The woodland habitats of the Malvern Hills are to be improved thanks to woodland grant support.
The Trust is pleased to announce that it has successfully secured £71,000 from the Forestry Commission for habitat work on the Hills.
Already work has begun this winter to improve the diversity of local woodlands through the removal of non-native species. Over time, many of the woods that line the lower slopes of the hills have become dark and dominated by a few non-native species including Laurel.
This hardy, evergreen plant, native to the Mediterranean, was popular with Victorian households for its shiny leaves but unfortunately, the plant has spread out of gardens and into the Malvern Hills landscape.
Laurel's ability to grow in shady places such as woodlands has resulted in a decrease the amount of light reaching the woodland floor. This, coupled with the invasion of space means that our native flora such as Hazel and Bluebells have been pushed out and have been lost.
By clearing the Laurel and other non-native species, the work aims to allow more light into the woodland, increase the amount of dead-wood habitat and allow the natural regeneration of native flora.
Diverse woodland habitats support a wide range of species including birds and rare bats and managing the woods will provide a home for more of our much-loved creatures. Visitors will also benefit by experiencing woodlands filled with light, colour and sound of our native wildlife.
