Have any questions?
01603 814869
Have any questions?
01603 814869
A Woodland Management Plan, also known as WMP, encompasses what you, as a farmer or landowner, would like to see happen within the woodlands on your land. Proposed management actions that make up a WMP should ensure the health of woodland – along with fauna and flora – on your land for both the near and distant future.
Woodland Management strikes a balance between habitat enhancement for farmland and economic gain for a farm business. By obtaining a felling licence, measures can be taken, such as tree thinning or proper disease management to allow local habitats to thrive. Through ride restoration/creation or timber extraction, Norfolk farmers and landowners can introduce new revenue streams to further the growth and prosperity of their businesses.
Agroforestry, the integration of trees and shrubs into farming practices, offers a multitude of benefits for Norfolk’s agricultural landscape. It enhances soil health, improves water quality, boosts biodiversity, and combats climate change through carbon sequestration.
Economically, agroforestry diversifies income streams, improves crop yields, and reduces costs. Additionally, it creates opportunities for eco-tourism and carbon credit schemes.
In the long term, agroforestry fosters a resilient and productive landscape, adaptable to challenges like extreme weather.
Norfolk FWAG supports farmers and landowners in implementing agroforestry practices, helping them access funding through schemes like the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.
Norfolk Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group specialise in Woodland Management services for farms as part of agricultural conservation efforts. Members can access our farming advisory service at discounted rates compared to non-members and this provides you with expert Woodland Management services to benefit your land, such as us marking veteran trees as part of a woodland survey for future monitoring of these priceless biodiversity hubs.
As for the process of a Woodland Management Plan, the writing of a WMP is an involved process that entails:
From here, Woodland Management will progress to consulting with Historic Environment as well as the client’s Environmental Record Centre. In regards to agent fees, there is a Countryside Stewardship (CS) stand-alone grant that may be available to you. Once approved, this will cover a decent proportion of the agent’s fees and will be valid for 10 years.
By taking Woodland Management seriously, both Norfolk farmers and the environment can reap the rewards. With a Woodland Management Plan in place, you enable yourself to manage your land better, providing health and longevity to your woodland area(s) by following your chosen management plan.
By becoming a member of Norfolk Farming Wildlife and Advisory Group, you can benefit from instant and regular access to our team of professionals at preferential rates compared to non-members. Through our farming advisory service, we match you with an expert on our team who specialises in managing and enhancing woodland on farms.
There are multiple advantages to creating a Woodland Management Plan – from the protection of priceless veteran trees to enabling farmers to apply for CS Higher Tier – and our experts can aid you in navigating all aspects that may apply to you, such as deer management plans, felling licences, and woodland grant schemes.
During the winter of 2023-2024, Norfolk FWAG team members, Evan Burdett and Henry Walker, worked with Norfolk County Council to identify ponds eligible for restoration and opportunities for pond creation to reverse terrestrialisation.
Our team set out with the goal of creating a detailed report that would provide an understanding of this situation, which would then assist in targeting environmental stewardship options and other initiatives.
In celebration of Earth Day, a spirited group of volunteers from Crisp Malt joined forces with representatives from Norfolk FWAG — Henry Walker and Bea White — along with farmer, Nick Anema, for a day of tree guard removal.
As the Norfolk delivery partner for the DEFRA Future Farming Resilience Fund-funded Royal Countryside Fund run, and Farm for the Future programme, Norfolk FWAG’s Sasha Wells and Bea White are providing essential support to farmers.