New ‘Open Woods & Workshops’ initiative brings action for Wood Culture

Open Woods & Workshops, launched this June by charity Woodland Heritage, brought over 600 visitors to workshops, sawmills and managed woodlands around the UK. 

Planting trees is widely supported. But the fact the UK is the second largest net importer of forest products in the world¹, at the same time as significant areas of the UK’s woodlands lie unmanaged, shows that broader action is urgent. The importance of growing trees – not just planting them – and of using homegrown timber to support the management of woodlands should be a vital part of our response to climate change.

Happily, 96% of visitors surveyed planned to take actions in their woodlands, workshops and homes following their visit to an Open Woods & Workshops event. Actions pledged included beginning to manage a woodland, or changing a woodland’s management to improve the timber it produces as well as growing more trees, undertaking to use more homegrown timber, and encouraging friends, family and colleagues to learn more about growing trees and using wood.

Open Woods & Workshops attendees also recorded that the events made a significant positive impact on their wellbeing and even just being a part of growing trees and using wood made just under 80% of people feel more optimistic about the future.

One attendee shared: “These initiatives give me hope for my grandchildren’s future. I feel that they should be extended to schools to teach the next generation.”

Another visitor reflected: “What a gift to walk in a wood that has been cared for and come closer to the nature of trees and plants through the expert knowledge of our guide. Our woods deserve our attention and respect.”

Amongst the visitors was Dr Ellie Chowns MP, Green Party MP for North Herefordshire, who visited Whitney Sawmill’s Open Day in her constituency. Ellie said: Ellie said: “I was delighted to visit Whitney Sawmill’s Open Day and see first‑hand the incredible work being done to manage our local woodlands sustainably.

“Homegrown timber is vital not only in mitigating climate change but also in supporting biodiversity, local jobs, and community wellbeing, and I sincerely hope events like Open Woods & Workshops inspire more people across North Herefordshire and the rest of the UK to get involved in looking after our trees, growing our timber resource, and passing on this knowledge to the next generation.”

The initiative is kindly supported by Savills, whose Director Mark Townsend, Head of Woodland Management and Arboriculture, added: “Working with landowners to manage their woods forms a key part of what we do as woodland consultants and as a nation, we do need to be better at managing our forests. A crucial part of this is what happens outside of the woodland and the work Woodland Heritage does to promote and connect the whole supply chain is really amazing. My visit to the Duchy of Cornwall woods in the morning, followed by a tour of Whitney Sawmill is the perfect demonstration of how we need a more joined up approach”.

Hosts, many not usually open to the public, included Angus Ross, Whitney Sawmills, The Duchy of Cornwall, Great Park, Alder and Sowdens Woods, Broomhill Woods, To The Root, Goodwood Estate, Witherslack Woodworks, Mowat & Co, James Wood, Williams & Cleal, Albion Timber, Treske, Gaze Burvill, The Architectural Association, North Eggardon Farm and John Makepeace Furniture.

Woodland Heritage’s Chief Executive John Orchard summarised: “Thank you to Open Woods & Workshop’s hosts, visitors and supporters for championing trees and timber! Please get in touch to visit or open a woodland or workshop in June 2026.

‘’It’s wonderful to be able to show people what a well-managed woodland looks like, and what amazing spaces they are for biodiversity, climate as well as beautiful timber. The value of showing rather than telling is enormous, and that is the opportunity that Open Woods & Workshops brings.

“The road ahead for our woodlands is far from certain, but it’s great to see that getting involved with Open Woods & Workshops can inspire people to take action, and to feel more hopeful about the future.”