There’s something that touches the soul when walking through an ancient wood.
(S.J., Cambs)
Without the guarantees we are calling for ancient woodland will continue to be at risk.
Existing protection measures do not ensure these precious and fragile woods are safe, even in public hands.
Plus, there are no mechanisms in place to guarantee restoration would take place if these sites are sold.
We need to stop the rot that's taken hold in current woodland protection channels.
Our Woods under Threat (WuT) work is specifically around protecting ancient woodland and ancient trees. In the last ten years we have fought 850 cases of ancient woods at risk.
The Government's recent proposals to sell the forest estate cast a harsh spotlight on the serious protection loopholes we find all the time that affect all woods, especially vulnerable and ancient woods.
Ancient woodland protection - the facts.
Right now there are over 400 ancient woods covering over 10,000 hectares throughout the UK which are subject to a current planning application that could physically damage or fragment them, or even destroy them entirely.
Restoration would be one of the most significant contributions to wildlife conservation in a generation.
Planted Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) are former ancient broadleaf woods scarred by conifers planted in the drive for timber during the last century.
Ancient woodland restoration - why bother?
Restoration obligations must be honoured in order to ensure the true conservation potential of biodiversity hot-spots can be reached in time.
Want more?
Watch our latest short film about planted ancient woodland and what's at risk.
Plans to sell forest estate abandoned! Our response.
Independent Panel announced - read our challenge.