Develop a woodland management plan

This standard covers the activities required to develop a woodland management plan (WMP).

To develop a woodland management plan it will be necessary to identify key aspects and features of the woodland, to determine the key management objectives required and plan how these will be achieved and monitored.

You will need to take account of any restrictions affecting the work e.g. designated sites, presence of listed structures, wildlife, non-native invasive or protected species etc.

Your work must conform to all the relevant legislation, codes of practice industry standards and guidance.

1. maintain the health and safety of yourself and others at all times, in accordance with the relevant legislation and codes of practice
2. assess the risks associated with the site when carrying out a site survey in accordance with organisational procedures
3. check any designations or statutory requirements in place that may prohibit or place conditions on the work to be carried out, and contact the relevant statutory body to obtain formal consent
4. check if an Environmental Impact Assessment is required and how to apply for this
5. carry out a site survey to provide key information for the woodland management plan
6. provide a grid reference and measure and record the size of the site using the relevant equipment and sources of information
7. identify the access routes to the woodland, considering their suitability for the extraction of timber and the actions required for improvement
8. identify and record the current structure and diversity of the woodland
9. identify and record significant features
10. identify and record any risks or issues
11. identify and engage with key stakeholders
12. confirm the purpose, scope and objectives for the woodland that is to be managed, including environmental, social and economic
13. determine a long-term management strategy designed to achieve/maintain a diverse structure of habitat, species and ages of trees appropriate to the scale and context of the woodland
14. confirm that the strategy addresses the objectives and how relevant interests and issues have been considered
15. develop operational plans for sustainable woodland management, including felling and re-stocking
16. produce costings for the plan, including initial and ongoing costs of implementation, income streams and possible sources of funding
17. determine how the effectiveness of the woodland management plan will be monitored and how often
18. present the woodland management plan and supporting documentation in the appropriate format to the relevant authority for approval
19. complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with legal and organisational requirements

1. how to identify hazards and assess the risks associated with carrying out a site survey, the relevant health and safety procedures and Safe Systems of Work (SSoW) – including lone working where appropriate
2. current legislation and codes of practice, industry standards and guidance, organisational policies, procedures and protocols, business and professional ethics that are relevant to your area of work, and to which you must adhere
3. when a woodland management plan is required and the process to be followed
4. when an Environmental Impact Assessment is required
5. how to check if any designations or statutory requirements are in place and the requirements for contacting the statutory body
6. the legal responsibilities relating to protected woodland species, woodland management and woodland access
7. where to obtain information regarding existing and proposed site access routes
8. a range of survey techniques and methods of collecting data and how to use these, including primary and secondary sources of data
9. how to read Ordnance Survey maps, use GPS equipment and measure areas from maps and the size of the site from the ground
10. the importance of having a range of tree species and making an inventory of existing trees
11. how to identify and collate information on significant features and take into consideration their impact
12. how to identify and collate information on risks and issues and take into consideration their impact
13. the importance of identifying and consulting with all stakeholders and how this can be done
14. the purpose, scope and objectives of the woodland that is to be managed
15. the environmental, social and economic value of sustainable woodland management
16. how to determine a long-term strategy for the woodland and what needs to be included
17. how to incorporate key aspects into operational woodland management plans
18. the importance of monitoring the success of the woodland management plan and how to determine the most effective method for this
19. the procedure for submitting the woodland management plan for approval
20. the legal and organisational requirements for the completion and storage of documentation

Risks or issues:
• presence of deer or grey squirrels
• presence of livestock or other mammals
• general plant health
• potential for resilience to climate change
• any other threats or hazards

Safe System of Work (SSoW) – is a method of work that puts in place control measures arising from a risk assessment, in order to manage identified hazards, which are broken down into four elements: safe person; safe equipment; safe place; and safe practice.

Significant features:
• soils, drainage
• water sources
• historical aspects, including past usage
• ground flora, dominant species and any protected or invasive species
• fauna, especially any rare or notable species
• archaeological features
• any other features of significance
• environmental, social and economic value of the site

Stakeholders could include:
• neighbours
• local authority
• statutory bodies
• recreational users of the site
• other interested parties

Structure and diversity of the woodland:
• habitat type
• age, species, density, origin and distribution of existing trees
• stocking, composition and condition of any natural regeneration
• open spaces