Calling for Volunteers to Help Protect Hertfordshire's Ancient Woodlands

UPDATE: Many thanks to everyone who has expressed interest in this project. After two survey seasons and another year of dedicated work from our project lead and landscape historian, the update of the Herts AWI is now moving into its final phase. We are no longer looking for volunteer support for this project, but there are other opportunities for volunteering with the records centre for interested data-minded people. Please do get in touch to see what we else we may be able to offer.

This year HERC are delivering the Ancient Woodland Inventory Update for Hertfordshire as part of a Natural England-led national project funded by the Woodland Trust and with additional local support from Herts County Council. The Ancient Woodland Inventory is a database that identifies sites across the UK that have had continuous woodland cover for several centuries. This database was first compiled between 1981 and 1992 from paper maps and is now being updated using historical maps and field survey evidence. The AWI is a vital tool used to inform the conservation of these ecologically and culturally important habitats.

Old Park Wood © Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust

Over the last few months, our landscape historian Anne has been identifying potential ancient woodlands across the county using a range of historical maps. We have also welcomed Emily to the team as a Data Officer for Ancient Woodlands, who will be carrying out surveys looking for field evidence of ancient woodlands, such as plant indicator species and historical features, such as wood banks, ditches, and walls.

This work will be going on through the spring and summer and we are looking for historical volunteers to help with documenting the historical evidence and ecological volunteers to carry out surveys of woodlands across the county. The historical volunteers will be desk based and field volunteers will have the opportunity to survey sites across the county. Training will be provided for both these roles, but for ecological volunteers we are particularly seeking individuals with good knowledge of woodland flowers and grasses.

Hornbeams, Bricket Wood Common © Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust

Also, if you are a landowner and own any woodlands in Hertfordshire that you think may be ancient, we’d love to hear from you!

If you’d like to get in touch regarding volunteering or with information any regarding woodlands in Hertfordshire, you can contact us at enquiries@hercinfo.org.uk

We look forward to hearing from you!