Contemporary and timeless furniture. Our purpose is to build furniture for life that makes people smile, every day….
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.
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.
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 in process
| Year | Survey title | Resources |
|---|---|---|
| BWS2012 | Ownership, markets and management | Full report |
| BWS2014 | Ancient woodland and planted ancient woodland sites | Full report |
| BWS2015 | Resilience and environmental change | Full report |
| BWS2017 | Shaping the future of forestry | Full report |
| BWS2020 | Changes over time in environmental awareness | Full report |
| BWS2021 | The future health of oak and attitudes to treatments in development | How to recognise a healthy forest: perspectives from private forest managers in Britain (free to access peer-review paper) |
| BWS2024 | Understanding and Supporting Public Access to Woodlands | Survey live Summer 2024, public report due late 2024/early 2025 |
| BWS2025 | Resilience | In development, launching summer 2025 |
“The insight provided by BWS in recent years has helped the Woodland Trust to understand the motivations and needs of woodland owners and managers. This is critical in allowing us to develop our offers of support to prospective and existing woodland owners. It is also vital as evidence for lobbying and advocacy in support of the woodland sector. The more people participate, the stronger the evidence.”
Mike Townsend, Principal Advisor, Woodland Trust
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
Forest & Climate Change Partnership
Forest & Climate Change Partnership
The Forest & Climate Change Partnership (FCCP) shares a vision that Britain’s trees, woods and forests are resilient to climate change and therefore able to meet their full potential to provide environmental, social and economic benefits.
The Forestry & Climate Change Partnership (FCCP) is a cross-sector group of forestry, conservation and government organisations who have come together to reaffirm their commitment to work together to promote the importance of adapting trees, woods and forests to climate change.
Climate change and the associated environmental impacts including drought, flooding, fire, pests and pathogens present serious threats to the health of our trees, woods and forests.
There is an urgent need to improve the resilience of both newly created and existing woodland to climate change.
The FCCP is working to communicate the case for adaptation, to provide training and education, inform research priorities and contribute to policy development.
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 and upholstery. 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.
Find a business at Sylva Wood Centre
The Microfactory
Daniel Bruce. Design, manufacture, management and maintenance consultancy….
Stephen Hickman – Studio Cabinetmaker
Stephen Hickman, Bespoke and small-batch handcrafted furniture….
Greenfield Woodwork
Peter Greenfield. Contemporary design alongside conservation in wood….
Leatham Creative Woodwork
David Leatham. Furniture, Woodwork, Art and Design….
Face North Forestry
Nick Keighley. Professional forestry contractor offering low impact management of the rural environment, plus mobile sawmill and firewood processing….
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
