Dewis Gwyllt was developed to explore the potential for income generation from non-timber, wild forest products to support community woodland groups in Wales. Our team works on the ground with groups and conducts scientific research to scope out sustainable harvesting opportunities. But it’s important to note we are not a foraging initiative.

We have been researching birch sap, wild garlic, elderflower, tree seeds and aromatic plants for essential oil production: where can these products be found and how can they be harvested sustainably on a commercial basis?

It is conceptually easy to say that harvesting should be sustainable. But working out what this means in practice for a particular species and woodland can be far from straightforward and requires an understanding of the species, the woodland and its place in the wider physical, social and cultural landscape.