Hem Heath Woods, a popular woodland near Barlaston in Stoke-on-Trent, has undergone a year-long transformation aimed at boosting local wildlife and improving visitor access. The project, led by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, was funded by a £126,988 grant from the Veolia Environmental Trust.
Pathways and visitor facilities upgraded
Visitors can now enjoy 2,500 metres of newly surfaced pathways designed to prevent muddy winter walks. Ten new benches have been installed throughout the woods, along with information boards and three colour-coded walking routes to help people navigate the site.
Dedicated volunteers have also harvested and spread native bluebell seeds across the woodland to encourage the flowers to expand. These improvements aim to make the woods more accessible and enjoyable for all visitors, particularly during the wetter months.
Tree planting to combat ash dieback
Nature has received a significant boost with the planting of 2,100 young trees, including oak, hazel, and wild cherry. The new saplings will fill gaps left by ash dieback disease, which has caused the loss of many trees in the area, and will create a healthier, more diverse woodland structure.
Reserves officer Sheryl Hayes, who led the project, said: “Hem Heath Woods offers a green oasis in an urban area and is loved by many. Some locals have walked here for their whole lives and have a real affinity with it. We want it to provide the same joy for others over the next 20 plus years, which makes projects like this vital.
“Sadly, we lost a lot of trees here due to ash dieback disease. The new trees will fill in some of the gaps left but we’ve also left some space for natural regeneration. In some areas more light reaching the woodland floor is helpful so that other plants get the chance to grow. This is good for our insect populations, which in turn is good for the birdlife here – we've already seen positive signs of increased bird activity and nesting.”
Community and wildlife benefits
The funding has also enabled the trust to host free family events in the woods during school holidays. In addition, two new ponds have been created and six others improved in nearby areas to support great crested newts.
Andrew Brown, executive director at Veolia Environmental Trust, added: "Everyone at Veolia Environmental Trust is incredibly proud to have helped support the restoration of Hem Heath Woods. The addition of new accessible pathways as well as widespread bluebell and tree planting, means the woodland can continue to be both a thriving ecosystem and an escape for locals to enjoy for years to come.
"We look forward to seeing how these impactful investments in Hem Heath Woods help preserve the area's environmental security and encourage biodiversity for residents to enjoy."
Further upgrades planned
Further improvements are planned after Stoke-on-Trent City Council awarded £18,856 of Pride of Place funding to tarmac the car park. Work on the car park is expected to take place in autumn to make winter visits much smoother for visitors.
