Woodland Conservation Group - SHWWP

Oxleas Wood

10th January 2026

A Brilliant Start to 2026: Our First Woodland Conservation Session

Willing volunteers, a packed woodland, and a brilliant start to our first Woodland Conservation Session of 2026 (Shooter’s Hill Woodlands Working Party). Maybe it was the result of New Year resolutions to get out into nature, get fitter, or give something back to the community. Whatever the reason, we were delighted to welcome everyone!

A total of 30 people attended, including eight Explorer Scouts, supported by their leader; two volunteers introduced to us by GoodGym; and, of course, our regular Park Ranger. As well as supporting activities on the ground, the Ranger brought along essential equipment and made sure we were all treated to hot drinks and biscuits at break time – always very welcome and a chance to relax and chat. After a quick chat with the other session leaders, additional activities were identified so that everyone could get involved.

The main task for the session was to clear accumulated leaf litter and rotting material from the seasonal pond below Hotel Field, and to construct a sturdy dead hedge around it to help prevent accidents involving people or pets. The hedge will also provide valuable habitat for invertebrates and small mammals.

Kitted out in hi-vis vests (although we didn’t quite have enough to go around!), with activities explained and a health and safety briefing shared, volunteers split into smaller groups and got to work.

While some volunteers climbed down into the pond area to rake it out, others began cutting back nearby highly competitive holly, providing material for another team to construct the dead hedge. Posts were collected from the nearby coppicing area, requiring several trips up and down the steep slope, before being delivered to the pond edge. A final group then shaped the posts and drove them into the ground ready for weaving.

A break gives volunteers an opportunity to chat.

Learning New Skills

As well as getting a huge amount of practical work done, the session provided excellent opportunities for skills training.

Explorer Scouts were taught how to saw and use an axe safely and effectively, before each having a supported opportunity to practise. Later, they learned how to weave and “knit” dead hedging.

Other volunteers received a demonstration of safe tree felling, which covered:

• selecting a suitable tree away from other volunteers 

• assessing entanglements and the likely direction of fall 

• demonstrating a wedge cut 

re-checking the area before making the final horizontal cut 

• clearly calling out a warning 

Meanwhile, a final team spent an hour collecting brash from the coppicing area and transporting it to a nearby bluebell area, where it was used to fill gaps in existing dead hedges and strengthen the lower sections. Binders resulting from coppicing were carried up into Jack Wood for storage until they can be used for traditional woven fences. Nothing goes to waste in the woodlands.

Why do we do this work?

Work like this plays a vital role in keeping our woodlands healthy and safe. Clearing seasonal ponds helps support amphibians and invertebrates, while dead hedging protects sensitive areas, reduces accidents and creates valuable habitat. Skills-sharing ensures that volunteers gain confidence and experience, helping to build a knowledgeable and resilient conservation community.

All in all, it was a highly productive and enjoyable session, with volunteers meeting new people, learning new skills and helping to improve the woodlands. What could be more rewarding?