National Forest: Community Groups Manage Woodlands
Read how the National Forest’s community groups support sustainable woodland management, improve health and wellbeing, enhance woodland access, and support wildlife.
National Forest facts:
- established in the 1990s: the first broadleaf forest to be created at scale in England for more than 900 years
- spans 200 square miles of the Midlands (Leicestershire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire)
- overseen by the National Forest Company (NFC), with a mission to increase forest cover from 6% in the early 1990s to 33%; 25% cover has been achieved to date
- mainly rural and peri-urban native broadleaf woodlands
- woodlands are planted on both private and public land
- most community woods are managed for recreation and wildlife rather than timber production
- aims for 80% of the woodlands to have some level of public access, for walking and, in some cases, cycling and horse riding
Community groups play a vital role in maintaining woods. By engaging local residents, these groups contribute to the sustainable management of woodlands through activities including:
- tree thinning
- habitat management and creation
- wildlife surveys
- litter picking
- organising local events
- helping to maintain newly planted trees
- leading guided walks
Thousands of people are already involved, volunteering through 70 community woods groups and conservation organisations. In 2021, these groups were brought together in an informal Community Woods network .
Zoe Sewter, NFC Volunteer and Wellbeing Officer said:
We have found that the range of works volunteers can undertake is limited only by skills, time and available resources. Given sufficient training, access to funding and a pool of able and motivated volunteers, the sky is the limit.
Two community woods volunteers carrying out woodland thinning operations. Copyright Darren Cresswell Photography.
Growing urban woodlands
In the National Forest , urban woodlands are typically on reclaimed land or within housing developments. It’s normally these types of woodlands that are community-managed, close to homes, often planted in the last 30 years and publicly owned. As part of a recent National Lottery Heritage Fund funded project, 9 new sites have been planted and 3 older woods brought under community management.
Public rights of way and permissive routes connect communities to the woods and link to nearby footpath networks. In urban woodlands, paths are mostly surfaced enabling year-round access. In the rural and peri-urban sites the paths are usually grassed rides, meaning that maintaining the paths and woodland can be tricky in wet winters.
Pupils from Fairmeadow Primary School helping to create Oversetts community wood, a new woodland on the outskirts of Swadlincote. Copyright NFC.
Funding and income
The NFC has secured external grants over the past 6 years to support its Community Woods programme, covering staff salaries, setup costs, land purchases, capital purchases, community engagement and volunteer training. Outside the National Forest, local councils, parish councils, or voluntary sector organisations may be able to provide seed funding for similar projects.
To ensure financial sustainability, community groups have also generated income through various methods, including:
- selling community shares
- charging annual membership fees
- paid events (such as wreath making and guided walks)
- renting space/facilities
- plant sales and charity events
- selling products (such as charcoal and wooden ornaments)
- obtaining grants for woodland management and tool purchases
Groups like the Heartwood Community Woodland Group have introduced schemes such as ‘logs for labour’, where volunteers can exchange work (helping to fell some trees in thinning operations) for wood fuel or green crafts.
Heartwood volunteer starting the retort to make charcoal in the woods. Copyright Rod Kirkpatrick.
Benefits for woodlands and people
The involvement of community groups has brought a wide range of benefits, including:
- for the woodlands: positive management improves biodiversity and habitat condition, as well as enhancing amenity value
- for the owners: support with their woodland management; landowners gain committed volunteers who help maintain paths, monitor wildlife, and tackle conservation tasks
- for the volunteers and local community: volunteering has health and wellbeing benefits and provides a closer connection to nature. Local people feel a stronger sense of connection to the woodlands as they develop, helping reduce anti-social issues like littering and vandalism
- for visitors: improved quality of access to the woodlands and richer biodiversity to enjoy
Zoe Sewter, NFC Volunteer and Wellbeing Officer said:
It also means more eyes are looking at the wood and checking that everything is OK. Volunteers can report issues, flag safety concerns and keep pathways clear. Of increasing importance, regular visits in different seasons can spot signs of pests and disease early, and get reported to the landowner so mitigating action can take place as required.
Creating a network
Before the introduction of the Community Woods programme, volunteer groups within the National Forest largely worked in isolation, each managing their own woodland without broader connections.
The creation of the Community Woods network has been a transformative initiative, nurturing collaboration and knowledge exchange among these groups. By connecting volunteers, the network provides a platform for sharing experiences, skills, and resources, creating a vibrant community of practice. This peer-to-peer support has been particularly valuable for new groups, who can now learn from the successes and challenges faced by more experienced counterparts.
Overcoming challenges
Many groups face difficulties with volunteer recruitment, particularly in attracting younger members, but offering varied tasks and flexible schedules can help engage a broader range of people.
The departure of important volunteers can lead to a loss of momentum; however, building strong committees and sharing responsibilities can help maintain energy and focus over time.
A standout achievement of the Community Woods project has been the tailored training programme. Designed in consultation with the community groups themselves, the programme addresses their specific needs and has been funded through various grants. Training topics have included:
- leadership and organisation: leadership sessions for volunteer task days, to enhance confidence and team coordination
- practical skills: coppicing, small tree felling, pond management, and hedge-laying
- accredited certifications: emergency First Aid and Forestry, brush-cutter and chainsaw use, and tree inspections
The programme has received strong engagement and overwhelmingly positive feedback, significantly enhancing the skills and confidence of volunteers across the network. As a result, groups are now better equipped to manage their woodlands effectively, ensuring sustainable conservation practices and fostering stronger community ties. This combined approach of networking and training has proven instrumental in building a resilient, interconnected community of woodland volunteers, capable of sustaining long-term benefits for both people and nature.
Volunteers network at the inaugural Community Woods Network gathering at Timber Festival, 2021. Copyright NFC.
Zoe Sewter, NFC Volunteer and Wellbeing Officer said:
It’s not just about the trees. Community woodland groups are made up of people with diverse motivations to give their time – passionate individuals committed to making a difference, as well as those seeking solace in nature, such as those dealing with bereavement, health challenges, or life changes. Understanding these personal stories and motivations is vital for creating a supportive and successful volunteer environment.
Top tips for working with community groups
For anyone considering partnering with community groups in their woodland management, here are some top tips:
- establish trust and clear communication: building mutual trust between volunteers and landowners is essential; set expectations early and ensure open, ongoing communication
- set realistic work expectations: ensure that the group has the necessary tools and support to complete tasks, for example, if the use of power tools is not permitted, avoid assigning overly large tasks that could lead to frustration
- involve the group in management planning: having volunteers contribute to the woodland management plan ensures that potential issues are addressed early and everyone is aligned
- enter into a formal agreement: use contracts, licences, or leases with clear terms (ideally 5+ years) to outline expectations and responsibilities. Include break clauses to allow for flexibility if circumstances change
- plan for changes: if the relationship needs to end, ensure there’s an exit strategy in place, with plenty of notice to avoid frustration or feelings of wasted effort
- build in flexibility: site constraints, such as wildlife designations or securing capital funding, can be challenging. A clear plan of action and thorough research before starting can help, but other problems such as bad weather can be unavoidable. Build flexibility into timescales and have contingency plans
Zoe Sewter, NFC Volunteer and Wellbeing Officer said:
Also, be prepared for the unexpected! The Covid pandemic disrupted plans and presented unforeseen challenges for many groups within the Community Woods network. But with resilience and flexibility, these obstacles can be overcome.
Learn more about the National Forest
https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/managing-woodlands-with-community-groups-in-the-national-forest