A method of site preparation in environmentally sensitive areas. A first step involves determining boundaries of a site. A second step involves removing obstacles, if any, from within the boundaries of the site. A third step involves laying a layer of interlocking wood fibre on the site. A fourth step involves packing down the layer to form a cohesive ground cover mat. The steps of laying a layer of interlocking wood fibre on the site and packing down the layer is repeated to increase a thickness of the cohesive ground cover mat, until a hard packed base of at least six inches in depth has been formed.