Green woodland floor with bluebells and tall skinny trees

Rusland Woodland consultation

Home Protect Nature Nature projects Rusland Woodland consultation

Invitation for feedback

We are inviting the community, partners and visitors to review and feedback on our draft 10 year woodland management plan for the woodland property that we own in the Rusland Valley. The plan details how we will care for the woodlands over the next decade.

Many of these woodlands are ancient, meaning they have been continuously wooded and managed for at least 400 years. They also form part of the UK’s rare temperate rainforest habitat, making them particularly important for biodiversity. As well as their ecological value, the woods are well used and valued by both local people and visitors, with an extensive network of trails providing access and opportunities to experience these landscapes.

To protect and enhance these habitats, the plan outlines a programme of ongoing management to improve woodland condition. This includes measures such as regular thinning to diversify and open up the canopy, alongside actions to address challenges including tree pests and diseases, deer and squirrel impacts, and the pressures of a changing climate.

In line with the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS), we are seeking local insight and community feedback before submitting the final plan to the Forestry Commission. This is an early-stage community consultation hosted by the Lake District National Park Authority. Once this window closes, we will update the draft and submit it to the Forestry Commission. It will then be hosted on the Forestry Commission’s Public Register for a final 21-day statutory review before ultimate approval.

Objectives

The Rusland Woodland objectives include environmental, economic and social considerations.

1.

Improve the ecological condition of the woodlands.

2.

Support sustainable timber that generates income to reinvest in woodland management, supports local contractors and craftspeople, and provides wood products internally for LDNPA projects.

3.

Protect and enhance the Rusland Valley’s internationally rare temperate rainforest habitat.

4.

Safeguard ancient woodland and veteran trees as irreplaceable assets.

5.

Reduce the impacts of livestock, deer and grey squirrel populations through improved, impact-driven and collaborative management.

6.

Build woodland resilience to climate change, associated climatic stressors, and pests and disease through adaptive management.

7.

Conserve features of cultural and industrial heritage and uphold attributes that define the Lake District’s World Heritage Site status.

8.

Deliver benefits for people alongside nature recovery by supporting safe access, quiet enjoyment and opportunities for recreation, learning and community engagement.

9.

Monitor woodland condition and management outcomes, adapting management practices as required to achieve long term objectives.

Management actions

Public access is an important part of these woodlands, and we are committed to protecting it. All planned operations have been designed to be sensitive and carefully managed, balancing the need for nature recovery with ensuring people can continue to enjoy and connect with these landscapes.

Some of the larger-scale operations proposed include the removal of self-seeded Scots pine and birch from the lowland raised mire at Rusland Moss SSSI, where their presence is contributing to a decline in condition (this work will require Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) consent from the Forestry Commission). The plan also includes ongoing PAWS (Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites) restoration at Haverthwaite Heights, involving the gradual removal of non-native conifers and their replacement with native broadleaf species.

Examples within the plan

Woodland and tree management

Creation of woodland openings and application of selective thinning, respacing, coppicing and irregular ride and path edge management to enhance structural diversity and light variation
Halo thinning around selected future and near‑veteran trees to improve crown development, longevity and continuity of veteran habitat
Encourage understorey development through enrichment planting and targeted protection of natural regeneration
Phased felling of larch at High Dam
Access track created at Haverthwaite Heights to support sensitive timber extraction
Felling for tree safety where required alongside paths, roads, public areas

Species management

Ongoing control of invasive non‑native species (e.g. Himalayan balsam, rhododendron ponticum, cherry laurel, skunk cabbage) where present
Gradual removal of non‑native conifers and areas of dense, cast shading beech to restore native woodland structure and species composition
Removal of self-seeded Scots Pine and Birch at Rusland Moss National Nature Reserve as part of lowland raised mire restoration
Selective management of dominant coarse vegetation (including holly, bracken and bramble) where it suppresses
Deer and grey squirrel management to be continued
Manage encroachment of vegetation on heritage features and Scheduled Monuments

Adaptation

Creation of a wildfire preparedness plan

Consultation resources

Rusland Woodland Management Plan 2026

PDF

Rusland Woodland Management Plan Annex 1 Maps

PDF

Consultation feedback form

Microsoft Form