Signs of the Times
Understanding our Woodland Messages
at the Diamond Wood, Andover
For years, we’ve nurtured a vision - not only of trees growing strong and habitats thriving, but of people feeling at home in the woods. Of walkers who understand where they are and why it matters. Of children who pause, read a sign, and see the woods not just as “green space,” but as a living, breathing community that welcomes and needs them.
Today, that vision takes root in a new way. Our first ever permanent signage is being installed across Harmony Woods.
Why Signs? Why Now?
This milestone is more than just a physical change - it’s a philosophical one.
As a volunteer-led charity with no core funding, every decision we make is careful and considered. It has taken us years to raise the funds needed to install long-lasting, weatherproof signs that can serve this space, and the people who visit for years to come.
We’re not just placing signs. We’re creating opportunities to pause, to reflect, to understand. Each message is carefully written to invite a moment of connection between the visitor and the woodland.
These signs are here to:
Instruct - Helping visitors know what they can do to care for this space.
Inform - Sharing interesting facts about the flora, fauna, and history.
Interpret - Encouraging curiosity, imagination, and a sense of shared guardianship.
Examples of Our New Signs
Here are just a few of the messages you’ll find throughout the woodland:
Instructional
“Please keep dogs on leads – wild creatures call this home too.”
“Stay on marked paths to protect hidden roots and wildflower seeds.”
Informational
“This wildflower meadow is home to 60+ native species – some not seen in the region for decades.”
“Planted by local schools in 2014, this young forest will grow for generations.”
Interpretive
“Every time you walk here, you shape the story of this woodland.”
“Before these trees, this land was bare. Look at what care can grow.”
We hope these messages will make visitors feel included, part of a community effort that’s bigger than any one person, but built by thousands of thoughtful choices.
Sunset at the Andover Trees Cabin in Harmony Woods, Diamond Wood, Andover, Hampshire UK
Join Us: Open Day – July’s Community Conservation Day
To celebrate the launch of the new signage and our ongoing campaign to connect people with nature, we’re hosting a special Open Day on the 2nd Saturday of July.
Come along for:
Guided walks highlighting the new signs
Family-friendly nature conservation activities
Refreshments, food & chit-chat
Meet the volunteers who made it all happen
We want you to see the woods not just with your eyes, but with your heart and we believe our new signage will help make that possible.
Final Thoughts
At Andover Trees United, we believe that when people understand a place, they care for it more deeply. And when they care, they act. That’s why this signage matters so much to us. It’s not the end of a journey - it’s the start of a new way of sharing it.
So next time you walk through Harmony Woods and see a new sign, take a moment. Read it slowly. Let it speak to you.
Because this is not just a sign. It’s an invitation.
Want to help? Share this blog, follow our campaign on social media, or volunteer with us to protect habitats year-round.