
Greno Woods: Wild Work Day
Heathland management: Bashing birch and bonfires
Location
- Wed 20 Nov 2024, 9:50am-3:00pm
5 positions available
What you will be doing
Heathland Management
The heathland at Greno Woods needs regular maintenance to stop it regenerating into birch and scrub dominated woodland. Although this type of habitat isn’t a bad thing, we have plenty of it but far less quality heathland. The heathland habitat provides excellent habitat for a number of species, including the nightjar (a species of conservation concern and a heathland specialist).
To do this there are usually two main tasks, controlling bracken by pulling it up and controlling the birch saplings by cutting them down.
As we're now in the colder months a lot of the bracken will have died back so this day is likely to focus on controlling the birch saplings. Felling and collecting them together to either create new habitat or, to keep you all warm, creating a bonfire.
About Greno Woods Nature Reserve
Greno Woods is an ancient woodland rich in wildlife and one of our largest reserves, covering 169 hectares. As well as varierty of conifer and broad leaf trees, it is also an important natural flood management role, containing a network of ponds, ditches ready to store water and slow the flow; reducing the flooding impact in the local area while also creating habitat for freshwater invertebrates and amphibians such as common frog and smooth newt.
You'll also see, or hear, a range of birds such as woodpecker, tree creeper and woodcock; and find evidence of mammals such as bats, badgers and roe deer.

What we are looking for
No specific skills required. Although we will be working on uneven ground and some level of physical fitness would be good however we will have regular biscuit breaks and can adapt the activity to all levels.
The most important thing is that you're willing to give it a go while being outside to enjoy the fresh air. 🌞
What difference this will make
Heathland has become an increasingly rare habitat, some report that 85% has been lost in the UK over the last 200 years. As a result, species that rely on this habitat, such as nightjar, warblers and woodlark have also declined. We're lucky enough to have healthy heathland at a number of our nature reserves, including Greno Woods, so it's important that we look after it. With your support we can keep it that way, protecting a habitat and species that need our help.
What to bring
Please bring: Lunch, water, appropriate clothes and footwear for the weather and activities.
For this activity participants should know that the ground is very rough (uneven and thick in vegetation) in the area we will be working in and be able to cope with such terrain. Suitable footwear (ideally wellies or walking boots but otherwise stout shoes or trainers with good grips) are mandatory.
Getting there
We have a private car park at the site, off Woodhead Road:
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WXBqsqocF1DJ22GdA
- What 3 Words map: https://what3words.com/raced.silks.onion
The 83 bus and M92 bus both go to Grenoside, it is then a 15 minute walk to Greno Woods.
Other meeting points may be used depending on where the acitivities are taking place, we will let you know if there is a more suitable meeting point.
Find out more about Greno Woods: www.wildsheffield.com/reserves/greno-woods-reserve/
Facilities
On site:
Compostable toilet
Off site:
Convenience store and pubs available at Grenoside, 2 miles away.
Accessibility
The ground is very rough (uneven and thick in vegetation) in the area we will be working in. Suitable footwear (ideally wellies or walking boots but otherwise stout shoes or trainers with good grips) are mandatory.
Please contact us before the day to let us know if you have any accessibility requirements.
Access to the reserve for wheelchair users and those with restricted mobility is limited. The Trans-Pennine Trail, running from Greno Gate to Sandy Lane is wheelchair accessible.
Access map available at: www.wildsheffield.com/reserves/greno-woods-reserve/#downloads
Additional Details
We will provide: Tools, PPE, safety talk, tea, biscuits 🍪
Further information about Wild Work Days and Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust can be found on our website.
or
If you're looking for more information a different date for your team, that is not currently available here, then please get in touch via [email protected]
Wild Work Day overview video:

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