Two years of biodiversity work at King's Wood, Challock is beginning to show benefits.

The Kentish Stour Countryside Project & Forest Enterprise (a branch of the Forestry Commission) have been working in partnership to carry out major works in the wood. Over the last 18 months almost £30,000 has been spent on improving wildlife habitat throughout the wood located between Wye & Challock. The work has also improved the attractiveness of the wood for visitors. The Kentish Stour Countryside Project received funding from the Brett Environment Trust and the European Regional Development Fund. The Forestry Commission have co-ordinated most of the work.

Management work has focused on widening rides (wide access routes through the wood) and creating glades to benefit woodland wildflowers, butterflies, reptiles and birds. Approximately 18 acres of sweet chestnut coppice has been removed along rides to create a more interesting structure that will allow more plants to flower at the ride edge and more scrub/shrubs to develop at the woodland edge so encouraging species such as nightingale. With the help of Friends of King's Wood two new ponds have also been created.

The wood and visitor facilities are now very different to ten years ago when there was a small car park and no way-marked walks. The wood has the Stour Valley Art sculpture trail, play furniture, picnic areas, some large open glades near the improved car park and interpretive panels. The Forestry Commission and the Kentish Stour Countryside Project have worked together on most of these improvements. Due to its large size the wood still retains its tranquility.

April/May is a good time to visit the wood as the bluebells and other wildflowers will be at their best. Friends of King's Wood are organising a series of walks and events.

The Kentish Stour Countryside Project is to make a further application for European funding to continue the biodiversity work at King's Wood.

Jon Shelton from the Kentish Stour Countryside Project would be happy to take members of the press to see the work that has been carried out at King's Wood.

For further information contact: