Suitable for: Small woodland owners

Considerations: Classroom based, partially outdoors

Refreshments: Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available throughout the day. 

What to wear: Sturdy shoes, clothes that you can get messy, warm layers

What to bring: Paper and pen for taking notes

The course: 

A WMP is an essential tool for progressive and practical management, and helps support access to grants and funding.

This specially developed course will help overcome the practical and psychological barriers small woodland owners can face, and help you develop the confidence to write an effective WMP.

Over two comprehensive days, you will be guided through the key operational requirements, draft your woodland management plan, and have the opportunity to discuss and develop your ideas with the group.

For the practical parts of the course, we will be using Old Ley’s Wood, a mixed broadleaf and conifer woodland with many different stages of management to explore -  overstood hazel, extensive natural regeneration and planted woodland after conifer clearfell, older broadleaves and an established network of paths and tracks.  

You will learn:

- The benefits and opportunities of WMPs
- Key guiding principles
- How to identify and prioritise your objectives
- How to develop a framework for your WMP

Your tutor

Jim has over 30 years of experience in forestry and woodland management. After studying at Wye College (University of London), he worked in New Zealand before returning to the UK to build a career in sawmilling, forestry contracting, and land management across both the private and voluntary sectors.

With a strong focus on multi-functional woodland, low-impact methods, and community involvement, Jim has developed deep practical expertise. He later moved into education, joining Harper Adams University where he teaches forestry and forest products, and leads the postgraduate Forestry Management programmes he helped design.

Jim has also served on the Council of the Institute of Chartered Foresters and chaired their Professional, Education and Scientific Committee. He remains active in the sector through advisory roles, including with the Woodland Trust. His current interests include applied silviculture, sustainable woodland enterprise, and alternative woodland establishment methods like direct seeding.