business
what we do
We work with local small businesses, providing space, resources and equipment to help them make the most of the woodland in an ecologically conscious way.
Whitelands CIC works to support small scale sustainable industry, offering services for a fraction of the market value, so that working woodlands can become more accessible for all. Payment can be worked out on a sliding scale – we typically ask for 20% of the profits generated from woodland business ventures. Why? Because our aim is to restore both the woodland ecosystem and the local community’s connection with it. If you encourage others to value something for ecological, emotional and economic reasons, they are all the more likely to protect it.
Are you a small trader, land worker, craftsperson or artist? Are you in need of a woodland base? Or simply interested in woodlands and land management? If so, we want to hear from you, and hear how you want to make biodiversity your business.
(Our agreements are based off value to the woodland, often relying on skill sharing or assistance with woodland maintenance rather than financial agreements. Payment may be required in some circumstances.)
We want to help develop rural industry in the South Downs. Whitelands is a working woodland, with ongoing timber extraction, firewood production, and management, as well as ecosystem restoration. The skills required to manage native woodlands in the UK are being lost, but by making woodland resources more accessible, we give people a reason to learn. We also host volunteer work parties, where you can get a taste for forestry and invest in the maintenance of the site. We are always looking for new ideas for projects, so don’t hesitate to get in touch.
You can have a look at our current partnerships below.
On site throughout the year we have:
Tom Hartley – Hart Landscaping and Trees – Whitelands Sawmill
Custom milled sustainable timber from the heart of South Downs National Park. Specializing in Western Red Cedar.
Contact: 07818882063 or at whitelandssawmill@gmail.com
Elsa Donovan – Club Morgan – Whitelands Kids Clubs
Kids groups during school holidays with Elsa of Club Morgan. Activities include art and drama, bushcraft, den building, tree climbing and running wild!
Contact: 07821625195 or elsadonovan@club-morgan.com
Whitelands Network – Volunteer Work Parties
Local volunteers helping out with woodland maintenance, skill sharing and eating cake. Follow our Facebook page to keep updated!
Contact: whitelandswood@btinternet.com
We also collaborate on:
Art and Education
Contact Keziah of the Granary Arts Collective to her more about land art
Contact the University of Portsmouth Architecture department to hear more about ecological architectural design
Contact Will of Bardulf to hear more about filming
Research
University of St Andrews – Fritha West, MSc project
University of Lancaster – Bede West, PhD project
Arboriculture – training and services
Contact Gillon Laidlaw of Arbsystem
Contact Nik Woods of Nik Woods Tree Services
Conservation
We have worked with a number of conservation organisations including:
Forestry Commission
Natural England
Butterfly Conservation
the Woodland Trust
We are proud members of the Land Workers Alliance and the School for Social Entrepreneurs.
