Mann Wood
92 acres for
Wilderness, Wildlife & People
Wilderness Foundation proudly announces the acquisition of Mann Wood,
a designated ancient semi-natural woodland, in Great Leighs, Essex.
We are grateful to our funders, Biffa Award and Banister Trust for their support.
Learn more about Mann Wood…
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For the last few years, we have been delivering our Wilderness programmes, including Forest School, TurnAround, Blossom, Out There Academy and Brave Futures groups for vulnerable young people and adults at Mann Wood.
This 38.5 hectare woodland located between Chelmsford and Braintree, has been one of the sites we use for outdoor nature based therapy, alongside our main site in Chatham Green, five minutes down the road. As from March 2024, we are the new owners of this beautiful 100 acre woodland where we hope to:
- Protect Mann Wood from the increasing pressures of development
- Manage it with wildlife in mind
- Make a contribution to climate change mitigation and biodiversity enhancement
- Create a model woodland that showcases the value of minimal intervention practices
- Give more people the chance to change their lives for the better through outdoor therapy
- Showcase and deliver our social intervention and environmental education in a secure and permanent home in a manner that ties in with our environmental management.
THE STORY SO FAR
Mann Wood is a designated Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland, significant parts of which has historically been managed as coppice with standards. Species consist predominantly of hornbeam and small-leaved lime coppice, with some sweet chestnut and alderunder oak standards. Birch regeneration is common throughout.
Its location and old growth characteristics makes it an important haven for biodiversity and for social benefit. It is a substantial size for the area it is located in, nestled within an arable farm landscape but being in close proximity to a Wildlife Trust nature reserve (Sandylay and Moat Woods) and the expanding urban centres of Braintree and Chelmsford.
Ancient woodlands have been around for centuries, long enough to develop into complex ecosystems with precious communities of plants, fungi, insects and other fauna. They take hundreds of years to establish and are defined as irreplaceable habitats, but woodlands offer a wide range of benefits beyond supporting biodiversity. Trees can support health and wellbeing, improve air quality, prevent nutrient loss and soil erosion, improve water quality and reduce the risk of flooding. Woodlands help tackle the climate emergency, capturing and storing carbon and helping mitigate against the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. Woodlands can also offer opportunities to earn credits for ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and storage, flood mitigation, social benefits, biodiversity enhancement and minimal impact leisure and therapy engagement.
Although woodland cover in the UK is gradually increasing (13% land cover compared with 12% in 1998, and 38% across the EU), woodland wildlife is decreasing. Existing native woodlands are isolated and only 7% are in good ecological condition. Those in poor ecological condition are characterised by low levels of deadwood, few veteran trees and lack of open habitats within woodland, as well as insufficient diversity in ages of trees and in some cases low tree species diversity.
Over 10 years ago, the Lawton Report – Making Space for Nature – had immediate policy impact, shaping the Natural Environment White Paper and the Biodiversity 2020 Strategy. It is continuing to inform the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan. However, there has been little progress towards establishing the ‘bigger, better, more joined-up’ spaces for nature called for in the report. Many habitat areas are still too small and too isolated to support thriving populations of plants and animals. Indeed many woodlands, like Mann Wood, are islands in seas of intensive farmland or development.
MANAGEMENT PLANS
Until purchase, Mann Wood has been managed on a coppice rotation system, felling two coupes of up to 0.5ha per year. This traditional method was seen as an economical way of managing the woodland, with sales of firewood and wood chip offsetting the cost of extraction. However, this has contributed to a typical two-tier structure dominated by a canopy of dispersed medium-aged standard trees with a denser understory of young even-aged coppice growth. Across the whole site, coupes are at varying ages of post-cut regeneration. Apart from ‘brashings’ (fine branches and leaves), almost all the coppice poles are extracted, with little fallen or logged timber left as dead wood.
Our ecosystem-based approach to woodland management will be based on a predominant regime of non-intervention with areas of “spot management’ of species habitat (such as the wide and varied butterfly and moth species), and evidence-based natural regeneration to enhance, restore and transform the existing habitats.
In tandem with implementing its programmes of nature therapy and education, the Foundation aims to promote Mann Wood as a model for wider replication, demonstrating how non-intervention that allows natural process to manage natural ecosystems can provide a highly effective means of addressing climate change and biodiversity loss, whilst often enabling owners to earn a small income from the ecosystem system services that are thus protected and supported.
This will contribute directly to the integrated approach advocated by the UK’s Biodiversity 2020 strategies and the coherent and resilient ecological network they envisage:
- Identifying ways for habitats to be linked together to create new networks for wildlife
- Engaging people in new ways to increase the number who understand and value nature
- Improving the quality of local habitats so they are better able to support biodiversity
- Creating new areas of natural habitat including wetland
Our overall intention is to maximise climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience, and enrich biodiversity. WIthin the overall regime of non-intervention there will be some initial thinning and removal of alien species alongside ride management. A base-line survey will enable measurement of key criteria to address climate change (eg humidity, temperature, air-flow) and bio-diversity development. This will allow us to report on biodiversity, carbon storage and sequestration, nutrient status and other environmental variables. Although the wood is relatively small, it does present a unique opportunity to study how changes to woodland management, allowing natural processes to predominate, can alleviate the impact of climate change and benefit biodiversity.
This transition from high to minimised levels of management will demonstrate the possible winners and losers in terms of biodiversity and demonstrate changes to woodland structure and other variables that will result. We hope that Mann Wood will provide an alternative, ecologically restorative model for future small scale woodland management that can be adopted in other woodlands in the UK and beyond.
Mann Wood sits in a wider landscape mosaic dominated locally by arable agriculture, human settlement and associated industry and transport infrastructure. Opportunities exist to integrate the wood into local and regional planning for LNRs (with Essex County Council) and national ecological networks (e.g. through Rewilding Britain), and to reconnect to other neighbouring woodlands (e.g. Sandylay, Bushy, Paul and Hazelton Woods) and the River Ter SSSI to the south.
We will use existing ecological connectivity models developed with Rewilding Britain to identify and map these linkages and identify possible opportunities for connections and stepping-stones across the surrounding landscape linking Mann Wood to these other sites in a wider ecological network. We will also seek over time to acquire adjacent land, both to facilitate this connectivity and create a mosaic of wood and grassland, enabling further enrichment of biodiversity.
“To enjoy this woodland over the past years has been a life changing experience for me, and to have been able to help secure its future by passing it on to Wilderness Foundation UK gives me great pleasure, knowing that by so doing many more lives will be changed for the better“
D. Boyle
Engaging and Inspiring People
The need to address the biodiversity crisis is imperative. However, as David Attenborough has said: “No one will protect what they don’t care about, and no one will care about what they have never experienced.” We need to inspire a connection with nature. At Mann Wood we will provide a range of experiences to forge a meaningful lifelong connection with nature and a desire to protect it. Central to this will be our new volunteer strategy.
The application of eco- and wilderness therapy in the one-to-one and group nature-based therapy programmes continues seminal work undertaken by the Foundation and its partner, the University of Essex. Over 15 years’ research focuses on the connection to nature and a wide range of positive psycho-social outcomes such as resilience, hopefulness, employability, self-esteem, confidence and mood.
VOLUNTEERS
Our volunteer strategy will drive our mission forward, uniting diverse groups to create a harmonious synergy that ensures Mann Wood’s longevity as a haven for wildlife and nurtures a strong sense of community, purpose and positive change. We envision a vibrant and engaged community of volunteers working hand in hand with our staff and trustees to safeguard the ecological health and cultural significance of Mann Wood.
We will recruit volunteers for various tasks through targeted outreach, engagement through social media, and collaboration with local schools and businesses, along with volunteers who have been participants in our education, wellbeing and therapy programmes. Our aim is to be inclusive and we will ensure that volunteers from disadvantaged and marginalised backgrounds are supported to enable them to participate. Our woodland management team will lead on volunteer onboarding, training and communication, managing open days, visitor days, and university research teams, alongside practical tasks already under the remit of the existing education and conservation team. Projected recruitment levels are in brackets for year one and two respectively.
● Community Stewards: local residents and nature enthusiasts playing a vital role in the practical daily care of Mann Wood
● Youth Ambassadors: continuing our long history of collaboration with local schools and youth organisations, youth groups will participate in hands-on educational activities, nurturing a deep appreciation for nature and cultivating future leaders who are passionate about environmental stewardship. Our new Youth Board will be key to designing a Citizen Science programme
● Citizen Science: experts passionate about wildlife will form specialised teams of ‘biodiversity guardians’ for baseline surveys, species monitoring and habitat assessment, supported by the Woodland Manager and our partnerships with Anglia Ruskin and Leeds Universities*
● Corporate Allies: we will offer corporate volunteer opportunities that go beyond traditional team-building exercises. Through environmentally focused events, clean-up campaigns, and sustainability workshops, corporate volunteers will actively contribute to Mann Wood’s restoration and showcase their commitment to social responsibility. Groups will pay a flat rate of £500 per day to cover costs (we anticipate welcoming 7-10 corporate volunteer groups in the first summer)
● Eco-Therapy Champions: trained volunteer mentors support qualified therapists to guide participants through mindfulness practices, connecting them with the healing power of Mann Wood and fostering well-being
● Education Advocates: community volunteers and staff skilled in communication will lead guided walks and interactive workshops for youth groups and the general public
● Skilled volunteers: we will continue to draw upon the support of organisations such as Ground Control, Essex Wildlife Trust, Essex and Suffolk Water and Youth Build to carry out targeted conservation actions: habitat restoration, tree care, invasive species management and practical forest management alongside maintaining trails, signage and visitor amenities
● Digital Eco-Champions: we will draw upon the expertise of our tech-savvy volunteers, who will contribute to online outreach, creating engaging content, managing social media accounts, and enhancing the virtual experience of Mann Wood for a wide audience
● Ex-Offender Rehabilitation Advocates: these volunteers will extend a warm welcome to ex-offenders seeking to transform their lives through positive engagement, reinforcing the idea that every individual has the capacity for positive change, making Mann Wood a symbol of rehabilitation and community harmony
● Sustainability Innovators: volunteers with a knack for sustainability and innovation will spearhead projects aimed at reducing our environmental footprint
*The Wilderness Foundation is fortunate to have a range of research partners with growing interest from others in the pipeline. Currently the Foundation partners with the University of Essex (predominantly on social benefits linked to nature immersion and connection), Writtle University College and ARU (now merged but with interest in the ecological, environmental, wildlife research), University of Leeds and the WRi (Wildland Research Institute) and others such as Judge Business School who have helped with marketing and overall Foundation strategy. Graduates of Judge Business School have supported this application through pro bono engagement. Other universities have included East London University, Plymouth University, Olomouc University in Czech Republic). We are also linked with the Wild Europe Foundation, which has backed this initiative and promotes protection and restoration of natural ecosystems, focussing on model areas where natural process management can being multiple ecological, social and economic benefits for local communities and landholders.
Education & Therapy Programmes
Mann Wood gives us a home to grow and expand key areas of our work, with new opportunities for youth engagement and education, research and nature therapy. Our site at Chatham Green is facing increased pressure to be developed for housing and the desire of the landowners to see its future in this context. Having a self-determined space, free from the pressure of development, and a place to introduce a centre of learning and social / environmental healing is a critical step in the goal to maintain a valuable nature asset for the people of Essex. In the first instance we aim to develop an informal hub within the wood, with a shelter, outdoor kitchen and composting toilets. Subject to securing planning permission and developing better access we envisage a more formal, field study-type centre in the future.
IMPACT
Mann Wood will create a legacy for current and future generations to enjoy, experience and find healing in a natural woodland setting nestled in the heart of an expanding urbanised world. Our approach will promote climate change mitigation through avoiding loss of vital carbon storage from timber extraction, while enhancing net sequestration through restoration of degraded areas and avoidance of soil disturbance. It will also enrich the biodiversity linked to the protection and rewilding of trees, wetland, and other interlinked habitats within the wood. The model also offers replication across the UK and more widely in Europe, promoting sustainability and positive growth.
Our ethos is to ensure equity and inclusion, while promoting the benefits of diversity, and ensure equal access to our site, programmes and services. We strive to reach under-represented groups, and engage them within our programming, providing safe spaces, equal opportunities to reconnect, learn and grow and provide nature-centric rehabilitation through our education and therapy workshops, sessions and discourse.
OUR PEOPLE
Our Woodland Manager heads up a team of site facilitators and volunteers to help maintain the site and keep our woodland programmes running smoothly. WFUK’s CEO and Board of Trustees meet every quarter to monitor progress and plan how the Foundation can better fulfil its mission, ensuring that it remains anchored to community and environmental needs, with a dedicated Mann Wood and Environmental Committee that reports to the main Board.
SUPPORT FOR MANN WOOD
This year we were lucky enough to receive funding from the Heritage Lottery to support our new sensitive and progressive management regime and therapy groups for Mann Wood. Our Lottery supported work will enhance biodiversity and support mitigation and adaptation against climate change while providing a woodland resource and wonderful outdoor and community facility for expansion of our Wilderness programmes. Contact us for more details or click here to find out more about our ‘Friends of Mann Wood’.
CONTACT:
Catherine Walker, Woodland Manager – catherine@wildernessfoundation.org.uk or
Clare Martin, Development Manager – clare@wildernessfoundation.org.uk
Telephone: 0300 123 3073
Wilderness Foundation UK – Head Office
2 Whitbreads Business Centre
Whitbreads Farm Lane
Chatham Green
Essex CM3 3FE