Help with all aspects of community woodland management, from the initial planning stages through to managing woodland operations.
SERVICES FOR SOCIAL ENTERPRISES AND OTHER community groups
Having worked first as a Forest Manager with a national forest management company and then with a national firm of land agents, my work has brought me into contact with community woodland groups and other social enterprises. I am also active in my own community, being involved in the planning for a community woodland and participating in non-forestry community activities.
I appreciate that starting a community woodland project can be a daunting experience. Even with a working knowledge of forest management, there is still a lot to consider, from funding to garnering sufficient local support for the project.
I can make things easier for you by offering advice and support in a helpful and jargon-free manner.
I can undertake scoping on your behalf to identify the main opportunities for the management and development of your woodland and to establish those factors that will have the potential to constrain the project, whether they are physical, environmental or social.
Further assistance is available in the form of help with woodland management plans, community engagement, woodland valuations, timber income and restocking cost projections, plus guidance on the viability of grant-funded woodland management operations gained from my hard-won experience.
If it is back-office support that you require, I can provide digital maps of the woodland area to assist with your project planning and to sell your idea to the community or to funding providers. I can also manage your budgets to ensure that an established project budget remains on-track.
Details of these service - and more - can be reached by clicking the boxes on this page.
Appointing a forestry consultant does not always have to be expensive and it can be money well-spent, giving you more time to work on the many other aspects of setting-up a community project. I am here to make the process somewhat easier and I recommend that you consider the following when you compare me to other forest consultants:
I will work to an agreed fixed price in many circumstances to provide you with the confidence to expect that projects will be delivered in accordance with your budget.
Where fixed prices are not possible, I provide a written estimate that is realistic and achievable.
My initial site visit is free.
With a team of contractors at my disposal, I can plan and implement a wide range of forestry works, including tree felling, installing fences, removing rhododendron and planting trees, to name a few.
I am properly insured and hold public liability insurance (£5 million), employee liability insurance (£10 million) and professional indemnity cover (£1 million). Copies of the certificates are available here.
My work is always risk-assessed, I implement a lone-working policy, and I have my own company safety policy.
I am flexible and can do anything from a full evaluation of your potential or actual community woodland to one-off visits and the provision of simple measurement and mapping services.
I will visit at a time that suits you, including weekends and evenings.
I am experienced and competent in most areas of forest management and I reply in a timely manner and I meet deadlines.
Please use the links below for more information on a few of the ways I can help.
It is not an exhaustive list, so feel free to use the form and contact details here to send me your own requirements or questions.