Woodville Walled Garden Environmental Policy
To date our mission for Woodville is to conserve and restore the fabric of this historical walled garden and adjoining woodland trail using environmentally sustainable and where possible fully organic techniques. So far we have achieved the following, but realise that more improvements will have to be implemented and we will strive to achieve this for the future environmental integrity of Woodville.
Our main objectives are as follows:
We believe and participate in the Leave No Trace Ethics which implements the following principles:
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Be Considerate of Others
- Respect Farm Animals and Wildlife
- Travel and Camp on Durable Ground
- Leave What You Find
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Minimise the Effects of Fire
By the distribution of the Leave No Trace booklet we promote environmental awareness to all our employees and visitors.
Diligent management of operations by employees to eliminate pest infestation through organic methods and encourage the purchasing of environmentally preferable products and services.
Reduction of waste and implementation of the most feasible environmental options for disposal of unrecoverable materials, promotion of the use of recycled materials and sourcing of sustainable markets for recovered materials.
To comply with all the health and safety and environmental legislation and regulatory requirements. “Safety of industry act 1955 and 1980 and the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005”
Implementation of our Environmental Policy
Heating
the entrance area through the stables into the Walled Garden is heated by an open fire with timber supplied from windblown felled trees on the farm.
Water
We use rain water collected from the roofs of the house and outhouses and supplement it with our own well water which has been tested and approved.
Waste Water
All wastewater is treated in our own septic tanks.
Recycling
We operate a compost area for the garden as well as separating other waste such as plastic, glass and paper which is collected bi-weekly by an authorized recycling service company.
Electricity
Our electricity supplier uses one of the most environmentally friendly of all fossil fuels which emits lower levels of potentially harmful by-products into the air, making it one of the lowest polluting fossil fuels available. We have also begun to replace old light bulbs with lower energy versions, as they need replacement.
Food
We provide afternoon tea to groups and use fair-trade products. We also use jam made from our own fruit produced in the garden.
Farm Management
Our farm participates in the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme guaranteeing measures to care
for the preservation of stone walls, hedgerows and care for our rivers. Organic methods are practiced in the maintenance and upkeep of the Walled Garden such as crop rotation, sowing of catch crops and companion planting, mulching etc. In our woodland we grow hardwoods such as beech, ash and many other native species. In the last year we have planted over 100 new trees and intend to continue on with this process of replacing new trees where required as an ongoing maintenance of this native wood. We also encourage wildlife by erecting bird boxes and bird feeders to help promote and protect our natural wildlife present and allow no shooting on this section of the wood.
Safety
We provide all our employees with protective goggles, ear muffs, gloves etc. We monitor and reduce our use of non- ecological sprays and where possible replace them with environmentally safe products. We also provide a designated area for disposal of any harmful substances which would be later properly disposed off through our local County Councils.
