Regenerative Woodland Project
The Parsons Meadow
At CAMO, sustainability isn’t an add-on — it’s the foundation of how we work. Our recent woodland restoration project is a living example of that commitment.
CAMO purchased a 4 acre plot of forgotten woodland that had been used as a dumping ground and unmanaged for decades.
A Woodland Forgotten
The woodland was struggling. Scrap metal, discarded materials, and years of unmanaged growth had overwhelmed the natural ecosystem. Dead trees blocked the canopy. Dense brush shut out sunlight. Habitats that once supported wildlife had begun to disappear.
The land wasn’t beyond saving — it simply needed someone to take responsibility for it.
Restoration with Purpose
CAMO’s team committed to bringing the woodland back to health, piece by piece.
- Every fragment of scrap metal and rubbish was removed and recycled responsibly.
Forest Management
- Dead and hazardous trees were cleared to make the area safe and open.
- The canopy was selectively thinned, allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor for the first time in years.
- Space was created for younger trees, wildflowers, and returning wildlife.
This wasn’t a quick fix. It was a deliberate act of stewardship — guided by the belief that the places we work should thrive long after we leave them.
Restoring Drainage
Ditches were essential to help heavily water logged areas drain properly to give the woodland floor space to breath.
Natural Habitats
By carefully gathering fallen branches and creating natural habitat structures, we’ve given birds, insects, and small mammals new places to shelter and flourish. Our work supports biodiversity and helps the woodland grow wilder, richer, and more resilient for the future.
Wild Flower Revival
We also revived the meadow using a no-dig approach that protects soil structure and the life within it. By leaving the ground undisturbed and removing only the nutrient-rich surface growth, we created the right conditions for native wildflowers to return. This gentle method has encouraged a more diverse mix of plants to emerge naturally, boosting pollinators and enhancing the meadow’s ecological health.
Wild Door Mice
We’ve also supported the return of the hazel dormouse, a species once locally absent from the area. Working with licensed conservation specialists, we introduced dormice into the restored woodland and provided the dense, connected understorey they rely on for food and shelter. Their presence is an encouraging sign that the habitat is recovering and capable of sustaining more sensitive native wildlife.
Natural Grazers
To enrich the land further, a small group of retired sheep now graze the site, adding nutrients to the soil and gently managing bramble growth. Together, these efforts are transforming the landscape into a richer, wilder sanctuary for native wildlife.