Strengthening the Boundaries: New Fencing Work at Howes Wood
There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing practical conservation work take shape and these latest photos from Howes Wood capture exactly that.
As you can see, we’ve now started fencing, an important next step in protecting and managing this woodland for wildlife and people alike. The posts you can see being installed have been cut from our own Western red cedar, making this a wonderfully sustainable use of timber grown and managed right here on site.
This work is being carried out by Rod and Steve, whose steady hands, experience and good humour are a familiar and very welcome sight in the woods. From positioning posts to handling machinery and tackling the heavy lifting, their work is helping to create clear boundaries, safer access routes and a more resilient woodland for the future.
Why fencing matters
Fencing might not sound glamorous, but it plays a crucial role in woodland management. It helps us:
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Protect sensitive areas while regeneration takes place
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Guide access safely along tracks and paths
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Reduce damage to young trees and woodland edges
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Support long-term habitat improvement
By using Western red cedar, which is naturally durable and resistant to both rot and insects these posts will stand the test of time with minimal intervention, exactly the kind of low-impact, long-lasting solution we aim for.
Progress you can see
The photographs show the work at different stages from posts being driven in and aligned, to timber being moved, stacked and repurposed. Each task is part of a bigger picture: creating a woodland that is healthier, safer and better connected, supporting everything from fungi and insects to birds and, of course, our precious red squirrels.
Every practical job like this helps lay the groundwork for successful conservation long into the future.
Help protect red squirrels on the roads too 🐿️🚗
While work continues in the woods, there’s also a simple way supporters can help protect red squirrels beyond woodland boundaries.
We currently have a new batch of red squirrel road signs available, helping to raise awareness in areas where squirrels cross roads and encouraging drivers to slow down. These signs not only help protect wildlife, they also directly support the conservation work you see here.
💚 By purchasing a red squirrel road sign, you’re helping fund vital habitat work like this fencing project.
👉 Visit our website to find out more and order yours while stocks last.
CLICK HERE FOR RED SQUIRREL SIGNS
Finally, thank you, as always, to our volunteers, supporters and everyone who helps make this work possible whether in the woods, on the roads, or behind the scenes.