Local Area Forum 28th April 2014
Sharphill Wood past and future
By Chrissie Wells
The ideal woodland walk….
Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014
Beginnings
 First meeting 22nd January 2008
 Joint Management RBC, NWT and
Friends Group
 Aim: To enhance Sharphill Wood Local
Nature Reserve (the site) for the
benefit of the local community and for
flora and fauna
 Site is also a SINC (Site of
Importance for Nature Conservation)
Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014
Objectives

To promote co-operation by fostering effective partnerships

To enhance, develop and monitor the management of the site.

To promote the site as an educational resource for local
organisations.

To discourage anti-social behaviour or activity that may cause
damage to the site and its flora and fauna.

To organise events and activities to promote the site and protect
its flora and fauna.

To manage the site & undertake work to conserve and enhance it.

To provide training for group members and the wider community

To promote the site and the group more widely.

To help fund raise so that the group can develop and improve
existing & new features

To liaise with other groups with similar aims to exchange
information & develop ideas.
Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014
Badging!
Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014
Badgering!
Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014
Plan A…..
5 Year Management Plan converts Constitution
into activities and tasks. Key Objectives: Maintain and enhance the habitat types and
species present
 Combine habitat enhancement and management
with education, recreation and access provision
 Encourage public understanding and awareness of
issues relating to the site
 Conserve and interpret the archaeological and
historical elements on the site
 Monitor effects of management and visitor use on
the wildlife on the site [through surveys]
Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014
Just some activities
 Encourage people to keep to the paths
 Report anti social behaviour
 Collect litter
 Coppice
 Maintain Wood boundaries
 Organise and carry out surveys
 Encourage nest building by birds
 Foster balanced growth of trees and shrubs
 Organise events and volunteer parties
 Involve young people and children
Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014
All our own work
Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014
Some achievements
 Rushcliffe BC Award Winners 2013
 Big reduction in paths and trampled areas
 Opening of Sharphill as a Local Nature Reserve
 Jubilee oaks from Woodland Trust
 Number of whips planted
 Involvement of young people and children’s groups
 443 person hours of work in the Wood per annum
 Excludes secretarial administration, meeting hours, financial
management, involvement in Development consultations,
media and promotion work, fundraising
 Inclusion of wildlife surveys in national organisations
 Supporting the development of the Mitigation Plan
Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014
Surveys
Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014
Surveys
Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014
Surveys
Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014
Surveys
Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014
New priorities & challenges
 Protecting the Wood in preparation for the large
numbers of new residents + pets
 Development of new Mitigation Plan?
 Continuing to manage the tension between leisure
and protection
 Departure of two supportive NWT staff
 Monitoring the impact of pressure on the Wood
 Plus “same old, same old!”
Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014
An historic view?
Friends of Sharphill Wood April 2014