Boardwalk Design & Build
Keystone Specialist Service
We bring green spaces to life with expertly crafted infrastructure, including boardwalks, pathways, bridges, outdoor classrooms, and wildlife observation hides, allowing safe access to even the most fragile environments like wetlands and marshes.
Our commitment to sustainable design ensures we balance accessibility with environmental sensitivity, protecting delicate ecosystems while encouraging visitors to connect with and learn from nature.
The complete package
Working alongside our ecological consultancy team, the Habitats department enable Keystone to provide the complete package for clients across all sectors.
Our team of qualified, experienced professionals provide advice and implement bespoke solutions on time, on budget and with compliance to the highest level.
Ecosystem Restoration, Habitat Creation & Enhancement
Ecosystem restoration and habitat creation (including BNG) involve the regeneration or establishment of new areas for biodiversity.
Ecosystem Restoration, Habitat Creation & Enhancement
Ecosystem restoration and habitat creation (including BNG) involve the regeneration or establishment of new areas for biodiversity.
- Ecosystem restoration is the process of repairing degraded or destroyed ecosystems, so that ecosystems and biological communities are able to function optimally.
- Habitat creation and enhancement is the construction of habitats at localities where systems of that type did not exist previously or the improvement of a habitat through targeted interventions.
- With few exceptions Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is now a requirement for developments in the UK. The aim is to make sure that habitats are left in a measurably better state than they were before the development.
- Our Habitats Department designs and implements bespoke solutions, restoring, rehabilitating, and creating thriving habitats for wildlife. From landscape-scale habitat restoration and creation to the enhancement of existing environments, our ecologically focussed team will work with you to ensure the best outcome.
Habitat Management
Sensitive management of habitats in the correct way ensures that they continue to thrive, enhancing rather than deteriorating their biodiversity.
Habitat Management
Sensitive management of habitats in the correct way ensures that they continue to thrive, enhancing rather than deteriorating their biodiversity.
- When working in sensitive environments, a good understanding can be the difference between causing damage and providing a benefit.
- Our ecologically trained team work with specialist equipment and in close collaboration with our ecology team to provide the very best approach to management of these sensitive habitats.
Habitat Translocation
Whether the movement of individual species or functioning habitat, habitat translocation can be used for conservation, enhancement or compensation against loss elsewhere.
Habitat Translocation
Whether the movement of individual species such as coppice stools, or functioning habitat such as grassland, habitat translocation can be used for conservation, enhancement or compensation against loss elsewhere.
- Whilst not an appropriate replacement for in situ conservation; translocation, if done correctly, can aid the overall conservation of habitats on a scheme.
- Keystone work closely with our clients to achieve the best outcomes in the translocation of habitats. Ensuring that preparation, handling and maintenance are carried out correctly.
Wetland Creation
Wetland environments provide important connectivity between terrestrial and aquatic habitats and are amongst the most ecologically abundant areas on earth.
Wetland Creation
Wetland environments provide important connectivity between terrestrial and aquatic habitats and are amongst the most ecologically abundant areas on earth.
- Wetlands can contribute to flood attenuation, water cleansing and carbon storage.
- Whether they be artificial or natural, wetlands provide significant benefits for biodiversity. Careful planning and implementation is key to ensuring that restoration and enhancement.
- Keystone has a wealth of experience in building successful, high functioning wetland habitats.
Boardwalks and Green Infrastructure
We expertly craft boardwalks, pathways, bridges, outdoor classrooms, and wildlife observation hides, to allow access to even the most fragile environments like wetlands and marshes.
Boardwalks and Green Infrastructure
The benefits of green spaces are well known, from boosting mental well-being and physical health to fostering environmental awareness. At Keystone, we bring these spaces to life with expertly crafted infrastructure, including boardwalks, pathways, bridges, outdoor classrooms, and wildlife observation hides, allowing safe access to even the most fragile environments like wetlands and marshes.
Each structure is designed to balance accessibility with environmental sensitivity, protecting delicate ecosystems while encouraging visitors to connect with and learn from nature.
Our commitment to sustainable design ensures every project meets the highest standards of durability and environmental responsibility, incorporating recycled and eco-friendly materials wherever possible. By blending functionality with aesthetic appeal, we create infrastructure that enriches visitor experiences and promotes long-term ecological stewardship.
- Boardwalks provide protection to natural spaces by providing an elevated route through sensitive habitats, lessening the impacts of footfall such as erosion.
- Wildlife observation hides provide a location where wildlife can be viewed without being unnecessarily disturbed.
- They also enable easy access and comfortable views of wildlife for visitors and a more manageable visitor movement for land managers, particularly when combined with boardwalks and footpaths.
Learn more about our award-winning boardwalk by reading Thursley National Nature Reserve Boardwalk Case Study
Vegetation Management
When preparing sites for development, areas will often need to be cleared of vegetation to permit planned works to be undertaken safely.
Vegetation Management
When preparing sites for development, areas will often need to be cleared of vegetation to permit planned works to be undertaken safely.
- The procedure followed will depend upon the outcomes desired. Prior to commencing vegetation clearance it is important to consider site constraints such as ground conditions, terrain, on and off-site hazards and ecology.
- Keystone work closely with clients, applying our long standing experience, specialist equipment and an efficient approach to the management of vegetation on sites for both site clearance and re-establishment of access.
- Often working with our Ecology Department, we apply the best methods to ensure efficient clearance whilst providing peace of mind through high compliance and the application of industry best practice.
- Methods of work vary based upon the task and range; from hand clearance with brushcutters and chainsaws to large scale mechanised clearance, and from access to dangerous areas with our robotic tool carriers to careful chemical control of invasives.
- With Keystone you are assured of an efficient, safe and accurate approach.
Protected Species Mitigation
As legislation evolves, measures are needed to prevent harm to protected species on sites where impacts of development are unavoidable.
Protected Species Mitigation
As legislation evolves, measures are needed to prevent harm to protected species on sites where impacts of development are unavoidable.
- Often combined with habitat creation or enhancement activities, trapping and translocation is still utilised to ensure that significant local populations are safeguarded.
- Keystone’s experience and professional approach ensures that the right outcomes are reached. Our specialist contractors and bespoke equipment provide a cost effective and efficient service.
- Working with our Ecology Department, we can ensure that legislation is met, the right solution is provided and the job is done right first time.
- Keystone pride themselves in being able to provide bespoke ecological solutions, often pooling knowledge and working with the client to pioneer new designs and solutions which ensure the best outcome for the project and the intended species.
Stock & Specialist Fencing
Specialist fencing can provide a solution for exclusion, trapping, protection and demarcation on site.
Stock & Specialist Fencing
Whilst often forming an important part of protected species mitigation, specialist fencing can provide a solution for exclusion, trapping, protection and demarcation on site.
- Keystone apply our considerable expertise as fencing contractors to ensure the right fence for the application is specified from the outset, providing bespoke solutions where required.
- Our continued investment in specialist equipment enables us to meet clients’ large-scale specific fencing requirements, efficiently and alongside other services.
- We ensure that works are completed on site and on budget, whilst maintaining the highest quality of installs.
Habitats Case Studies
Thursley National Nature Reserve
Designed and constructed by Keystone,Thursley’s boardwalk is winner of The Rambler’s ‘Britain’s Favourite Footpath 2024’.
