Best Practice

In order to fulfill the aims and objectives of our Environmental Policy, we are undertaking the following 'best practice' measures:

Fossil Fuel Alternatives

• Diesel replaced by water when mixed with glyphosate (our chemical of choice)
• All machines running on Plantoil’s 2-stroke oil (a blend of synthetic base oils providing a low-smoke burn)
• Utilising biodegradable chain oil made from rapeseed and not from palm oil
• Organic and non-mechanical management options available e.g. axe-felling, scything, bracken-rolling and grazing

Waste Management

• Building 'habitat piles' rather than burning, where ecologically appropriate
• Burning on peatlands on raised platforms, and subsequent removal of ash
• Burning on grasslands on bare areas or those of low floristic interest
• Minimisation of waste by recycling of all metal and plastic consumables

Transport Planning

• Maximising use of shared transport
• Encouraging employees to keep vehicles well tuned, tyres properly inflated, and to restrict speed to a maximum of 50mph
• Strong consideration given to location of work and employees' home addresses to minimise travel distances

Sustainable Thinking

• Maximising use of by-products from our conservation work, e.g. wood for domestic heating
• Only using British Origin plants, and from local sources where available, in any planting / sowing schemes, with the exception of non-native, non-invasive species which are known to be beneficial food sources
• Only using Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certified fencing timber products

Environmental Awareness

• Only using herbicides as part of a programme of restoration and not as a technique employed for long-term management
• Specialised methods of herbicide application employed to minimise quantity used, and risk of contamination through spillage
• Undertaking a basic Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before accepting any work and aiming to promote environmentally sensitive options where we feel there is a conflict of interests e.g. communicating the virtue of leaving standing dead trees when theoretically quoting for their removal
• Responding to global warming by stopping scrub clearance mid-March
• Subscribing to and promoting the values of the Deep Ecology movement

Employee Development

• Ensuring each employee is familiar with the Green Mantle ‘Practice, Policy and Procedure’ booklet, which includes sections on Health & Safety and mitigation, measures against potential environmental damage
• Selecting employees who possess both training in theoretical nature conservation / ecology and practical estate management skills
• Employing the services of a specialist company to oversee all of our HR and H&S requirements
• Operation of a ‘Fair Pay Scheme’
• Operation of a Site Project Manager Scheme
• Training in Gandhian Non-violent-communication Techniques and Deep Ecological Philosophy/Ecopsychology
• Investing in staff, providing training in Inspirational Leadership, Manual Handling, Ecological Surveying, Arboriculture, etc.
• Providing training and practical experience and networking opportunities
• As part of our Equal Opportunities Policy, we run an Anti-sexism Forum