Survey (2025) feedback and responses

The mission of the Buckenham Ancient Woodland Trust is to maintain and preserve the central section of Buckenham Wood for wildlife and for the quiet enjoyment of the local community. To keep the woodland healthy, resilient, and welcoming for generations to come, thoughtful management is essential. 

We believe in being transparent, and so it was important that we were open about the management plans and work involved with the local community. We shared the recommendations from the Buckenham Wood management plan online via our website. To invite conversation, we hosted two open forum events where everyone was welcome. These were promoted through our Facebook page and emails to our supporters. We also posted a summary of the recommendations at key spots around the wood. 

To hear your thoughts, we launched a public survey (August 2025). It was shared on our website and regularly promoted on Facebook. Our trustees and volunteers also spent time in the wood chatting with visitors and inviting them to take part. The results below gathers the feedback from all survey respondents, both online participants and from those we spoke to (31 participants).

Woodlands are one of the UK’s most valuable natural assets. The Buckenham Wood management plan is the culmination of expert advice and thorough surveying of the site, resulting in a robust and tailored plan which will ensure our wood will continue to thrive long into the future. Without intervention, woodlands can become overcrowded, lose species diversity, and struggle to regenerate. Management ensures they remain vibrant, resilient, and beneficial for both wildlife and people. Here are some key advantages to taking a proactive approach to woodland management:  

1. Boost biodiversity: Managed woods support a wider range of species by creating varied habitats, such as open glades, deadwood areas, and diverse tree structures.  

2. Improving resilience: Management helps woods withstand threats like pests, diseases, and extreme weather linked to climate change.  

3. Supporting nature recovery: Activities like thinning and coppicing encourage natural regeneration and healthier ecosystems.  

4. Enhancing carbon capture: Well-managed trees absorb more carbon, improving air quality and helping tackle climate change.  

5. Maintaining public access and wellbeing: Managed paths and open spaces make woods safer and more enjoyable for people.

Without intervention, Buckenham Wood will become overcrowded and lose species diversity. We’re planning some important woodland management work to help support biodiversity and improve habitat quality. Some tree safety work will also be carried out at this time. Together with our management plan project co-ordinator and Broadland District Council we will be sourcing recommended and qualified tree removal specialist arboricultural and woodland contractors to carry out tree management work (e.g., pollarding and coppicing of trees) outlined in the Buckenham Wood management plan. 

In the Buckenham Wood managed section of the wood, we will be opening up the canopy to allow more light to penetrate further into the wood. It is likely that visitors will notice this along the southern border next to Wood Lane. Visitors will also notice a reduction in canopy around our veteran trees which are currently struggling to survive against the younger more virulent trees growing around them. 

As a result of the tree management and safety work piles of timber will start to appear in the wood. Our contractors will ensure these are positioned off the main paths and will ensure they do not cause an obstruction. The material will be processed later on and used elsewhere in the wood (e.g. brash fences). 

• Pollarding is a historic method of tree management where the upper branches are cut back to a fixed height on a regular cycle —usually above the reach of grazing animals. This encourages fresh growth and helps create specialist micro habitats and hollows utilised by woodland flora, fauna and fungi. It’s common practice and can extend the life of mature and veteran trees and manage their size in woodlands or along paths. 

• Coppicing involves cutting a tree down to its base (known as a "stool") to stimulate new shoots to grow. This traditional technique supports sustainable wood harvesting and boosts biodiversity. As the regrowth changes light levels over time, it creates a dynamic habitat for a wide range of plants and animals. 

Smaller-scale jobs—like the removal of sycamore saplings which can be done by hand - - can involve our amazing volunteers. We’ll be sharing details of potential work-days via our website and email. We’d love to see you there if you’re interested in getting involved. 

• Controlling invasive species means managing their spread to protect native wildlife and habitats. Techniques may include monitoring, limiting reproduction (e.g. removing spent flowers before they set seed, hand-pulling, digging or cutting), or selective removal from an area. The aim is to prevent these species from overwhelming the ecosystem and outcompeting native flora and fauna. Once a manageable level has been achieved, control will be ongoing. 

• Removal refers to the active elimination of invasive plants or animals from an area. For example, we aim to completely remove small areas of highly invasive Japanese Knotweed and variegated archangel discovered in the wood.

Control of the squirrels in Buckenham Wood 

The BAWT management plan has highlighted the problem caused by non-native invasive grey squirrels in Buckenham Wood. They not only strip trees of new growth but will also take eggs and even chicks. Grey squirrels are also known to take young bats. Their population will be reduced and controlled in the BAWT section of the wood.  

We will be making good use of the branches and wood chip from the removed sycamore saplings elsewhere in the wood, where they will be used to create dead hedges and edging to some other paths. However, the high traffic path along the northern edge of the wood requires additional intervention. Following a thorough investigation, we found that the ground there is heavily compacted, which is causing damage to the roots of the trees lining the path. The path is also quickly widening which is destroying the bluebell habitat. To protect the bluebells and trees, we’ll be decompacting the soil and installing a hard-wearing permeable mesh surface. This surfacing will help stabilise the pathway and prevent further compaction and erosion. 

While it may look stark at first, it will weather naturally over time, gradually filling with leaf litter and other woodland debris — becoming less visible and more in keeping with its surroundings. This approach provides long-term protection for the trees while also ensuring a safer, more accessible path for everyone. 

To support the regeneration of the woodland ecology—particularly the bluebells— clear routes through the woods will be established. As part of this work, some existing minor and/or recently formed paths will be closed. Some of these minor paths have safety concerns associated with them. Clear signage will be placed throughout the woods to let visitors know which paths will be affected in the coming months. 

The Trust is committed to ensuring access for the local community. Visitors will be able to enjoy walking around the BAWT-owned section of the woods with ease (refer to the map). We hope to keep all the main paths passable especially when vegetation grows in the summer months.

Along the northern boundary the path will be redirected back to its original route, through the fallen tree which is currently blocking the path. 

The entrances to the section of the wood managed by the BAWT close to both of the Wood Lane gates will be slighted altered. They will be shifted to level ground next to the current paths, to ensure easier access for visitors. Refer to map.

What is the evidence that dogs-on-leads is better for wildlife?

We love dogs but research shows that even well-behaved pet dogs can unintentionally disturb wildlife and damage sensitive habitats. Birds and mammals see dogs as predators, and their presence can reduce feeding and breeding activity or cause wildlife to avoid the site altogether. The scent, sound, and movement of dogs can linger long after a walk, creating lasting stress for wildlife.  

We not only want to protect the wood's current wildlife - we are ambitious to encourage greater diversity and abundance of creatures sharing the wood with us. The recent breeding bird survey has offered some fascinating insights into the health of our woodland habitat. While there’s clear potential for the wood to support a greater diversity and number of bird species, the findings suggest that it’s not currently performing as well as it could.  

One species of particular interest is the Woodcock, which traditionally uses woodland areas during the winter months. Unfortunately, disturbance—especially from dogs off leads—appears to be a significant barrier to their return. There is hope, however. By encouraging year-round use of leads and maintaining quiet, fenced-off areas, we may begin to see woodcock returning to the wood. These birds thrive in habitats with deep leaf litter and dense bramble cover, so protecting and enhancing these features will be key. 

It is important to remember that the pressures on wildlife and habitats are present year round. Nesting birds, small mammals, and rare plants don’t just need protection in spring — as with the example above, they’re affected by disturbance throughout the seasons. Even outside of nesting season, the scent, sound, and movement of dogs can cause stress and displacement for many species. 

This decision was informed not only from advice from woodland experts (Broadland District Council and Norfolk Wildlife Trust) but also from independent academic research. Research shows that even well-behaved dogs can unintentionally disturb birds and other animals. For example, the following research article (Four-legged friend or foe?), found that dog walking significantly displaces native birds from natural areas.

For more information about the impact dogs can have we recommend reading the information provided by the Wildlife Trusts. 

Additional reasons for a dogs-on-leads policy 

The recommendation to have a ‘dogs-on-leads’ policy was made by our expert consultant, and BAWT Trustees have carefully researched the background to the recommendation.  

When dogs are off lead, you may not be able to see where they poo, and so not be able clear it up. Dog urine and poo significantly increase nitrogen and phosphorous levels which reduced biodiversity. This is because these conditions favour a few nutrient demanding species of plants which outcompete rarer species. 

We also carried out a survey online and face-to-face in the wood to seek out the thoughts of visitors to the wood. Three quarters (74%) of all respondents supported our proposals for a Dog Policy. Looking more closely, we found that two thirds (64%) of dog walkers supported the Policy, while all non-dog walkers were supportive. 

This policy is about protecting vulnerable wildlife and making the wood a welcoming space for everyone. Some participants in our survey shared experiences of themselves or members of their family (including their own dog) being intimidated by some dogs when they are off lead.  

We want to create a consistently inclusive environment for all visitors — including those who feel anxious around dogs. A year-round policy helps set clear expectations and avoids confusion, especially for new visitors. 

Fencing off a selected area of the wood is a gentle way to reduce disturbance from foot traffic, giving legally protected wildlife and rare plants the breathing space, they need to thrive. This quieter zone will support a wide range of species — from nesting birds and small mammals to delicate woodland flowers that struggle to regenerate when regularly trampled. The wildlife sanctuary will enclose an area which is already not easily accessible by the public. The fences themselves will be made from locally sourced chestnut, blending naturally into the woodland. They’ll include gaps to allow wildlife to move freely, while discouraging human access. This helps create safe pockets of habitat where nature can recover and flourish. 

Evidence from other conservation projects shows that even small reductions in disturbance can lead to noticeable increases in biodiversity. For example, rare plants like bluebells and wood anemones often rebound when given space to grow undisturbed, and shy species such as hedgehogs and certain butterflies are more likely to settle in areas with minimal human presence. By fencing off these zones, we’re giving nature a chance to restore itself — and in time, these areas will become richer, more vibrant parts of the wood for everyone to enjoy from the paths and viewing points. Information boards will be positioned near the wildlife sanctuary so that visitors can learn more about the unique ecology of the area.