Not up to much in the woodland this week, as I'm in Birmingham delivering a seminar (my"other" job).
I'll still be working on the plan in free time though.
Monday 3 June 2013
Saturday 1 June 2013
SWOT Analysis
A SWOT analysis is a useful technique, often used in strategic business planning. It's essentially a "pasteboard" that allows one to consider, and list, the Strengths and Weaknesses of an enterprise, the Opportunities facing it, and the Threats that could compromise the success of the enterprise.
Here's my first stab at a SWOT analysis for Tarrel Woodland:
Strengths
Location - by the coast, high amenity value
Climate - benign, relatively dry, good sunshine record
Soil quality - planted on fertile agricultural land
Access and terrain - level with all purpose vehicle access to road
Existing income from foliage sales
Site layout - well designed with good quality tracks
Good neighbours
Size and space - 60 acres, enough to do new stuff while maintaining existing income flow
Weaknesses
Mono-culture. 80% plus is close-planted Noble Fir
Distance from major population centres
Some rides eroded and need attention / investment
No grid power or water at site
Non-native species present
Overgrown. Needs thinning, ride clearance.
Lack of manpower
Limited funds
Current income is highly seasonal
Owner's lack of experience
Opportunities
Foliage sales - maintain / develop
Wreaths - high value-added
Other festive decorations
Tourism - camping, bushcraft, foraging
Forest education - schools, adult outdoor-learning, retreats, workshops
Large nordman firs (20 feet plus)
Firewood - for own use and for sale
Lumber (planks, poles, roundwood)
Furniture
Wood-turning
Non-timber forest products (NTFP) - fruit, herbs, fungi, etc.
Seed and sapling sales
Short rotation coppice products (fence posts, walking sticks, staves, etc)
Improvement grants
Solar farm
Leasing part of land
Conversion to / rental of woodland crofts
Diversification of planting to facilitate some of above
Increase in / diversification of wildlife within the woodland
Meat production through occasional control of rabbits / deer
Threats
Disease / insects / fungal infection
Fire
Tourism downturn
Loss of wholesale foliage partner / customer
Planning constraints
Climate change
Time / resources (lack of)
The next steps are:
1. To articulate a vision for how we see the woodland in 15 years
2. Prepare a priority matrix for the opportunities identified
3. Start preparing some specific objectives that will focus our activity over the coming months / years, and allow us to think about any financial investment needed.
Here's my first stab at a SWOT analysis for Tarrel Woodland:
Strengths
Location - by the coast, high amenity value
Climate - benign, relatively dry, good sunshine record
Soil quality - planted on fertile agricultural land
Access and terrain - level with all purpose vehicle access to road
Existing income from foliage sales
Site layout - well designed with good quality tracks
Good neighbours
Size and space - 60 acres, enough to do new stuff while maintaining existing income flow
Weaknesses
Mono-culture. 80% plus is close-planted Noble Fir
Distance from major population centres
Some rides eroded and need attention / investment
No grid power or water at site
Non-native species present
Overgrown. Needs thinning, ride clearance.
Lack of manpower
Limited funds
Current income is highly seasonal
Owner's lack of experience
Opportunities
Foliage sales - maintain / develop
Wreaths - high value-added
Other festive decorations
Tourism - camping, bushcraft, foraging
Forest education - schools, adult outdoor-learning, retreats, workshops
Large nordman firs (20 feet plus)
Firewood - for own use and for sale
Lumber (planks, poles, roundwood)
Furniture
Wood-turning
Non-timber forest products (NTFP) - fruit, herbs, fungi, etc.
Seed and sapling sales
Short rotation coppice products (fence posts, walking sticks, staves, etc)
Improvement grants
Solar farm
Leasing part of land
Conversion to / rental of woodland crofts
Diversification of planting to facilitate some of above
Increase in / diversification of wildlife within the woodland
Meat production through occasional control of rabbits / deer
Threats
Disease / insects / fungal infection
Fire
Tourism downturn
Loss of wholesale foliage partner / customer
Planning constraints
Climate change
Time / resources (lack of)
The next steps are:
1. To articulate a vision for how we see the woodland in 15 years
2. Prepare a priority matrix for the opportunities identified
3. Start preparing some specific objectives that will focus our activity over the coming months / years, and allow us to think about any financial investment needed.
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