Anthony Dain Furniture makes bespoke furniture, cabinetry and interior joinery to commission….
Collaboration
We work with others to overcome the challenges of halting biodiversity loss and reducing climate change, while supporting the transition to a sustainable human society.
The British Woodlands Survey supports research across a wide range of important forestry topics in collaboration with universities and government partners, with the aim of advancing sustainable woodland management.
Latest Report: BWS2025
Awareness, action and aspirations among Britain’s forestry community to environmental change: Report of the British Woodlands Survey 2025
Through the British Woodlands Surveys we actively ask stakeholders – private landowners, land managers, agents, tree nurseries and businesses who have an interest in our trees and forests – about their aims and aspirations, such as the barriers to various approaches to woodland management, and also about threats, such as pests and diseases, and opportunities, such as growing the green bio-economy.
While the British Woodlands Survey complements other larger surveys, it can also reach people who own just a small amount of land, or who run a community woodland and who may be overlooked. Through Sylva Foundation we can reach these individuals who collectively make up a significant population of stakeholders in woodland management.
To deliver the surveys we have collaborated with many organisations to deliver different iterations, while government’s research agency Forest Research has consistently been a main partner.
We are building a long-term data set to compare responses year-on-year to show what is really changing in British woodlands.
British Woodlands Surveys: completed and latest activities
| Year | Topic | Download Resources |
|---|---|---|
| BWS2025 | Resilience and environmental change | Full Report plus Supplementary Materials: 1. Tables, 2. Method, 3. England Report |
| BWS2024 | Understanding and Supporting Public Access to Woodlands | Full Report plus Supplementary Material |
| BWS2021 | The future health of oak and attitudes to treatments in development | Published Paper: How to recognise a healthy forest: perspectives from private forest managers in Britain (free to access peer-review paper) |
| BWS2020 | Resilience and environmental change | Full Report |
| BWS2017 | Shaping the future of forestry | Full Report |
| BWS2015 | Resilience and environmental change | Full Report |
| BWS2014 | Ancient woodland and planted ancient woodland sites | Full Report |
| BWS2012 | Ownership, markets and management | Full Report |
“The value of the BWS as an evidence-base of the views, motivations and actions of woodland owners and managers cannot be overestimated. In the context of woodland resilience and climate change adaptation, it is a crucial resource for understanding how far along the path we have come and what the challenges are for making our woodlands fit for the future. The more owners and managers who participate, the better our understanding is, and the more effective we can be in ensuring our guidance, incentives and the way we regulate woodland supports the journey to a resilient treescape.”
Mark Broadmeadow, Head of Climate Change, Forestry Commission
Related News
Protect, Improve, Expand, Sustain
An innovative new project known as PIES – Protect, Improve, Expand, and Sustain, has been launched to help with the creation and management of woodlands across England.
The PIES project is providing a network of independent forestry agents to deliver high-quality and standardised advice to landowners across England, supporting them in planning to comply with the UK Forestry Standard, achieving Grown in Britain certification, and improving access to the Woodland Carbon Code.
Landowners taking part in the project will receive subsidised support, including one-to-one advice with ongoing online support and technical services.
The PIES team combines the strategic work and information technology provided by Sylva Foundation, the network of independent forestry managers supported by the Forest Canopy Foundation, and the work of Grown in Britain in supporting the green economy. Together, the partnership is providing a joined-up approach, supporting landowners in meeting the objectives of the government’s England Trees Action Plan.
We are delighted to be working with our partners to deliver this innovative approach to supporting landowners across England. The PIES project will help meet many of the key elements of the England Trees Action Plan, including expanding and connecting woodlands, promoting the green economy, and protecting and improving existing woodlands
Dr. Gabriel Hemery, CEO Sylva Foundation
The PIES project is no longer accepting applications for funded advice.
We are, however, exploring opportunities to extend this project. If you would like to access funded advice in the future please fill in this very short expression of interest form and we will be in touch.
This project is funded by the Trees Call to Action Fund. The fund was developed by Defra in partnership with the Forestry Commission and is being delivered by the Heritage Fund. You can find out more here.
Latest News
Resilient Treescape Research
Helping government to support land managers respond to threats from pests and pathogens in England.
Sylva is supporting the government in the design and testing of new incentives and regulation to support land managers in responding to threats from pests and pathogens in England.
The outcomes of this work are being used to help shape the government’s new Tree Health Pilot – it is a real chance for stakeholders to have a say in the future of tree health policy.
Related News
The Sylva Wood Centre
The Sylva Wood Centre is a 12 hectare site in South Oxfordshire, and is firmly rooted in the local community. We have a community of Wood Centre businesses, the Sylva Wood School, the Future Forest, including a Forest School site, and the House of Wessex.
The Sylva Wood Centre provides the base for advocacy and collaboration
Business Incubation
We provide facilities to support business incubation, including start-up units, shared workspaces, and hot-benching facilities.
Business Hub
Our hub is for small businesses and craftspeople who design, innovate or make in wood. Businesses range from furniture making and outdoor structures, to boat-building. There is also a small-scale timber yard on the site.
Teaching Barn
Our well-equipped teaching venue is providing the opportunities to deliver excellence in education and business enterprise.
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The Sylva Wood Centre is an innovative place helping to make big change happen
Circular Economy on Site
Practical Expertise Leading to Innovative Solutions
Turning our Theories into Practice
Other Initiatives at the Sylva Wood Centre
Forest School
Giving young people increased contact with, and knowledge of, the natural world
Sylva Future Forest
The Future Forest allows us to communicate the challenges trees face from environmental change
