Dunwich Forest

In 2006 the Forestry Commission published a new Forest Design Plan for Dunwich which proposed a radical shift from the current conifer plantation to a mix of semi-natural habitats. The northern part of the forest would be managed to develop into predominantly broad-leaved woodland while the southern part of the forest would be progressively clear-felled to recreate lowland heath with wet woodland and some broad-leaved woodland. The Forestry Commission sought to work in partnership with Suffolk Wildlife Trust and RSPB to deliver this vision with SWT as the main partner in the northern area and RSPB leading on the heathland creation in the southern part of the forest. This will be the first time such an initiative has been undertaken on this scale in the UK.