Battram Wood Signs - The Royal Forestry Society

Objectives

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Lockhart Garratt has been involved in the Royal Forestry Society's Battram Wood since it was first planted in 1998 as part of the National Forest. The site was established as a multi-purpose woodland demonstrating how commercially viable and productive woodlands can co-exist in a publicly open area, whilst enhancing wildlife, landscape and recreation.

With this in mind, it was crucial that the public be kept informed of ongoing forestry works for health and safety reasons, and to communicate to visitors the importance of local flora and fauna from an educational point of view, but also as a way to protect important species from vandalism and excessive disturbance. LGL were asked to produce a number of interpretation signs that would communicate all of this information in a clear and informative manner.

Outcomes

To enable visitors to enter the wood at specifically accessible points, 6 access signs were produced, encouraging visitors to use the waymarked paths. The signs also allowed the visitor to understand their position within the wood in relation to adjoining public rights of way, through the use of a woodland map.

To mark the planting of the Millennium Circle (the focal point of the wood), a special interpretation sign was designed with pictures and descriptions of 6 different tree species to help visitors identify the trees growing around them.

In January 2009, LGL organised the restoration of a large wetland area involving the assistance of Ellistown Community Primary School. To mark the completion of the restoration, a year 8 class was invited to draw and paint some of their favourite local wildlife (including National Forest BAP species) for inclusion on a new interpretation sign in collaboration with LGL.

Future

Involvement of the local community in all aspects of the ongoing use of Battram Wood engenders a sense of ownership for this local natural resource.

[BACK] [For more information on this case study, please contact Alison Barrett BSc (Hons)]