Wiltshire’s Woodland Biography: a new Ancient Woodland Inventory

A talk with Euan Mckenzie (Ancient Woodland Inventory Officer at Wiltshire & Swindon Biological Record Centre)

The Ancient Woodland Inventory maps woodlands which are at least 400 years old. These irreplaceable habitats have been shaped by centuries of use for fuel and building materials, but many are now under-managed or threatened from development.

As part of a Natural England-led project, Wiltshire & Swindon Biological Records Centre (WSBRC) is gathering evidence to recreate the Inventory from scratch. This will include reviewing historical maps and documents held at WSHC, as well as field surveys for woodland plants and archaeology. The new Inventory will capture ancient woodlands that are currently undesignated and help to protect them for future generations.

This talk will explore the historical and ecological value of ancient woodlands, how we are approaching this significant piece of landscape history research, and how volunteers can get involved.

FREE but please book online.

As the county’s environmental records centre WSBRC has been collecting, collating, managing and interpreting biological data for over 40 years. We make this detailed information about the wildlife, sites, habitats and geology of Wiltshire & Swindon available to agreement holders, customers and the public. By providing a range of data services we ensure that the data we hold is used to help monitor and protect the counties wildlife and habitats. http://wsbrc.org.uk/about-us/

The Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre houses the county Wiltshire & Swindon Archive and Local Wiltshire Studies Library, Archaeology team, Wiltshire Buildings Record and the Conservation and Museums Advisory Service. https://wshc.org.uk/