Meirionnydd Oakwoods Habitat Management Project

December 2005	Pupils from Ysgol Tan y Grisiau got more than they bargained for when they went up to Coed Cymerau isaf to plant some trees. None other that Santa himself turned up to give them a hand! Click here to go to the Schools page.
November 2005	Meirionnydd oakwoods on tour! November saw the start of our oakwoods display around the libraries of Meirionnydd
November 2005	Ysgol Ganllwyd come out to our community woodland site at Glasdir copper mine to plant some oaks
November 2005	Ysgol Gellilydan spend the morning out in Coed Felinrhyd with Lea Hughes and Rhydian Roberts learning about the oakwoods and writing a poem with local bard Twm Morys.
November 2005	Lichen Training day: Lichen apprentice Joe Hope joined a group of enthusiastic amateur lichenologists on a training day at Glasdir
October 2005	Vale of Ffestiniog Radio: Lea Hughes did her quarterly bulletin for Radio Blaenau
October 2005	Launching of the Meirionnydd Oakwoods SMS text messaging service.
October 2005	Porthmadog Gardening Club: Lea Hughes joined the members of Porthmadog gardening club for an informative chat and a bit of dormouse box building
September 2005	Forest Habitat Network Presentations These presentations were given at the September 2005 steering group meeting, when members of the Habitat Network team were invited along to see whether we could use the Meirionnydd oakwoods project as a pilot for this innovative new management tool. As you will see, Habitat Networks demonstrate different ways of geographically linking important species or habitats in order for them to freely move and spread out. For example our Atlantic oak woodlands are made up of 1000’s of species each one has a different mechanism for surviving, reproducing and spreading out to new sites. At the moment our woodlands are a series of islands or remnants of a former much larger forest that covered the western coastal fringe of Europe. This means that many of our less mobile species from dormice to lichens are basically trapped in their woodland island. Using the Habitat Network tool we can input data about the species we are concerned about. The sort of data we need includes their location, the distance they or their seeds can travel, environments that restrict their movements like towns, rivers, mountains or the sea, their food sources, details on how they reproduce and so on. Once this has been done we can put this information on to a map to show how where species are and where they can currently move or spread to, this is commonly known as their range. We can then look at a landscape scale map which will show our islands and the range of our important species. In the perfect world this would link each of the islands and allow the species to freely move across the whole landscape. In other words they are very likely to meet other individuals and reproduce to give us a healthy population. For big mobile species like deer it is likely that the result would be that they can already freely move and reproduce. And as deer numbers are steadily increasing across Britain we can be confident that this is the case. But for some of our globally rare lichens that rely on slugs and mites to spread their spores the case is not quite so rosy. If the map does show separate populations then we can use the tool to identify stepping stones for us to concentrate our efforts in terms of new woodland creation or restoration. Working in these areas should help us to connect our island populations and secure the future for our important species. Have a look at the reports for more details and some specific local examples. Meirionnydd Presentation (4MB) Habitat Network Wales Presentation (1.7MB)
September 2005	Barmouth walking festival:
September 2005	Atlantic Oakwoods symposium in Oban
September 2005	Powis wood fair: Lynne and Lea spent the week-end at the wood fair and met a great deal of people where all very supportive of the project.
July 2005	National Eisteddfod: Lea Hughes spent the week at the Eisteddfod – so if we met you there keep in touch!
July 2005	The Meirionnydd oakwoods were visited by a group of Canadian students looking at Model forest concepts. Obviously we’re not referring to toy plastic forests here, but the practice of working in partnership to manage large forest areas. For more information look at http://www.modelforest.net/cmfn/en/default.aspx
July 2005	Lea has been working closely with two students from the University of Wales Bangor. Both students are carrying out their thesis on the Meirionnydd oakwoods, one Nicola Lloyd is looking at the hybridisation of oak and Luke O’Connor looking at regeneration rates of ground flora after stem injection
July 2005	Delegates from the FACT/Gap conference (Forum for the application of Conservation Techniques / Grazing Animals Project) visit the Meirionnydd oakwoods
June 2005	Lea has been out again with Welsh biodiversity week talking to the children of Ysgol y Gorlan in Tremadog about all the different animal species that live and depend upon the Meirionnydd Oakwoods.
June 2005	Lea Hughes took the language unit from Ysgol y Gader out for a fun day out exploring Farchynys as part of Welsh Biodiversity week
June 2005	Start on new interpretation plan for the nature trail at Llyn Mair
May 2005	The Meirionnydd Oakwoods Habitat Management Project is officially launched! With guest speakers from the project partners and Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas - for full details see the May edition of the project newsletter
May 2005	Team Oakwood trek up Snowdon for Mari Curie Cancer Care raising a marvellous £327!
April 2005	Lea is invited to be a guest on Radio Bro Blaenau to talk about the project
April 2005	Project team visit the ravine woods project in Derbyshire
March 2005	Ranger Lea Hughes spent the day with MSc Environmental impact assessment and planning students from the University of Manchester looking at role of the Meirionnydd oakwoods in the landscape
March 2005	Busy preparing for the up and coming project launch, the oakwoods team have been busy developing the project leaflets and posters (the leaflets are available to download online)
February 2005	MSc group from the school of forestry from the University of Wales Bangor visiting Hafod Boeth

February 2005	First Oak trees planted at Ysgol Syr Eifion Wyn, Lea and Lynne spend the day with the school promoting environmental education. Field day with Bangor forestry students with Tilhill at Hafod Boeth to look at large scale rhododendron clearance using a walking excavator with a drum flail attachment.
January 2005	Project Staff visit partners work sites. Day to collect and pot 200 young oak trees from Maentwrog resident who read about the project in our press release. Trees are to be used in local community planting schemes. Lea made contact with Bangor University to arrange field visits and encourage research projects in the Oak woodlands.

December 2006	The Snowdonia Society come out on a walk around the oakwoods to build up an appetite for their annual Christmas dinner.
November 2006	New jobs for volunteers! We are pleased to announce that another one of our volunteers has gained an apprenticeship with a local forestry contractor after coming out and taking part in our training courses!
October 2006	Another training course! The day was spent building traditional oak and hazel hurdles
October 2006	The oakwoods partnership has spent £1.1million so far!
October 2006	Fun was had for Halloween at the oakwood as we all took part in a beesom making course.
October 2006	Meirionnydd oakwoods organised a three day charcoal making course. Those who took part learnt step by step how to turn waste timber into a valuable product, and one delegate is actually going to set up his own charcoal making business!
October 2006	The children from Corris school enjoyed a two day art project looking at the oakwoods habitat and the local dormouse colony.
September 2006	Meirionnydd oakwoods and the RSPB held a bird education day at the RSPB observatory in Penmaenpool.
August 2006	Progress Report: to date we have 48 woodland sites, equal to 1400 hectares under sustainable management and we’ve spent £850,000
August 2006	The Welsh National Eisteddfod in Swansea gave the project an opportunity to showcase what had been achieved over the last 12 months
July 2006	Royal Welsh Show: The Project team went out to meet their public.
June 2006	The project team took the oakwoods display down to the Wood at Berkeley castle show organised by the Welsh Timber Forum. Showcasing the best of Welsh timber and wood products.
June 2006	The project took part in the Welsh Biodiversity fair held at Plas Tan y Bwlch. The events took place over 4 days with a mixture of public and school events –a brilliant time was had by all, lets look forward to next year
June 2006	The oakwoods team took the display out to the woodland festival in Llandudno. Yet again we were overwhelmed by the response we got from you all and the amount of people who signed up to the text club –thank you all!
May 2006	Wonderful welsh woodlands A brilliant time was had by all as we held a two day woodland fun day at Tan y Bwlch station.
May 2006	Yet more wolf business! The children from year 5 in Ysgol Maenofferen took part in a project looking at the history of the oakwoods and the wolf. (link to schools pages)
April 2006	At last out wolf arrived! The 7ft sculpture was installed at its new home out in the oakwoods by Coed y Bleiddiau station. The wolf did however arrive in style! He was loaded onto his own special steam train at Porthmadog and is proving to be a bit of a crowd attraction on the Ffestiniog railway.
April 2006	A bryophyte identification training day was held in the oakwoods, and proved to be a great success. If you are interested in taking part in a similar training day join our text club or keep an eye out on our events page on the website
April 2006	Jobs by text? Following the success of the drystone walling day we got another piece of good news. One of the participants in the training day, a member of our text messaging group has secured a job with one of our local contractors! (link to press release)
April 2006	The community woodland at Glasdir was host to a dry stone walling training day, the day was a great success with the Meirionnydd oakwoods text messaging system proving to be a great aid in getting in contact with interested volunteers to take part in the training day.
March 2006	The Meirionnydd oakwoods display arrived at Bala library for a month. If you’re interested in having the Meirionnydd oakwoods display at your venue, please get in contact with us (e-mail link)
March 2006	Year 7 from Ysgol y Gader in Dolgellau spent the day at Glasdir community woodland doing planting and rhody bashing (link to schools page and more info on planting)
March 2006	To mark the 10 year anniversary of the Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAP) being implemented in Snowdonia the National Park held a day looking at what changes and successes had happened. Ranger Lea Hughes was invited as a guest speaker outlining all the positive outcomes of public involvement in conservation projects.
March 2006	1st year forestry students from Llysfasi collage spent the day out in the oakwoods learning about different management techniques in restoring the oakwoods and controlling rhododendron.
February 2006	Children at the Urdd camp in Glanllyn spent the week learning about their surrounding environment and why the oakwoods in Meirionnydd are so important as part of their John Muir award.
January 2006	Pupils from Ysgol Maes Garmon in Wexham visited Glan-llyn Urdd camp to take part in an environmental awareness course and gain their John Muir award. The Meirionnydd oakwoods project got involved with the Glan-llyn team and had a great time planting trees and helping the children learn about oakwoods

December 2007	The Mulled Wine and Mince Pie Walk held on the 12th December was a great success with the weather treating us well! Our guest speakers included Ross Willis of the RSPB, Rhys Gwynn of the SNPA and Aled Thomas the Local Area Manager with Forestry Commission. You may have been lucky enough to hear what was discussed on the day then when a recording was broadcast on Roy Noble's "Afternoon Show" on BBC Radio Wales on the 19th December.
December 2007	On the 7th December Nicky and Ffion held their last Christmas Event in Corwen. This one was attended by pupils from schools in Cynwyd, Ysbyty Ifan, Dinmael and Llangwm.
December 2007	On the 6th December, Rhodri Wigley of project partner the National Trust kindly demonstrated the ancient craft of oak splitting to a group of interested Oakwoods supporters. The group were then able to have a go themselves and the day produced some fine specimens of oak fencing posts for Rhodri to use on site at Dolmelynllyn.
December 2007	Wednesday, the 5th December saw students from Llysfasi College visit Coed Lletywalter to help John Owen of Saith Derwen fill the charcoal kiln with wood. They learnt about the placement of the wood to ensure a successful burn. The students returned on Monday, the 10th December to empty the kiln. They also helped with the grading and bagging of the charcoal. Everyone went home with a bag of charcoal in readiness for next summer's barbeques! To buy locally produced Meirionnydd Oakwoods charcoal then contact saithderwen@btinternet.com
December 2007	Nicky and Ffion were back in Bod Petrual on the 4th December. This time they were visited by pupils from Ysgol Cyffylliog and Ysgol Maes Hyfryd.
December 2007	The 3rd December saw Nicky help Ffion Hughes, another Forestry Commission Education Ranger, with Christmas Event for Ysgol Clocaenog and St Asaph V.P. Infants School at Bod Petrual. With a little help from Sara the squirrel the children managed to follow the clues to find Father Christmas!
November 2007	The world of bryophytes was investigated on the 28th November! Dr Martha Newton very kindly came out to Ganllwyd Village Hall to present a slide show on mosses and liverworts. With our newly gained knowledge all 12 of us ventured out into the heavy rain to have a look what species were on offer in the local woods!
November 2007	Nicky has been busy helping with Christmas Event for local schools held by Lyn Williams the Forestry Commission’s Education Ranger. On the 27th of November pupils from Ysgol Bro Hedd Wyn, Ysgol Tŷ Meirion and Ysgol Tŷ Arran visited Coed y Brenin to see Christmas trees being cut down and then had a chat with Father Christmas!
November 2007	Another popular dry stone walling course was held over the 21st and 22nd November. Our thanks again to Rhodri (National Trust) for providing the expertise and to Rhydian (Woodland Trust) for providing the location. A section of wall damaged by a windblown tree was rebuilt at Coed Felinrhyd by the eager participants - even the rain didn't dampen their enthusiasm! Check out the Gallery for the before and after shots to see what a brilliant job was done.
November 2007	The 20th November saw Nicky out and about again planting some seeds sticks, acorns and hazel nuts, but this time with Ysgol Carmel in Caernarfon. Another great day was had with the children who enjoyed learning about trees and the environment.
November 2007	Nicky and Project Officer Rhydian Roberts went out to Ysgol Gynradd Penybryn in Tywyn to help the children plant some seed sticks, acorns and hazel nuts on the 19th November. Rhydian will be collecting the saplings to plant in Coed Ysgubor Wen, a new woodland recently bought by the Woodland Trust in the Dysynni Valley.
November 2007	We were overwhelmed with lots of enthusiastic lichen learners on the 14th November! Nicky and Lichenologist Stephen Chambers had a group of 13 intrepid explorers at Tyn y Groes, Ganllwyd who were not put off by the rain. It was a chance for the participants to get up close and personal with the lichens through using special magnifying hand lenses. Our thanks goes to Stephen for sharing his knowledge with us.
November 2007	On the 10th and 11th of November Nicky spent the weekend with Snowdonia National Park Authority helping Biodiversity Co-Ordinator, Kate Williamson and some eager volunteers record mammal signs in the Meirionnydd area for the Mammal Atlas Project. Over 30 people from all over Great Britain joined in the search for evidence of mammals in the area and 5 sites were surveyed on the Saturday and 9 on the Sunday. 14 different mammal species were recorded.
November 2007	Many thanks to Jack Grasse who came out and helped Nicky teach a class from Ysgol Brithdir at about dormice and their habitat on the 9th November at Pantperthog. The children learnt all about this shy creature and helped with planting some hazel trees which are a favourite of dormice!
October 2007	The 29th October meant it was time for the Autumn Fun Day that the Forestry Commission was running at Coed y Brenin. Meirionnydd Oakwoods went along to help out and lots of people visited.
October 2007	Nicky has been busy with another local school, Ysgol y Clogau, but this time making "baby" besom brooms with Rod and Helen Waterfield on the 26th October. The children made their own willow wands and crowns as well and we hope they had lots of fun with these!
October 2007	A lot of hard work was involved on the Butterfly Conservation day on the 24th October but the weather was glorious and everyone enjoyed themselves. Many thanks to everyone that came out and helped. Llysfasi College students were "rhody bashing" whilst Snowdonia Society Volunteers and Meirionnydd Oakwoods Volunteers were eradicating gorse bushes!
October 2007	Nicky and Lyn Williams, our local Education Officer, went out with 3 schools from Bala to do some acorn collecting out in the woods at Coed y Brenin on the 19th October. The schools learnt all about how squirrels hide the acorns and sometimes forget where they have hidden them! Lots of fun was had and an array of autumn coloured crowns were made!
October 2007	Some eagle eyed viewers may have spotted Andy and Nicky working away in the background on "Your Wales Today" on BBC2W on the 11th October? Huw Jenkins, an avid supporter of our Project, presented a piece about the recent dry stone walling course we ran.
October 2007	Meirionnydd Oakwoods organised a second Fungi Foray on the 10th of October at Coed Ganllwyd, Dolgellau. Nigel Brown, Curator of Treborth Botanic Gardens once again led the way and we were joined by members of the public and twelve students from Kew Gardens in London. Another successful day was had by all and this time over 60 different fungi were found! A list of species will soon follow …
October 2007	Did you hear Nicky and her predecessor Lea talking to Iolo Williams on his radio programme "Byd Iolo" on the 9th October on Radio Cymru? Temperate rainforests, Meirionnydd Oakwoods, Conservation days and a "visit" to the Amazon were all packed in!
September 2007	Nicky Maysmor went to the GB Forest Education Initiative, National Networking Day which was held at Royal International Pavilion, Llangollen on the 26th September. It was a chance for Nicky to meet everyone involved in woodland education and to share ideas. Workshops such as Woods for Turning and Woods for Conservation took place throughout the day, which gave Nicky ideas for future education days - so watch out!
September 2007	On the 27th of September at Coed Felinrhyd, Maentwrog we had our first Fungi Foray. The event was led by Nigel Brown, Curator of Treborth Botanic Gardens. Nigel was joined by eighteen MSc Ecology students from Bangor University who enjoyed a fantastic foray into the woods where we found over 50 different fungi! A list of species will soon follow …
September 2007	The weather was unusually kind to us on the 5th & 6th September for our dry stone walling course! It was good to know that the wall we built at the Woodland Trust's site at Coed Felinrhyd on the first day was going to be used by the Countryside Council for Wales to enclose sheep for grazing on site to increase the lichen growth in that area. Especially due to the fact that there are rare lichens in this area.
August 2007	Welcome to our new staff! Andy Wills will be taking over the Manager's role and Nicola Maysmor takes the reins as the new Ranger. Both Andy and Nicky will start working on the Project on the 3rd September. Pictures to follow … keep a look out for our next Newsletter!
June 2007	Lea and Tim start their new jobs and say goodbye to the Meirionnydd Oakwoods!
May 2007	Big thanks to Chris Hall our otter man! Another successful conservation day which resulted in a new home for our furry friends! The participants also learnt how to spot otter tracks and will be keeping an eagle eye out for these when they're out and about … BBC Radio Otter programme
March 2007	Willow weaving course. Our volunteers spent the day collecting and weaving their own willow.
February 2007	Meirionnydd Oakwoods Dormouse education and coppice craft day –fun was had by all –even though the weather was a bit damp to say the least!
January 2007	The new interpretation boards and benches are put in place –go out and have a look at our new trails!

May 2008	The end of April saw the first day of another charcoal making course with the second day being held on the 1st May. A small group of eager participants came out for a final demonstration on how to make this ancient produce. We have now given away all our free bags of charcoal! If you would like to buy some of this local charcoal then please contact John Owen of Saith Derwen on saithderwen@btinternet.com
April 2008	This was a busy week for the Project as another dry stone walling course was held on the 24th and 25th April. Yet another section of rebuilt wall has been added to the Woodland Trust's site at Coed Cymerau Isaf and is looking very impressive indeed.
April 2008	Not to be outdone, Nicky was out again on the 23rd April for the Fern and Birdsong Guided Walk. The walk was led by Nigel Brown from Bangor University and this was a chance for participants to learn about the ferns we pas every day on our forest walk and learn to recognise which birds we're listening to. Bangor University students and 15 project supporters made the most of the sunny Spring weather.
April 2008	Project Manager, Andy was out and about again on the 17th April. This time Andy was showing a group from the Woodland Strategy Advisory Panel around our popular Coed y Garth woodland. It was a chance for the group to see the recent restoration work at the Victorian ponds. Admire the view on the bench pictured - it's on the way to the ponds where you can have a nice picnic!
April 2008	On the 10th April our Project Ranger, Nicky, was busy planting some more hazel trees at our Community Woodland site at Glasdir. School children from Ysgol Llanelltyd and Ysgol Llanfachreth came out to help. Lets see if we can encourage some red squirrels to move in!
April 2008	The 9th of April saw another oak splitting day with Rhodri Wigley of the National Trust. This time the oak that was split will be used on site at Dolmelynllyn, Ganllwyd to create new steps on one of the pathways.
March 2008	At the end of March another dry stone walling course was held at the Woodland Trust's Coed Cymerau Isaf in Blaenau Ffestiniog. The group continued the good work that was started by the last group here and a further section of wall was rebuilt. Why not pop out and have a look at all the hard work?
March 2008	On the 11th March, Andy Wills the Project Manager met up with members of the Habitat Networking Group for a follow up visit. You may recall from the progress pages back in September 2005 that the Project was hoping to be of some help with the work the Habitat Networking Group were involved in. This included looking at the fragmented areas of woodland to identify stepping stones for us to concentrate our efforts in terms of new woodland creation or restoration. Working in these areas would help us to connect our island populations and secure the future for our important native species.
March 2008	Friday the 7th March saw the project attending a Woodland Networking day at the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Machynlleth. This was an opportunity for various woodland based groups and organisations to get together with their woodland neighbours and discuss issues. The day ended with a guided tour around CAT to see the wonderful work that is being done.
February 2008	The 25th and 28th February saw a another popular 2 day charcoal making course with John Owen of Saith Derwen. This time supporters of the project came out to work for their free bag of charcoal! Another successful burn was had with some good quality charcoal being produced.
January 2008	It was a busy week for the project this week as Friday, the 25th January saw us learning hot to identify the woodland mammals on our "Mammal Tracks & Signs Day". Rob Strachan a Mammal Consultant gave a short presentation at the Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre before we headed off into the woods! Firstly we visited a deer hide and the Forestry Commission's Conservation Ranger, Iori Jones was on hand to tell us all about the local deer population. We then made our way back to the Visitor Centre with our eyes peeled for tracks to identify along the way!
January 2008	The 23rd and 24th January saw another dry stone wall course. This course was again held on Woodland Trust but this time in Coed Felinrhyd Isaf at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Rhodri Wigley of the National Trust was our expert. The participants had to take down a length of damaged wall and rebuild. Our Gallery has the before and after shots!
January 2008	The 18th January saw another oak pole making day specifically for the Snowdonia Society. Rhodri Wigley of the National Trust once again demonstrated this ancient skill. Perhaps you saw the article in the Cambrian News?
January 2008	On the 16th January the project partners and their guests visited Chirk Castle for a stroll around the grounds to see the magnificent veteran trees. Carl Green of the National Trust kindly led us around the property and discussed the management of these ancient trees. Katherine Owen a Veteran Tree Verifier with the Woodland Trust joined us to tell us what a Verifier is looking for. It was an interesting day and I can recommend you visit Chirk Castle - what a beautiful property! Check out the Gallery for photos of the veterans!

December 2004	Project Manager (Tim Gordon-Roberts) started work, first press release about acorn collection is picked up by several local papers. Project Logo chosen.
November 2004	First Woodland Grant Schemes accepted by the Forestry Commission to support the EU funds. 30,000 Acorns collected to grown on and planted on project sites boosting the local gene pool.
October 2004	Project Ranger (Lea Hughes) and Administrator (Lynne Morris) started work for the project.
September 2004	Survey work and first contracts completed.
July 2004	Partners prepared their Woodland Grant Schemes.
June 2004	Detailed Survey work begun, Interim Project Manager appointed to let first few contracts for rhododendron control at Coed y Garth (Mawddach Estuary).
March 2004	Meirionnydd Oakwoods Habitat Management Project, European Agriculture Guarantee and Guidance Fund, Objective 1 Bid accepted.

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