South Hertfordshire Woods | The Wildlife Trusts

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South Herts Woods

providing opportunities for species to spread

Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust

This woodland scheme, on the northern fringe of London, focuses on a broken chain of ancient woodlands that stretch from the Lee Valley to Potters Bar. This chain has enormous potential to become linked once more – providing a fabulous resource for the tens of thousands of people who live locally.

Our vision for this area is to create or connect high-quality wildlife habitats that provide opportunities for species to spread and adapt to changes in their environment, significantly increasing their chance of survival.

Virtual tour by Mike McFarlane

What's happening?

The first step of this vision was to secure a key site in the area, Balls Wood Nature Reserve. Following a ten-month fund-raising campaign the Trust acquired Balls Wood, along with the adjacent Hobbyhorse Wood, forming a total of 145 acres of ancient semi-natural oak and hornbeam woodland for people and wildlife to enjoy for many years to come.

A new three-year project, 'Woodlands for People and Wildlife', began in autumn 2011. With grants from Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Veolia Environmental Trust and Gobions Woodland Trust we will be carrying out vital woodland restoration work and increasing the number and diversity of volunteers promoting and looking after the South Herts Woods area.

Start date: April 2008

Scheme area: 9,700 hectares

Trust reserves within the scheme

Ball's Wood, Hertford Heath, Danemead, Fir and Pond Woods, Gobions Wood. Also Broxbourne Woods NNR (SAC, SSSI), Northaw Great Wood SSSI

This scheme is helping species including...

Dog's mercury, St. John's wort, mosses, green tiger beetle (which is rare in Hertfordshire), lesser spotted, greater spotted and green woodpeckers, woodcock and hawfinch.

Current threats to the landscape

Habitat fragmentation

This scheme is also...

Helping wildlife adapt to climate change, improving access for people, recreational opportunities and health benefits

Partners

Natural England, The Woodland Trust, Local Authorities.

To find out more

Email: info@hmwt.org | Tel: 01727 858901 | South Hertfordshire Woods

Living Landscapes

Find out more about our Living Landscape conservation work - targeting areas for landscape-scale nature conservation and transforming places for people and wildlife.