Viper Woods.
In July 2021, Viper purchased a plot of land comprising 31.5 acres, located 1.5 miles from the village of Stogumber in West Somerset. The land consists of 14.5 acres of woodland and 17 acres of open pastureland. It comprises both mature woodland and recently planted (2004 – 2006) younger woodland. There is also a small stream running through the site.
The primary purpose of this purchase is for carbon sequestration. This land purchase and woodland creation scheme will help Viper in its drive to offset its own carbon footprint, whilst at the same time contribute to the overall target set by the UK government to be net zero by 2050.
Viper and its staff act as custodians for the existing woodland and, working with the Forestry Commission, will plant the majority of the remaining 17 acres with over 9000 new trees. In order to rewild some of the site, one field will be planted with wildflowers, along with preserving an existing bank of wild orchids. Such a large area of woodland will also help with creating a diverse and protected habitat with a focus on the ecology. Viper’s aim is to make this woodland rich in wildlife with significant biodiversity.
To combat climate change, the UK government has established an action plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. As part of that plan, there is an urgent need for tree planting at a rate of 30,000 hectares of land every year.
This land purchase and woodland creation scheme will help Viper in its drive to offset its own carbon footprint and its move to net-zero emissions, whilst at the same time contribute to the overall target set by the UK government.
It is also proposed that some of the land will be used for forestry research to compare the efficiency of planting versus natural colonisation. In addition to this, there is the opportunity for an element of meadow rewilding with some of the existing pasture land. Viper and the Forestry Commission will be using this project as a case study to show how a business with the right CSR focus can create a significant and positive impact on the environment.
The Woodland project will offer many benefits to the environment and the wider community – such as encouraging biodiversity, allowing for family and community education in the woodland, and providing an enhanced environment for wildlife. The project will also help with creating a diverse and protected habitat with a strong focus on ecology.