Ancient woodland revived across Hertfordshire in three-year project

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 13:31 · Archive

A three-year conservation project has restored ancient woodland across seven Hertfordshire nature reserves.

The Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust's three-year Ancient Astonbury and Wilder Woodlands scheme has ended after restoring habitats, recording wildlife and involving communities across seven woodland nature reserves in Hertfordshire. The project received £162,698 in funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The conservation work brought traditional coppicing back to more than 0.7 hectares of ancient woodland, roughly the size of a football pitch. Coppicing allows more sunlight to reach the ground, creating varied woodland that supports more flowers, insects and birds. At Astonbury Wood, workers coppiced 0.32 hectares of mainly hornbeam in December 2025 and protected it from deer, with strong regrowth following despite dry conditions. Volunteers also restored smaller areas of hazel coppice at other sites, protecting new shoots with woven deer baskets.

Iain Ward, wilder woodlands officer at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, said the habitats had 'responded so positively to careful management' and that more wildlife was making use of the restored glades and coppice areas. He noted that further work remains, including opening up the main ride at Astonbury Wood and restoring ponds there to prevent them drying out completely as summers become increasingly hot and dry.

How it is being reported

• Ancient woodland revived across Hertfordshire in three-year projectA three-year conservation project has revived ancient woodland across Herts.The Comet · 19 Oct, 13:17
• Ancient woodland revived across Hertfordshire in three-year projectA three-year conservation project has revived ancient woodland across Herts.Herts Advertiser · 19 Oct, 13:17

In this story: Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust · The National Lottery Heritage Fund · Astonbury Wood · Gobions Wood · Fir and Pond Woods · Long Deans · Hawkins Wood · Hertfordshire

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