Forestry England needs local views on the future management of Savernake Forest

Forestry England is about to revise its Plan for Savernake Forest, and to help shape elements of this Plan, they are asking local people what is important and special to them about the Forest.
Savernake Forest is privately-owned by the Earl of Cardigan, his son Viscount Savernake and his family Trustees.  It covers some 4,500 acres and is the only privately owned forest in Britain.  Since 1939 the timber of the forest has been managed by the Forestry Commission on a 999-year lease.

The Forestry Commission (now known as Forestry England) have been looking after the nation’s forests for a hundred years:  “This is a life time to us – yet just a moment in the life of a forest.” 

Forestry England emphasise that managing forests and woodland requires balance: balancing the needs for trees to grow and thrive (while retaining notable and veteran trees) and the needs of wildlife flourish and the needs of people who enjoy the forest.

The forest plan provides a description of the woods as they are now, outlines the main points considered when deciding what is best for the woods, describes how the forest will develop over time, gives specific information about approved tree felling, replanting and regeneration over the next ten years.

In their email asking for people’s views, Forestry England states it is committed to ensuring that the forests they manage are resilient and healthy for generations to come – resilient against climate change, pests, disease, and pressures our changing society will place on them in the future.

A spokesman for Forestry England told marlborough.news: “The survey is an opportunity for local residents to be involved in the long-term vision for Savernake Forest’s future and how to approach forestry and land management to ensure Savernake Forest flourishes for generations to come.”

You can complete the survey here.  The survey closes on Sunday, 16 February 2020. 

For several years Forestry England’s recreation and community ranger for the Savernake area has led parties of local volunteers to work on managing areas of the Forest and protect veteran trees.  She can be contacted at this email address.