Sandi Toksvig’s Sustainable Wood Fuel and Woodland Revival

When Sandi Toksvig and her wife Debbie set out to breathe life back into an ancient woodland in southern England, they weren’t just preserving trees—they were leading a movement toward smarter, greener land care. Their journey highlights how sustainable wood fuel can play a vital role in reviving British woodlands, creating healthier ecosystems while offering an eco-friendly energy source.

A woodland in need of rescue

Their 15-acre slice of countryside had been left unmanaged for decades. Thick tree canopies blocked sunlight from reaching the forest floor, stifling the growth of wildflowers, young trees, and the vibrant wildlife that depends on them. Rather than letting the decline continue, Sandi decided to take action—proving that hands-on management, not just protection, is key to true restoration.

Sustainable woodland management: why thinning matters

One of the first steps was carefully thinning the woodland. Although it might seem strange, selective felling is crucial for a healthy forest. Removing overcrowded or ailing trees allows more light to flood the ground, encouraging a thriving, biodiverse habitat.

This vital work created an unexpected but valuable byproduct: timber. Instead of discarding the wood, Sandi found a way to turn it into a resource that supports both the woodland and the community—sustainable wood fuel.

Sustainable wood fuel: powering restoration and local homes

Using the felled wood for sustainable wood fuel offered a brilliant solution. By converting surplus timber into firewood, Sandi and her team established a renewable energy source that helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Even better, the income generated from selling firewood goes directly back into managing the woodland—funding new planting, trail maintenance, and essential equipment.

This circular economy model ensures that woodland restoration remains financially sustainable while promoting responsible energy choices. Choosing sustainable wood fuel not only benefits the environment but also keeps ancient skills and rural traditions alive.

Community: the heart of Sandi’s woodland revival

Recognizing that real change is a collective effort, Sandi reached out to her local community. Volunteers joined her mission, helping to clear paths, plant saplings, and gather timber for firewood. In return, villagers gained a sense of ownership over their local woodland—and some warming firewood supplies for winter.

This grassroots approach proves that restoring Britain’s woodlands isn’t just about land—it’s about people, too. Together, they showed how local communities can lead the charge in promoting sustainable wood fuel and ecological restoration.

Lessons from the woodland

Sandi’s project offers a practical roadmap for anyone looking to restore natural spaces sustainably:

• Thinning forests boosts biodiversity: Managing tree density opens up ecosystems.
• Sustainable wood fuel is a resource, not waste: By using felled timber, it provides green energy and funds conservation.
• Community engagement is essential: Local support builds resilience and ensures long-term success.

By combining traditional woodland skills with modern sustainability practices, Sandi’s initiative is breathing new life into a vital part of Britain’s landscape—and inspiring others to do the same.

We spotted a Hobbit in the wild!

Here at Salamander Stoves, not only are we avid supporters of the passion that Sandi has for restoring her ancient woodland, and producing sustainable wood fuel from the felled timber, we are very proud Sandi chose to have two of our little Hobbit Stoves! One is in her woodland office (which you get a look at in the show!) And the other is in her narrowboat. It is great to know the sustainable wood fuel she is creating from her woodland is being used in our Hobbit Stove.

Watch her new series Sandi’s Great British Woodland Restoration online here!

Our TreeSisters Partnership

As a way to give back to Mother Nature, and as a way to embed restoration within our company, we are proud to announce that we have partnered with TreeSisters! TreeSisters is a UK-registered reforestation and social change charity based in Bristol. They operate globally, and so far they have funded the planting of more than 19 million trees across 12 locations in Brazil, Borneo, Cameroon, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Madagascar, Nepal and West Papua! 

For every Hobbit stove or Little Range that you purchase, we will fund the planting of 3 trees at no extra cost to you! 20% of every Hobbit stove is also made from recycled iron and we’re working hard to remove all plastic from our packaging, in order to minimise the impact that we have on our beautiful planet, whilst keeping you warm and cosy. We’ve also launched the new Eco Design version of our Hobbit stove, which is much more efficient, and you can read more about this here.

Sandi Toksvig’s woodland restoration isn’t just about saving trees, it’s a blueprint for how sustainable wood fuel can power both environmental recovery and community spirit. Her story reminds us that with thoughtful management and collaboration, Britain’s woodlands can once again become thriving, magical places for generations to enjoy.