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Significance: Much of the Oakwood is of international importance most recognised as SAC’s. Four Oakwoods are NNR’s 2 of which are Upland Oakwoods areas, namely Black a Tor copse and Wistmans Wood. Keystone fauna species have not been formally identified yet, but could be Wild Boar, Wild cattle and Ponies and Red Deer.
1. Woodland was cleared mainly in Neolithic times and kept at bay with grazing domestic stock. 2. Many large mammals became extinct in 1st millennia AD including Lynx, Wolf and Brown Bear. 3. The remaining forest habitats of Moorland, Grassland, valley mire and bog are now of international importance as much of lowland England is ‘improved’ grassland. 4. Plantation forestry, particularly since 1950 has developed producing awarding winning low grade timber and is also recognised as an important habitat for it’s non native biodiversity. Needless to say we are trying to change opinion on this.
1. Branching Out stage of our Woods on the Wildside project is a 3 year stage to grow over 10,000 trees and plant up at least 20ha. 2. Walking and Talking the Wild project raises awareness of Biodiversity problems and fragmented ecosystems. It is a series of evening talks and day walks
Achievements:
1. Over 5000 trees planted over 4.5ha to date, over 5000 native trees growing in our 7 nurseries. Stories from the Wildwoods project, a traditional storytelling project brought inspiring and magical tales of old and new of forests and Dartmoor.
1. To plant and allow woodland to regenerate naturally 2. To promote the value of a natural forest ecosystem 3. To encourage people to actively participate in ecological restoration
