Working in woodlands is “mental therapy” for The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales’ volunteer, Karen McCullough and at the moment she is getting more opportunities to be out in woodlands than ever before.
Recent funding from Better Woodlands Wales (Forestry Commission) has meant that staff and volunteers at The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) have been given the opportunity to work on 13 sites across their patch. The work includes everything from improving woodland habitats for wonderful creatures such as dormice to dealing with the ever growing problem of Japanese knotweed and rhododendron, both of which outcompete our native species.
“Our woodlands in Wales have been managed for millennia, humans have created glades and rides which have created a chance for plants and wildlife to thrive” explained WTSWW Wildlife Trust Officer, Paul Thornton. “Historically this has been done by people taking out firewood, now we coppice trees and leave much of the wood in the woodland so that insects and fungi can benefit as it rots down.” The process has also been greatly helped by Jon Bell from Coed Cymru who drew up all of the plans.
The dormouse is a wonderful example of an animal which benefits from good woodland management, this endearing mammal requires brambles, honeysuckle and hazel for food, whilst also needing woodlands and hedgerows to move around. Better Woodlands Wales money has meant this work can be done and has also meant that greater opportunities have been opened up for volunteers such as Karen.
“I have wanted to work in conservation for a long time, but always assumed I couldn’t because I didn’t have the qualifications,” Karen reflected “however I have been told that the experiences given to me by volunteering with the trust on this will really help future job prospects.”
The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales is a charity working for wildlife from Cardiff to Aberystwyth. See www.welshwildlife.org for more details
