StonecatRuralEnterprises
WELCOME to the proposed Coed Berwyn (Berwyn Wood) Nature Reserve project. In the early 1990s, I Scott L. Felton established a fledgling sapling production and donation scheme now known as Stonecat Rural Enterprises (SRE). Annually since then, increasing numbers of saplings - mostly willow and poplar these days - running into thousands/annum. SRE is financed via fund raising events, donations and sales of some trees, bluebell and wild garlic bulbs.
The Ambition
It has always been an ambition to raise funds to purchase a small acreage of low value woodland and convert it into a conservation jewel, open to all as a community resource and nature reserve. That opportunity has now surfaced in the form of Coed Berwyn, a 2.5 acre coniferous plantation above the River Dee and adjacent to the A5 London to Holyhead trunk road, just two miles from Llangollen in Denbighshire, north east Wales.
The Woodland
Currently the woodland is typically light starved and this reflects the low number of plant species on the woodland floor. There are a few broad-leaved trees but 99% are larch, douglas fir and western hemlock. By gradually removing these densely planted conifers and replacing with deciduous tree species, the conservation value and aesthetic appearance of the woodland will improve many fold. Broad-leaves of course lock away more carbon than conifers and do not acidify the soil. The trees will liberally dosed with nest boxes and bat roosting/hibernation boxes.
Because of my work experience in countryside management and access to planting materials via SRE, the cost of felling and replanting is much reduced.
The Advantages
There are two principal advantages in supporting this project which separates it from other similar schemes. Supporters will be able to visit at any time - communications are excellent as is vehicular access. There is even a small parking space behind the entrance gate where a supporter could par a camper van etc for a day or two's stop over! To be considered if this project succeeds is the possibility of a small camping pitch.
However perhaps the most interesting aspect of this project is that locally, there is a great demand for firewood. It is the intention to sell the removed conifers after seasoning as firewood and the proceeds used to manage the woodland. However first and foremost, all persons pledging support will in due course, have their pledge refunded in the order they come in. So ultimately, it will cost nothing to help bring this project to fruition.
Perhaps pledgeeswould use such a return to help fund someone else's project?
Possible Problems
Now the downside to the project. The woodland is on the open market. Full details are available on the woodlands.co.uk website - North Wales section. It is perfectly possible that someone could pip us to the post and buy the woodland within the 70 day finance raising period on Peoplefund.it. If that happens, then the project must cease. The faster pledges come in, the less the likelihood of this scenario happening.
I have lots of rewards for supporters, but nonetheless, if we are beaten or if pledges don't reach the total required to purchase the woodland, then I will add all pledgees at that point to my donation list and in the Autumn of 2012, each will receive a pack of 30 x English Bluebell bulbs as a thank you. So, I hope you'll see the merit in this proposal and lend your support. Thank you.
