Ancient habitats programme

Information about the Ancient Habitats Programme

Ancient habitats associated with the former Royal Hunting Forest of Wychwood include woodland, ancient trees, lowland wood pasture and species rich hedgerows. The Ancient Habitats Programme aims to identify where networks of these habitats occur at the local landscape level.

The programme focuses on linking important ancient habitat remnants to enhance the cultural and biodiversity value of the Wychwood Project area. It is funded by Natural England, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Leader Plus.

The programme involves working with partner organisations such as Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre, who provided us with habitat and species data that helped us to prioritise areas for fieldwork.

Over the summer we have been carrying out woodland and hedgerow surveys to record possible ancient sites. This data will be used to identify priority areas for the creation of additional habitat and inform the management advice that we offer to local landowners.