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UPM Tilhill helps restore historic heathland at RSPB nature reserves

UPM Tilhill has played a central role in an environmental programme to restore vast tracts of heathland in Bedfordshire and Surrey. The work was undertaken on behalf of the RSPB and involved clearing acres of conifer plantation from two of the charity’s nature reserves.

The work, undertaken by UPM Tilhill’s harvesting south team, was completed earlier this year at The RSPB’s headquarters at The Lodge near Sandy, Bedfordshire and at Farnham Heath, Surrey. The contracts, begun in 2004, involved the total clearfelling of over 60 hectares of Corsican pine, Scots pine and Douglas fir; as well as thinning across a further 7 hectares. At Sandy, the company was able to utilise its forest brash baler to compress brash into cylindrical bales (2.6m x 0.5m) for use as bio-fuel at UPM’s Shotton paper mill in north Wales.

RSPB staff have already seen wildlife respond to the work. Heathland birds that had been absent for several years – and in some cases, several decades – have already started to return to the sites. Earlier this spring a nightjar was heard ‘churring’ at the Lodge, ‘churring’ is the grasshopper-like reeling sound made by a nightjar while it is looking for a mate.

It’s hoped that other species, such as the nightingale, woodlark, tree pipit and Dartford warbler will also return to the sites, and the RSPB has opened the first of many planned visitor trails through the new heathland so that visitors can enjoy this valuable habitat, which is under pressure elsewhere in the country.

“After just a few months since felling was completed at Sandy, the nature reserve is already beginning to look more natural,” said Peter Bradley, the RSPB’s Site Manager at The Lodge. “It will be some years before true heathland develops, but it is wonderful that the wildlife has already begun to return. What’s even better is that, through opening these footpaths, we can share this wonderful wildlife with local people.”

The landscape at The Lodge was heathland for over 5,000 years, before it was planted with conifers early in the 19th century. Periods of felling may have allowed some heathland to return briefly, the last time being in the mid 1960s. Following this felling programme, the site will remain a mixture of open heathland and native woodland, which the RSPB will manage with the help of its ancient sheep breeds.

UPM Tilhill will be tendering again this year, the fourth year of the ten year programme of clear felling at Farnham which is due to commence this autumn.

The RSPB is an environmental charity specialising in bird and biodiversity conservation, helping to create a better world for everyone. The RSPB relies on the good will and financial support of its members to achieve its aims.

Press for further information contact:
Ruth Roy, Head of Marketing, 01892 861008/07771 940494, ruth.roy@upm-kymmene.com

UPM Tilhill Marketing. July 2007