Issue - meetings

Please bring ideas for future visits.

A joint Biodiversity Forum and LCAF visit to Crowthorne Woods was undertaken on Tuesday 3 July 2012, which was featured in the local papers. Nick Hazlitt from the Forestry Commission had given a talk about the aftermath of the forest fires. Of the 170 hectares of plantation, the fire had affected 56% with 30 hectares of plantation lost. Nick had given an overview of how forestry was adapting to wildfire and climate change and how land management could benefit biodiversity.

A report of the visit was included in the agenda papers. Conditions had been ideal for a forest fire with low rainfall, unusually high temperatures for the time of year and flammable material in the forest. Fire crews from ten counties had attended the fire. To prevent loss of life or damage to property, the decision was made to contain the fire in Crowthorne Woods, thereby sacrificing it in many places.

Rotational forestry would possibly be implemented which would benefit the wildlife as well. Rhododendron and bracken spraying would be undertaken. There would be new water areas and a network of ponds to help reduce fire risk and benefit wildlife such as dragonflies. Much effort had been undertaken by volunteers to help restore the affected areas of forest and these areas were gradually improving. The fire was in Crowthorne Woods and not Swinley Forest as had been reported. The level of regeneration in Crowthorne Woods had been impressive and it was suggested that this could be used as a future case study.

Ideas for future site visits included:

• Queenswood; seeing the harvest in progress
• Crown Estate; £250,000 would be invested in bike trails here and Forum members may be interested to see how the trails would be constructed
• Jennett’s Park; tree planting and creation of new footpaths
• Shepherd Meadows; bank restoration, a possible site visit in Spring 2013
• South Hill Park; new waymark trails
• Jealott’s Hill Farm; Forum members were invited to visit the farm

John Deakin would be contacted regarding the possibility of a Crown Estate visit.

(Action: Rose Wicks)