Overview
This one-day course provides forestry and woodland professionals with a practical understanding of the new protected species approach for forestry operations in Wales, including how the GN72 guidance and supporting Species Good Practice Guides can be applied to real-world woodland management and forestry activities.
Focus on Forestry First has led the development of this practical training, working with the Natural Resources Wales development team and with input from forestry and ecology specialists and industry representatives. The development of the course has been supported by Welsh Government funding.
The course focuses on what the change in approach means in practice for those planning, managing, supervising and undertaking forestry operations, and how proportionate, risk-based decisions can be made while meeting protected species responsibilities.
Through a combination of classroom discussion and practical outdoor exercises, delegates will explore how to assess potential risks, gather appropriate evidence, apply reasonable steps and determine when further ecological advice, escalation or licensing may be required.
Pre-Course Reading (Recommended)
To help you get the most from the course, delegates are encouraged to familiarise themselves with NRW's Consider Protected Species During Forest Operations guidance before attending.
The guidance introduces the new regulatory approach and provides links to the supporting Species Good Practice Guides (GPGs).
NRW Guidance: Natural Resources Wales / Consider protected species during forest operations
Prior reading is not essential but will support discussion during the course.
Please note that this course focuses on understanding the principles of the new regulatory approach and how the supporting guidance is applied within operational forestry. It is not intended to provide a detailed review of every individual Good Practice Guide.
Objectives
By the end of the course, delegates will have an understanding of:
The legal and regulatory context for protected species and forestry operations in Wales
The new regulatory approach and what it means for forestry operations
How the Species Good Practice Guides (GPGs) can be used alongside operational forestry planning
The importance of due diligence, woodland knowledge and structured walkover surveys
The relationship between felling licence conditions, environmental controls and operator responsibility
How to apply proportionate, risk-based decision making to practical forestry scenarios
How to record decisions and demonstrate compliance with relevant regulatory requirements
When further ecological advice, escalation or licensing may be appropriate
How to apply the guidance through practical woodland and site-based exercises
This is not a detailed species identification or ecological survey course. The emphasis is on the practical application of the guidance within operational forestry.
Course Structure
Morning - Classroom Session
Legal and regulatory context, the new regulatory approach, Species Good Practice Guides, due diligence, operator responsibility and recording decisions.
Afternoon - Practical Woodland Session
A structured woodland walkover applying the principles covered during the morning to practical forestry scenarios, including habitat recognition, proportionate mitigation and evidence-based decision making.
Instructor
Graham Morgan BSc MSc MICFor CEnv MCIEEM
Graham is a Chartered Forester, Chartered Environmental Scientist and Ecologist with 24 years' professional experience across forestry, woodland management and environmental planning.
As Director and Lead Woodland Consultant at The SLIM Woodlands CIC, Graham combines practical forestry and ecological expertise with extensive experience in environmental guidance and policy. He is an experienced and highly regarded trainer, known for taking a pragmatic approach that considers both the practical realities of forestry operations and the needs of protected species.
His ability to translate complex environmental and regulatory requirements into clear, practical and proportionate guidance makes him ideally placed to deliver this course.
Who Should Attend?
This course is aimed at professionals involved in forestry and woodland management in Wales, including Forestry Works Managers, woodland managers, supervisors, contractors, planners, consultants, landowners and those responsible for environmental compliance.
The course will be particularly relevant to those who need to understand how the new approach affects the planning and delivery of forestry operations and how to demonstrate that appropriate steps have been taken.
Cost (booking fee)
£95 + VAT per person
The development of this course has been supported by Welsh Government, enabling us to offer this training to the wider forestry and woodland sector at a significantly reduced cost.
Please read our Terms & Conditions before booking.
Point of contact
If you have any issues booking this event please contact - info@focusonforestryfirst.co.uk
If you are having trouble paying using your credit or Debit Card, please see our Quick Guide.
Other Information
PPE: The course includes an outdoor woodland session. Ground may be uneven, so delegates should bring suitable outdoor PPE and footwear appropriate for forestry and woodland conditions and the weather.
Refreshments: Refreshments will be provided. Please bring your own packed lunch.
Additional information regarding this will be provided during the course.