Community groups and schools can visit the Westonbirt Woodland Management Project at Westonbirt Arboretum for a variety of activities - from tree care, to coppicing and wellbeing in nature days. All our sessions are tailored to suit the group attending so we take activities at whatever pace and level suits your group. Your visit could include a variety of the activities listed below.
Summer work (April- September): Tree care
One off or multi-visit programs for groups of 5-30 participants.
Tree care:
To continue to care for our community planted woodland we will be carrying our more tree care tasks. This could involve weeding, laying mulch or surveying the trees to give them the best chance of survival.
Learning Activities:
Outdoor activities based within the community woodland and can be run as full day sessions or shorter activities.
- Measuring trees and their carbon: Use our tools and worksheets to learn how we measure the size of trees and calculate the amount of carbon they hold.
- Tree and Flora Identification: Using guides, activity sheets and a guided walk you will have an introduction and an explore of some of our native trees and woodland plants.
- Bio-blitz and Surveys: Using guides and activity sheets we will see how many different species we can spot and identify in the woodland. We will also talk about how we take scientific surveys.
Wellbeing in Nature
Being in nature is good for our health and wellbeing. Through walks, observations and gentle activities we hope to share the benefits of a day in the woods with you. Find out more and see some of our activities at Forestryengland.uk/wellbeing
Jon Muir Award
We are pleased to be able to offer sessions to complete the John Muir Award with small groups at the Community Woodland. Through the John Muir award 'Participants learn about the special attributes of wild places and the Award helps them Discover, Explore, Conserve and Share their experience of wild places.' Find out more about the award here and get in touch if its something which would interest your groups.
Winter work (October - March)
Coppicing work:
Coppicing work (cutting hazel) is part of a long-standing, sustainable woodland management practice in Silk Wood which helps to increase biodiversity. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the wider coppice restoration at Westonbirt Arboretum.
Note: Sessions require a minimum commitment of 4 days (consecutive or spread out over months), are limited to groups of up to 15 participants, and involve working outdoors in winter conditions with more specialised tools.
Accessibility and practicalities for all sessions
- The sessions are free of charge.
- Full days outside.
- The sites within Silk Wood are around a 30 minute walk from the Welcome Building, we can provide lifts if needed.
- We have spare boots, warm clothes, and compost toilet on site.
- We have installed a new stone path to enable wheelchair users to access the planting site however coppice areas may be less accessible, please talk to us about this when you book.
- Transport funding is available for those who need it.
We are working to make the project as inclusive as possible. We are very happy to work at whatever pace your group is comfortable with. If there is anything else we can do to enable your groups visit please get in touch.
To find out more about what to expect on a visit, please download our overview document.
Collaboration
If your group has specific needs or interests you think could be met by our offer we'd love to hear from you. We are extremely keen to collaborate with our groups and learn what you would like to experience.
Please do get in touch to ask any questions or discuss sessions for your group.
Book your visit
Groups which have already worked with the project can get in touch at any time to book in another visit.
We have some limited availability for taking on new community groups and schools, so if you think your group sounds like a perfect fit please get in touch.
To book or for more information, contact us at westonbirt@forestryengland.uk