Driving conservation forward

Grundon Waste Management has provided £20,000 to help boost conservation projects in two areas of ancient woodland near Denham in Buckinghamshire.

The money has enabled community charity Groundwork South, which is carrying out the work at Northmoor Hill Wood and Caps Wood, to buy a Land Rover to transport staff, volunteers and much-needed materials around the two areas.

Matt Hartgrove, green spaces manager for Groundwork South, said: “Both these woods are areas of natural ancient woodland and it’s important that their habitats are managed and protected for the benefit of the local flora and fauna.

“We also want to make it as easy for as possible for visitors to enjoy the woods, which is why some of the work includes restoring and maintaining footpaths and steps.”

With tree management programmes including the coppicing of trees, Matt says the vehicle enables the team to move heavy equipment around the sites, adding: “Having the vehicle has made a big difference in helping us to carry out the work and we’re extremely grateful for Grundon’s support.”

An important geological site, Northmoor Hill Woods is a popular attraction for families within the Colne Valley Regional Park as it includes a rock trail explaining how the geology of the area has determined its landscape.

Nearby Caps Wood is popular among ramblers and dog walkers for its peace and seclusion and the ancient broadleaf woodland provides a wide variety of plant and animal life.

Further funding for the restoration and conservation work has also come from Grundon through the Landfill Communities Fund, as well as from Colne Valley Park CIC*, which recently took over management of the woods on a 99-year lease from Buckinghamshire County Council.

Anthony Foxlee-Brown, marketing and communications manager at Grundon hands over the keys to the Land Rover to Debbie Valman of Groundwork South.