South Herts Woods
South Herts Woods Living Landscape focuses on a broken chain of ancient woodlands that stretch from the Lee Valley to Potters Bar.
Great news! Funding secured from Heritage Lottery Fund for three year project
South Herts Woods provide vital habitats for declining species as diverse as song thrush, grass snake and stag beetle. But perhaps it is for the butterflies that this area is most renowned. During the long days of summer, visitors will be captivated by their colourful displays, with species such as comma, white admiral, grizzled skipper and purple emperor skimming across the rides.
As with many species, butterflies can be threatened when their habitats decrease and become isolated. 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.
Securing Balls Wood
The first step of this vision was to secure a key site in the area, Balls 
Wood Nature Reserve. Following a ten month fundraising 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.
Project sites in the Woodlands for People and Wildlife Living Landscape project include:
Balls Wood Nature Reserve
Broxbourne Woods National Nature Reserve
Danemead Nature Reserve
Fir and Pond Woods Nature Reserve
Gobions Wood Nature Reserve
