Ecology Survey

Brooks Ecological have completed an Ecology Survey of Gipton Wood finding that the Wood is in excellent condition, thanks, in part, to the work of the Friends.

A huge thank you to Roundhay Environmental Action Project (REAP) and Morley Glass for funding this survey.

This survey wasn’t to tell us about what we have in the wood. We already know a lot about that thank you to the work of our volunteers monitoring and recording what they find.

This survey was to look at how we might improve the ecological condition.

The report has given us some great ideas that we can build into our work plan over the next few years as we execute our Management Plan agreed with Leeds City Council.

These include:

  • helping to hold back water in wet spaces to diversify habitat,
  • removing invasive species,
  • propagating at risk species and increasing their range within the Wood,
  • stopping paths widening and reduce the impact of recreational activity on native wildflowers, and
  • diversifying the age structure to improve the Wood’s resilience.

You can read the full report and find out more about our Management Plan.

Similar Posts

  • Bluebell walk

    On a beautiful spring day a group of 24 people had an interesting walk around Gipton Wood looking at the beautiful carpet of bluebells guided by naturalist Steve Joul. He explained the complexities of hybridisation in the bluebells between native and Spanish bluebells and the presence of albino bluebells. Wild garlic was also in flower…

  • Dead Hedging

    For our May Volunteer Action Day we met up to put in a dead hedge along part of Copgrove Road by an informal entrance to the wood. This consisted of stakes driven into the ground about 2 metres apart in a one metre wide double row. This was then filled with dead branches and twigs…

  • Gipton Wood 2050 headline results

    Thank you to everyone who completed our consultation survey and provided feedback on proposals for Gipton Wood. We’re thrilled that 92% of respondents supported all or most of the proposals. We’re now working through the feedback to look at where we can improve the proposals, or where we may need to change or adjust them….

  • AGM update

    On the 27th April, the Friends of Gipton Wood met for their Annual General Meeting. It was lovely to see so many there to discuss and set our plans for the next year. You can find the minutes here. We also watched the wonderful short film, ‘The Joy of Gipton Wood’, which is available on…

  • Fungi Foray

    Over 30 people gathered in Gipton Wood on a very wet Sunday afternoon (19th October 2025) for the annual FOGW Fungi Foray.   Wildlife expert Steve Joul led the group, sharing his extensive knowledge not only of the fungi but of other aspects of wildlife in the wood.  Very quickly our eyes to adjust to spotting…

  • Leaping into Spring

    We Leapt into Spring on 7 March at our Rhythm of Nature community event! The sun was shining and there were exciting signs of spring all around the wood to notice and explore. We created woodland crafts using a range of woodworking tools and then decorating with wools and pens. The tap tap tapping of the…