HABITAT MANAGEMENT

Quercus offers a complete habitat management service to help preserve and create habitats rich in wildlife

We work with a diverse range of customer, for all habitat sizes and types (woodlands, grassland, heathland, wetland and ponds). We are experienced with working in environmentally sensitive areas, using contractors that can be trusted to carry out work sensitively to the needs of the customer and the natural environment.

Whether we are clearing an area, or developing an area specially for a specific species (e.g. dormouse), Quercus can oversee the whole project, from survey to completion. To ensure all work meets legislative guidance, our ecological personnel are bound by the code of professional conduct of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM), and our arboricultural personnel are bound by the arboricultural I Industry Code of Practice (ICoP). All personnel are fully qualified and insured in relation to the operations and surveys undertaken.

Our past experience includes previous contracts with private landowners, The National Trust, RSPB, Natural England (English Nature) and The Dartmoor National Park Authority.

Quercus will require some initial communication with the customer to help to formulate a strategy, assisting landowners with their project. Starting from Stage 1, the customer can choose how many stages they will require. The stages are:

  1. Discussion with landowner what the objectives for the habitat are. This may be recreational, wildlife conservation, firewood production, coppicing or financial gains.
  2. Assess habitat potential (Ecological assessment / walkover survey - explained below).
  3. Undertake surveys to determine what wildlife already resides within the habitat and the local environment (Phase 1 survey - explained below).
  4. Create a Management Plan.
  5. Implement the Management Plan.
  6. Continuous monitoring of habitat.

SURVEYS EXPLAINED

Ecological Assessment (Walkover Survey) – Provides an initial understanding of what may be present on site, what ecological receptors may be harmed by the project proposals and wildlife potential of the site.

Ecological Appraisal (Phase 1 Survey) – Provides a standard record of micro-habitats and ecological receptors on a site. It is a key assessment required for the majority of planning applications and often helps to determine the need for any specific protected species surveys. The process is also a way of mapping an area, visually demonstrating the various habitats present on a site.

Extended Phase 1 Survey – This survey is based upon the phase 1 habitat survey, but incorporates more details about the habitats present on site and identifying areas that may support legally protected species.

A desk study is usually undertaken as part of the phase 1 process. This also includes a biological records data (BRD) obtained from the local records centre. The results from this identify protected or important plant and animal species within the local area of the site being surveyed.

Previous habitat management work experience includes:

● Habitat management – Whether it’s preserving, clearing or creating habitats,
   we ensure work is carried out within legislative guidelines to meet the needs of clients and wildlife.

● Tree and vegetation management – Tree felling and vegetation clearance, coppicing,
   arboricultural tree surveys to BS:5837 and woodland management plans.

● Wildlife fencing – Supply and installation of specialist wildlife exclusion fencing for newts,
   reptiles, badgers, otters, deer and beavers.

● Agricultural fencing – Supply and installation of a range of fencing solutions
    including post and rail, hedge layering and stock fencing.

● Invasive species control – Production and implementation of remediation strategies and
   control measures for a wide variety of invasive plant species such as Japanese Knotweed,
   Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed, Laurel, Himalayan Knotweed and Rhododendron.

● Environmental landscaping and reinstatement – Translocate and restore specialist
   habitats to meet site specific biodiversity targets set by local authority planning conditions.

● Habitat surveys (ecological assessments and appraisals)
● Traditional hedge laying
● Riverbank erosion control (gabions)
● Vegetation translocation work
● Habitat creation and regeneration
● Wildlife enhancement / biodiversity
● Riparian habitat management
● Vegetation and tree clearance
● Planting woodlands
● Planting wildlife hedgerows
● Cornish hedging / dry stone walling / boundary maintenance
● Pathways and steps
● Interpretation
● Orchard creation and management (pruning and agroforestry)

Woodlands can be a haven for biodiversity whilst having a high amenity and leisure value. They also potentially have a productive element to them, such as timber extraction, coppicing firewood or crop production (hazel, willow, fruit and nuts).

Quercus manage woodlands in a way that enhances the wildlife potential, whilst ensuring the long-term integrity of the habitat as a whole. Quercus has the knowledge and expertise necessary to survey all habitats and woodlands, to develop management strategies focused on wildlife enhancement, as well as the use for leisure and amenity purposes.
Quercus is committed to providing the highest quality of all ecological and arboricultural works. All ecological personnel are bound by the code of professional conduct of the CharteredInstitute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).

All arboricultural personnel are bound by the arboricultural Industry Code of Practice ( ICoP ). All personnel are fully qualified and insured in relation to the operations and surveys undertaken.

CONTACT QUERCUS

Give us a call or email to discuss your project and if we can help with your wildlife conservation project throughout Cornwall, Devon and the South West we would love to hear from you.

Mob: 07754 131981
Email: hello@quercusconsultancy.co.uk

The Lizard, Helston, Cornwall, UK
We also specialise in garden design, landscaping
and Cornish hedging in throughout Cornwall.