• Environmental Consultancy:
• Managing for Biodiversity
• Carbon Sequestration
• Wood to Energy
• Renewable Energy

Managing for Biodiversity

Fountains Forestry draws on its 50 years’ experience in the creation and management of biodiversity areas to create, enhance, maintain and improve:

• Biological diversity
• Wildlife population
• Endangered/sensitive habitat, flora and fauna
• Historical landscapes

Fountains Forestry is well qualified in forestry management within all types of designation.  In total we carry out work in 3,000 hectares designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and over 2,000 hectares designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Throughout the UK, we manage land within National Parks, work with environmental bodies and local organisations. As part of normal operational control, wildlife is protected and disturbance managed through statutory license procedures e.g. bats, badgers, birds of prey.

Examples of our work:

• In the South of England, coppicing work was carried out by Fountains Forestry to encourage an almost regionally extinct butterfly, the Pearl-bordered Fritillary, to re-establish its habitat.
• Working closely with CADW in Wales in the management and care of medieval, bronze age and ancient monument sites.
• Within South Devon we manage a160 hectare SSSI comprising a broadleaf and conifer mix. We have worked alongside Natural England for over five years to manage and enhance a prolific lichen population.
• Badger setts are protected as a matter of course; we produce specific method statements when working around their setts which are then monitored during operations.
• In the Highlands, Fountains Forestry has worked with owners to improve habitat for the rare Black Grouse.
• Fountains Forestry has also been working alongside Scottish Natural Heritage in the restoration of peat bogs in Caithness.
• The Hawk & Owl Trust has been working with Fountains Forestry’s assistance in the establishment and monitoring of owl boxes in Southern Scotland.
• We manage deer populations in forests and associated land throughout England and Scotland in accordance with Forestry Commission Deer Management Schemes and guidance from Natural England and Scottish Natural Heritage.  Grey squirrel populations are similarly controlled.
• Fountains Forestry is employed by the Forestry Commission in South West England to control the spread of Rhododendron, Japanese Knotweed and other invasive species in woodland and green spaces. This can be important in controlling the spread of tree pathogens such as the fungus Phytophthera ramorum which can affect some broadleaf species.

Our professional certifications and memberships, which demonstrate our credibility in managing the green environment, extend to the following bodies:

• ISO14001 Environmental Standard
• UKWAS (United Kingdom Woodland Assurance Standard) and FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) accreditation.
• BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries)
• ILAM (Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management)
• ConFor ( Confederation of Forest Industries (UK) Ltd.)
• CLA (Country Land & Business Association)
• ICF (Institute of Chartered Foresters)