Last month our Derwent Living Forest (DLF) team held a Wooded Habitat Creation workshop in Darley Dale which was well attended by landowners from across the Derwent catchment. We were pleased to deliver the event in the company of the Forestry Commission and the Woodland Trust who also gave informative talks throughout the evening.

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s Derwent Living Forest programme aims to create 30,000 hectares of wooded habitats and wetland by 2050 (such as woodland, hedgerows, orchards, and wood pasture). Once achieved, this will improve the connection between the new woodlands of the National Forest in the south and the soon to be established woodlands of the Northern Forest. North-south connectivity, which this programme will provide, is critically important to allow the movement of species in response to climate change. In essence, this programme is about making more space for nature through a landscape scale approach.

We recognise that the involvement of our community members and landowners across the county is essential for achieving our vision. This workshop helped to open a dialogue with them and provided information and support towards creating more wooded habitats across the catchment.  

Our team’s presentations included a summary of the programme vision, our partners and current funding through Natural England’s Nature Returns project. Example case studies of wooded habitat creation were given by our Nature Recovery Lead and our Wilder Communities Officer explained what we can offer to support our communities through the process.  

The Woodland Trust spoke about the creation of wood pasture and the benefit of trees on livestock farms. We often think of wooded habitat as woodlands or forests; however, trees can be incorporated into the landscape through a range of approaches, for example by laying hedgerows or planting shelter belts or in field trees. To find out more about these approaches, check out this useful Woodland Trust report.

The Forestry Commission’s presentation helped everyone in the room understand more about the lay of the land when it comes to potential funding streams and support with grant applications. What’s on offer varies depending on the scale and aim of the project but this funding comparison table from the FC is a useful source of information for landowners looking into wooded habitat creation on their land.

After the talks, there was a chance for our attendees to speak to our representatives about any questions they had over some refreshments. Our mapping activity [pictured opposite] helped to locate the different areas landowners had come from in the catchment and provided a great talking point.

Overall, the event provided an excellent opportunity for us to meet with landowners and share information, such as the handbooks pictured opposite (which are also available on our website here). Everyone went away more informed about woodland creation and the support we can offer. Watch this space for details of another workshop like this one planned for January 2025.

If you’d like to receive updates as the DLF project evolves and hear about upcoming events like this one, please email ctaylor@derbyshirewt.co.uk