The horses have arrived at Coed Gors y Gedol to commence woodland management work having secured funding through the Celtic Rainforest Project. We wrote previously about the Celtic Rainforest Project in an earlier Blog and we are delighted to see the preparatory work (surveys and consenting) materialise into the delivery of an important and exciting ecosystem service at our clients farm.
The work involves the selected contractors Kehoe Countryside and Carnog Horses undertaking sensitive halo thinning and extraction work. The contractors are working well as a team within the challenges associated with public access, archaeology and ecology.
This active management is intended to deliver biodiversity gains within what is described as being a special temperate rainforest habitat. Approximately 200 cubic meters of timber will be removed from the site, which is likely to be relatively small in diameter. Assessments are also likely to be made on the carbon footprint of this work which may influence how the timber extracted will eventually be used.
Numerous legacy trees have been identified and will be nurtured through the process of proximity halo thinning such that they will be given more space to develop and grow.
There may be opportunities for conservation woodland grazing to take place on site, but this will be dependent on both the reaction of the understorey to the thinning and the availability of appropriate grazing stock.
The woodland as a seed source for native tree stock is being investigated, alongside other opportunities such as biochar and charcoal production. The site is already a much-treasured place for people to walk and explore, and improvements to the sites accessibility are in tandem also being considered.
Funding opportunities are available from sources such as Welsh Government and the National Lottery Fund. The private sector is becoming much more active in this space, and we envisage an increase in positive ecosystem services such as this in the future. Local authorities and National Parks often have funds to invest in natural capital to realise some of the benefits such as biodiversity gain and recreational opportunities.
A demonstration event is being held on the 2nd of March learning more about the Celtic Rainforest project work at Coed Gors y Gedol and specifically
- Conservation of temperate rainforest habitat
- Ancient woodland restoration
- Low impact extraction with horses
- Broadleaf silviculture
- Archaeology in woodlands
The event is now fully booked but please contact the Celtic Rainforest Project Officers to express an interest for future events. https://celticrainforests.wales/contact
Baileys and Partners are excited to see the work taking place on our clients land and we would like to help more clients realise the opportunities that their Natural Capital allows on their land holdings. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss further.
