Screwfix Announces New Partnership With The Woodland Trust

• Screwfix announces new three-year partnership with The Woodland Trust to restore ancient woodland in Dorset

Screwfix has announced a new three-year partnership with the Woodland Trust to support the restoration and long-term protection of Kingsettle Wood, an ancient woodland of significant environmental and heritage value near Shaftesbury in Dorset.

The partnership will enable essential woodland restoration work to take place, helping to protect native habitats, increase biodiversity and support the resilience of this irreplaceable landscape for future generations. This long-term conservation work is designed to safeguard the woodland’s ecological health and encourage the recovery of native woodland plants and wildlife.

Ancient woodland represents one of the UK’s most threatened and damaged habitats, covering just 2.5% of the UK. Yet they are uniquely valuable havens, supporting a rich variety of wildlife and playing a vital role in carbon storage, soil health and natural flood mitigation. Kingsettle Wood is an important example of this natural heritage, and the continued investment from Screwfix will contribute to reversing historic damage and ensuring its long-term survival.

Screwfix has supported the Woodland Trust since 2022, enabling essential woodland management work across the 21-hectare (51-acre) site. The funding has supported the thinning of dense beech stands to allow more light to reach the forest floor, encouraging natural regeneration, greater biodiversity, and the return of native species. Materials from the restoration, including felled beech trunks, have even been repurposed innovatively to create wildlife habitats elsewhere.

Sam Hamer, Woodland Trust Site Manager for the project, said: “Kingsettle Wood is a precious ancient woodland that had been altered by past planting of non-native species, threatening to lose its biodiversity forever. Thanks to Screwfix’s continued partnership, we’ve been able to carry out careful management that protects the historic character of the site while creating a more diverse and resilient habitat for wildlife. Their support has made a real difference on the ground, helping us restore this special place for future generations to enjoy.”

The partnership highlights Screwfix’s commitment to environmental sustainability and community impact, with the company’s funding and practical contributions (including tools and equipment) playing a key role in the hands-on restoration efforts.

Sam added: “We are incredibly grateful to Screwfix for their long-term commitment. Partnerships like this allow us to protect and restore irreplaceable ancient woodland, delivering benefits for nature, people, and the wider environment. Kingsettle Wood is thriving as a result, and we look forward to continuing this successful collaboration.”

Max Britten, Screwfix Managing Director UK and ROI: “Since 2022, Screwfix has partnered with the Woodland Trust to support their vital work protecting nature, restoring woodland and supporting wildlife across the UK. We’re proud to be continuing that support through an exciting new three-year partnership.”

Kingsettle Wood offers stunning views across the surrounding countryside and is open to the public for quiet enjoyment. The restoration work aims to safeguard its future as a haven for wildlife and a valuable community resource.

Source : Screwfix 

Image : Screwfix/Woodland Trust - Kingsettle Wood, 

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