Sustainable management of native landscape / woodland in the transition to a low carbon society

Abstract

The losses of natural and native landscape, mostly to agricultural practices are a significant concern for both atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gasses and biodiversity. This paper conducts a critical analytical review of Hill Holt Wood (HHW) a Social Enterprise in the UK in light of criteria derived from recommendations identified and compiled by the UN, Intergovernmental and the UK Forestry Commission. Identifying successful strategies from the HHW experience, the paper's objective is to establish a future framework that can be adapted and adopted following contextual and cultural identities in order to provide a legacy to assist in the appropriate management of our natural landscape. In an attempt to accelerate the transition to a low carbon society, the paper concludes by inaugurating the lessons learnt from the HHW model into “A Framework Legacy for the Appropriate Management of Natural Landscape and Woodlands”, contributing to the current body of literature, providing a tool to be used by varied users to encourage and affect changes in individual and national behavior and impacting policymakers. The paper is valuable in assembling and analysing the diverse benefits of the HHW initiative and the lessons learnt; including social, economic and environmental positive outcomes of the project.