A wildlife conservation initiative in Hertfordshire has yielded measurable ecological benefits following the completion of restoration work across seven nature reserves. The Ancient Astonbury and Wilder Woodlands project, funded by a £162,698 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, has resulted in the first recorded sightings of two damselfly species at one of the sites, Astonbury Wood near Stevenage. The Beautiful Demoiselle and Willow Emerald damselflies were observed at the location, marking a significant indicator of improved habitat quality.
The restoration efforts included the implementation of coppice management across an ancient woodland area equivalent in size to a football pitch. This traditional tree management technique, which involves felling trees at their base to create a “stool” where new shoots regenerate, allows increased light penetration to the woodland floor. The increased light exposure has encouraged the proliferation of flowers, insects, and birds throughout the restored areas.
Additional habitat improvements included the clearing of dense vegetation and bramble from woodland glades that had remained unmanaged for approximately two decades. The resulting open habitats are now subject to annual cutting and raking to maintain their restored condition. An area of hornbeam trees at Astonbury Wood was coppiced during December 2025 and displayed robust regrowth throughout the following growing season, despite challenging dry summer conditions.
The ecological response has extended beyond damselflies. Silver-washed Fritillary butterflies were recorded in notably higher numbers during summer 2026 compared to previous years, reflecting the positive impact of increased floral resources. The seven sites included in the project were Astonbury Wood, Balls Wood, Fir & Pond Woods, Gobions Wood, Old Park Wood, Long Deans, and Hawkins Wood, distributed across Hertfordshire locations.
According to the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust, future management plans include additional coppicing work and restoration efforts focused on protecting woodland ponds from drying out entirely, as climate conditions produce increasingly hot and dry summers.
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