Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust have launched a ‘Protect Local Woodlands’ fundraising appeal with a target of £54,000 to ensure our woodlands remain safe, healthy and full of life.

Local woodlands provide a peaceful place of refuge for people and wildlife. Yet, without proper care and conservation management our local woodlands could become dark, dense and lacking in the variety of species associated with a thriving habitat. As such, the dappled sunlight, birdsong, carpets of wildflowers and woodland butterflies that do wonders for people’s wellbeing would be diminished. 

Funds from the appeal will be used by the Trust towards making sure that the local woodland nature reserves it manages continue to thrive through:

• Creating and managing open clearings and pathways for more light to reach the woodland floor, encouraging plants and flowers, that in turn support rare species like the White Admiral butterfly.
• Continuing a regular programme of tree safety work, which has become increasingly difficult due to Ash dieback. Diseased Ash trees close to roads and footpaths are having to be removed to keep the Trust’s woodland nature reserves safe for people to enjoy them.

Fiona Mahon, Director of Nature Recovery at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust says,

“Woodlands provide immense value to people - economically, socially, culturally, and for our health and wellbeing. They store carbon, helping to reduce the impacts of climate change, while their roots absorb water, stabilising soil and softening the effects of increasingly frequent floods. Woodlands purify the air we breathe and offer restorative spaces for recreation and relaxation. They are vital habitats for biodiversity, supporting a rich array of plants, animals, birds, and insects. Their importance has been recognised for centuries through storytelling, folklore, and spiritual traditions - and it’s now up to us to ensure the next chapter reflects our commitment to protect them.”

Sarah Croft, Senior Individual Giving Officer at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust says, 

“Woodlands are magical places, where we can find a real sense of peace and tranquillity, and connect with nature. For example, by listening to the Blue Tits singing in the trees, taking in the damp, earthy smell that only exists in this habitat, and marvelling at the vivid colours of the moss and fungi flourishing on deadwood in all their different forms, we can slow our minds, making us feel calmer and more grounded. Nature does wonders for us and our wellbeing so we’re asking people to give what they can back to protect it.”

For those considering donating online, the Trust have partnered with the Big Give and will be taking part in The Christmas Challenge, which is a seven-day match funding campaign running between 2 - 9 December. During this time donations will be doubled at no cost to the individual, up to a total of £20,000, enabling a significant boost to the overall £54,000 fundraising target of the charity’s Protect Woodland Appeal.

To find out more about the appeal or to donate, please visit hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/protectwoodlands