinize written material accurately and in a measured style, to Woods under Threat criteria
• Work with the Campaigning Volunteer Coordinator identifying evidence/detail gathering required to support a case, working to deadlines.
• Liaise with the Campaigning Volunteer Coordinator on a weekly basis, updating on research progress case by case and discussing next phase developments
• Requesting information from appropriate authorities (including Local Authorities, planning service, fellow NGO’s) on behalf of the Woodland Trust
• Work with volunteer community groups who are campaigning on behalf of theWoodland Trust, offering advice in case evidence gathering as directed by theCampaigning Volunteer Coordinator
• Attend training and development days (approx 3 p.a.) relevant to your volunteer role
• Keep a record of the hours taken to deliver the task using the Woodland Trust Volunteer diary of activity sheet provided
• Identify any Health and Safety issues that you feel affect you personally and discuss those risks with the volunteer manager

With a simple search I’ve also come across all of the currently active appeals, some of which are closer to home. meaning the project could actually benefit a cause currently needing support.

Current Appeals

1. Smithhills Estate at Bolton
2. Protect the Celtic rainforest
3. First world war centenary woods
4. Heartwood forest appeal
5. Help restore fingle woods
6. Help save Smithy wood <<<< the nearby appeal we could aid.
7. Ancient woodland restoration project
8. Ancient woodland protection appeal
9. Restoring wentwood
10. Winter works appeal
11. Keep our woods looking beautiful
12. Restoring bisham woods
13. Breath new life into bovey

So as we can see they always have some sort of appeal for us public to help back/support. After looking more into each case listed above I’ve figured out that Smithy Wood is actually close to my hometown (Sheffield) and even closer to a relatives home in Chapeltown. Backed by a strong story I feel this situation would work pretty well with the brief and project idea we have. You can read more on this specific appeal at the link below:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-us/our-campaigns/smithy-wood/

However, below is a quick brief description on what is actually going on.

The proposal:

A developer has put forward a planning application to build a motorway service area in the middle of Smithy Wood. Comprising a hotel, shops and a parking area, around 20 acres of the woodland would be cut down. We are not against the provision of a new service station, but we do not agree that ancient woodland is an appropriate place to build it.

So how can I use this within the project?

Well since the site is located near my home town I have easy access to the location itself to get any required visuals without any stalling. As the area is already within the media eye it has more potential to reach wider audiences. With the details of what they’re wanting to build at the site already apparent we can physically show how it will ruin the landscape for the sake of a few building. It is important to know the woodland trust isn’t again the idea of a new service station,, they just want to get across that it can be somewhere else not replacing the ancient woodland.