Management Plan

Conserve and enhance the wildlife and habitat value of the patch.
Engage and involve the local community in promoting objective 1 through practical action and participation in the management of the patch.
Improve the amenity and recreation value of the patch by making it a more attractive place to visit and spend time in.
Raise awareness of the wildlife, habitat and amenity value of the patch through various education and interpretation activities e.g. open days, guided walks, developing links with schools and community organisations, creating and siting interpretation boards etc.
Encourage responsible access to the patch for all appropriate individuals and groups.

General Proposals

Raise the profile of the patch and encourage local involvement and participation in all aspects of the project.
Survey on a regular basis and in different seasons to build up a more accurate picture of the patch and monitor the impact of the management plan on wildlife, habitat and amenity value.
Liaise with the allotment society over mutual issues of interest and concern and to discourage any dumping by allotment owners of unwanted material.
Liaise with the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) Scotland or the appropriate body over obtaining Community Woodland status for the patch.
Apply to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) for a grant under their Community Grants Scheme to fund aspects of the ongoing improvement of wildlife, habitat and amenity value of the patch
Improve the surface of the east boundary footpath.
Remove the barbed wire from the top of the south boundary wall.

(see separate woodland survey form in project file or on our wall at Hermitage House for detailed description of site, species, tree stocking etc.)

Actions/Interventions

Cutback Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam, particularly along north perimeter fence.
Remove litter and immature sycamore saplings to allow appropriate native species of tree and shrub to develop e.g. willow, hawthorn, ash, holly and elder.
Pile up dead willow branches and other deadwood in appropriate places to encourage small mammals and invertebrates to use this for habitat purposes.
Contract BTCV Midweek Team to construct a footpath beginning and ending at the pedestrian access gate.
Consider planting alder to improve the balance of suitable native tree and shrub species.
Place interpretation boards at entrance and other suitable places for education purposes.

Actions/Interventions

Cutback Japanese Knotweed, particularly around pond and along north perimeter fence.
Remove immature sycamore saplings to allow appropriate native species of tree and shrub to develop e.g. willow, hawthorn, ash, holly and elder.
Clear pond edge of elder, knotweed and ivy to allow light to penetrate and appropriate emergent and edge aquatic plant species to develop e.g. yellow flag iris, forget-me-not, common twayblade, watercress.
Cut back laurel (and eventually clear this completely) from south-west corner to allow more light to penetrate.
Clear any rubbish which has accumulated.
Pile up any deadwood in appropriate places to encourage small mammals and invertebrates to use this for habitat purposes.
Remove or secure loose stepping stones to prevent possible injury/safety risk to users.
Contract BTCV Midweek Team to construct a raised boardwalk in the wetland compartment, connecting to the footpath, to allow safe and sensitive exploration of the pond and wet wood sections of the patch.
Consider contracting a tree surgeon to remove or make safe 'hung up' willow trunk.
Consider planting alder and/or other native tree species to improve the balance of suitable native tree and shrub species and to attract birds and insects.
Place interpretation boards at south-west corner and other suitable places for education purposes.