Restoring Hardknott Forest  

Welcome


We work with the Forestry Commission and volunteers to restore Hardknott Forest. Regular volunteer days are the second Sunday and fourth Tuesday of each month. We also organise 3-4 volunteer weekeds each year. Please contact John Hodgson (j.h.hodgson[at]leeds.ac.uk) for more details.

Since 2003, over 700 volunteers have given their time to help restore Hardknott Forest. They have contributed over 1000 days of practical conservation work, taking part in clearing non-native conifers, planting native tree species, dry stone walling, marking public rights of way, building boardwalks and removing old deer fences.

This page gives some information on past and planned weekends. Hi-resolution versions of the photos are available on request.

Future weekends

April 26-28 2018

Past weekends

October 2018 Clearing non-native spruce, planting oak John Muir Trust
July 2018 Clearing non-native spruce, planting oak Millom School
April 2018 Clearing non-native spruce, planting oak John Muir Trust
February 2018 Clearing non-native spruce, planting oak John Muir Trust
October 2017 Clearing non-native spruce, planting oak John Muir Trust
July 2017 Clearing non-native spruce, planting oak Millom School
March 2017 Clearing non-native spruce Leeds University Union Conservation Volunteers
March 2017 Clearing non-native spruce, planting birch John Muir Trust
October 2016 Clearing non-native spruce John Muir Trust
March 2016 Clearing non-native spruce, planting birch and oak John Muir Trust, Leeds University Conservation Volunteers
October 2015 Clearing non-native spruce John Muir Trust
March 2015 Clearing non-native spruce John Muir Trust
November 2014 Clearing non-native spruce Scottish Rural University College
October 2014 Clearing non-native spruce John Muir Trust
March 2014 Tree planting, clearing non-native spruce University of Leeds
November 2013 Clearing non-native spruce Scottish Rural University College
November 2012 Clearing non-native spruce, fence removal, tree aftercare Leeds City College and Scottish Rural University College
November 2011 Clearing non-native spruce, fence removal, restoring an upland bog Scottish Agricultural College
May 2011 Clearing non-native spruce Various
March 2011 Erecting permanent photo marker posts Various
December 2010 Fence removal Leeds City College
March 2010 Planted 400 hardwoods, clearing non-native spruce. Park Lane College
November 2009 Clearing non-native spruce. Park Lane College
April 2009 Planting oak saplings, clearing non-native spruce. Park Lane College
November 2008 Clearing non-native spruce. Park Lane College
April 2008 Clearing non-native spruce. University of Leeds
February 2008 Boardwalks and removing non-native spruce Park Lane College
November 2007 Removing old deer fences and deer guards Park Lane College
March 2007 Interpretative signs, waymarking, planting juniper. University of Leeds
December 2006 Reseeding heather, clearing non-native spruce. University of Leeds
February 2005 Clearing non-native spruce, Planting native broadleaves. University of Leeds
March 2004 Clearing non-native spruce, restoring dry stone walls. University of Leeds
December 2003 Clearing non-native spruce. University of Leeds