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What is being done to save our woodland?

The decline in the number of woodlands or those without appropriate management has been reversed.

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Protection Through Agreement

Woodlands can be protected by law, for example:

• Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)
• Special Areas of Conservation
• Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve

Financial Incentives are available to landowners to conserve and enhance their woodlands, for example through:

• North Peak and South-west Peak Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs)
• Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS)
• Woodland Grant Scheme (WGS)

Veteran trees, either singularly or in groups, may be protected in law by having a Tree Preservation Order placed on them so aiding their conservation, and protection.

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Protection Through Ownership

Some sites are actually owned or managed by conservation organisations eg. the Peak District National Park Authority, the National Trust (NT), local Wildlife Trusts (WTs)

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Protection Through Partnership

The Peak District Biodiversity Action Plan (PDBAP) has been compiled by a partnership of conservation organisations, government agencies and landowner/manager representatives, led by the Peak District National Park Authority.  It aims to highlight threatened habitats and species and to prescribe measures that will ensure their survival.

The PDBAP aims to restore and extend to their former glories our native ash and oak woodlands and the parkland landscapes that were once commonplace by:

• Ensuring that woodlands, and the irreplaceable flowers, shrubs and wildlife that they support, are safeguarded for the future.
• Enhancing and extending the scattered trees and relics of old woodlands to create a network of well managed woodlands that can be enjoyed by future generations.

The PDBAP hopes to achieve these aims by numerous actions and a mixture of partnerships, planning powers and persuasion including:

• Conversion of plantations, especially those on former ancient woodland sites, to native woodlands.  This can be achieved through the sympathetic removal of introduced trees and other non-native species, and the planting of native species.
• Examining the opportunities for re-introducing sustainable industries and crafts into our woodlands e.g. charcoal making.  Woodlands that are managed and worked in a traditional manner will have both economic and biodiversity benefits.

An example of partnership working to restore Peak District woodlands is the Alport Project in the Upper Derwent Valley.

The overall aim of this project is to create and nurture a more semi-natural landscape - a landscape more in keeping with the features and characteristics of the Dark Peak.

The National Trust acquired the Alport Valley and, in partnership with the Forestry Commission, began working with the Alport Advisory Group (a body of partner organisations and local representatives) to convert 426 acres of coniferous plantation into mixed broad-leaved woodland with a variety of native trees, shrubs and ground flora.  Work includes clear felling some coniferous plantations and removal of conifers from remnant broad-leaved woodland to allow them naturally to re-generate.  The first conifers were felled earlier in 2003. 

If you are interested in finding out more about the Peak District Biodiversity Action Plan for woodlands then follow these links:

Oak/birch woodlands
Ashwoods
Parkland and veteran trees
Wet woodlands

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