Short Courses
Wye Coppice runs a range of short courses on woodland management, led by our own team and other expert facilitators. These are mostly day-long sessions aimed at woodland owners, conservation workers and anyone wanting to learn about managing woods (chiefly the native broadleaf type!) .
We are on the list of approved course providers for the Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund. Details here should allow you to complete funding forms. When the fund is open for applications, do not delay!
Why book with Wye Coppice? Our team have both on-the-ground, practical experience and a sound theoretical understanding of sustainable woodland management. We want to share that knowledge to promote low-impact practices that improve woodlands and create biodiverse habitats.
For courses with no future date scheduled, please get in touch so we can discuss your requirements. We can put together bespoke packages, or add you to our mailing list. Course prices include VAT.
Ancient woodland restoration
What is an ancient woodland and what do we mean when we talk about restoring it? Learn about the concept; the value of this rare environment; ancient woodland indicator species; and how to sensitively manage gradual restoration of these special places. Classroom based with site visits.
Date: 15 November 2025
Cost: £120
Location: Redbrook, Gloucestershire
Please email to info@wyecoppice.co.uk
Coppicing
Spend a day finding out about coppicing - why we do it, how it's done and what you can do with your coppiced wood. Joe Weaver will lead this introductory course, offering plenty of insights from his many years working in broadleaf woodlands and making a living from harvesting small diameter timber. The day will include lots of theory, but also a bit of practical.
Date: 29 November 2025
Location: Breakheart Community Woodland, Stroud
Cost: £120
Please email to: info@wyecoppice.co.uk
Introduction to woodland management & coppicing
The essential guide to caring for your woods. Covers the basics of maintaining a safe, thriving and biodiverse wood, including the benefits of coppicing as a form of management. This course is for people interested in the theory behind managing woods, the reasons we undertake operations, and legal/planning aspects. Mostly classroom based with site visits.
Date: 17 January 2026
Location: Huntley, Gloucestershire
Cost: £120
Please email booking form to info@wyecoppice.co.uk
Coppicing & hedgelaying intro
Find out why and how we coppice, and what you can do with coppiced wood. We will also look at hedges and hedgelaying. These traditional field boundaries are a goldmine for biodiversity, but have been in sharp decline since intensive farming took hold in the 20th century. Hedgelaying is a heritage craft that can make existing hedges even better - as a barrier and for wildlife. Hedging stakes and binders are traditional coppice products that we will use in this introductory course.
Date: 7 March 2026
Location: TBC
Cost: £120
Please email booking form to info@wyecoppice.co.uk
Charcoal making
Learn how to make charcoal in ring kilns, from locally harvested wood. A hands-on day, based outside in the woods. Take home a freshly made bag to cook with at home!
DATE: 21 March 2026
Cost: £120
Location: Backwell, Bristol
Please email booking form to info@wyecoppice.co.uk
NEW in 2026! Managing your woods for biodiversity
Do you want to find out what actions will increase valuable habitat for things that blossom, twitter, creap and crawl, burrow and build nests? This day will be devoted to looking at woodland wildlife and wildlife friendly management.
Date: 21 April 2026
Location: TBC
Cost: £120
Register your interest: info@wyecoppice.co.uk
Managing small woods for hardwood timber
Is there potential for timber in your woods? Find out how to recognise trees that will yield useful boards, and how to go about harvesting them. We will look at extraction issues (how to get the wood out of the woods!) and types of milling.
Next date TBC
Location: Huntley, Glos.
Cost: £120
Register your interest: info@wyecoppice.co.uk
NEW in 2026! Creating a Woodland Management Plan
UNDER DEVELOPMENT. Are you interested in what goes into completing a Forestry Commission-approved Woodland Management Plan? In this course we will unpick objectives and operations, the desk-based research and on-the-ground surveying needed to fill out the FC template and develop a sustainable vision for your woodland.
Please register you interest and we will offer a date in 2026.
Cost: £120
Register your interest: info@wyecoppice.co.uk
Free Community Programme 2024-2025
This programme is supported the Wye Valley AONB Sustainable Development Fund.
Christmas crafts
A fun day of Christmassy crafts using locally sourced wood. Make your own rustic reindeer, silly snowmen and twiggy stars. Drop-in, no need to book.
Finished.
Coppicing basics
Learn the basics of coppicing and have a chat about our local woodlands. Find out what products we make and why coppicing is great for biodiversity. Bring your own lunch.
Finished.
Ring kiln charcoal
Find out how we make charcoal out in the woods, in steel kilns - and how artisan charcoal from homegrown woods differs from the imported stuff. A drop-in, meet the makers event.
Finished.
Woodland mandala making
An informal get-together where we add to a piece of communal art, using locally sourced materials and creativity. Inclusive, drop-in, all ages and abilities - come and make something lovely, natural and plastic-free!
Finished.
Traineeships
The 2024-2025 Traineeship is now closed for applications.
Want to get paid to work in the woods?
With support from the Wye Valley National Landscape Sustainable Development Fund, Wye Coppice is offering two paid traineeships commencing in August 2024. These are on-the-ground work placements, offered on a part-time basis, three days per week.
The trainee programme includes NPTC chainsaw training, equipment and PPE. Wye Coppice will help trainees develop essential skills, and find out what it's like to work in the woods in all seasons. As well as carrying out valuable practical work in the woods that Wye Coppice manage, trainees will also have the opportunity to help with course and event facilitation.
NOW CLOSED FOR APPLICATIONS.
See the job spec and how to apply here:
