The Trust is concerned about the impact of development on trees and woods that are not only ecologically rich, but also focal parts of a community. We need your help to be able to take action.
What are we asking you to do?
We want to help you to protect the trees and woods that are important to you, your family, your WI group and your local community.
Head out as a WI group to have a look at the woods and trees near you – you never know what gems you might discover!
Once you know where your local woods and trees are, there are lots of ways that you and your group can get involved. Depending on how much time you have to spare or what you are interested in we can find something that works for you and the trees.
Activities range from writing letters of objection for planning applications that impact on woodland or helping publicise threats locally or giving specialist advice. Whatever skills you have there will be something that you can help out with.
Why do we care?
Woods and trees outside of woods are essential to life. They have a myriad of different benefits for both wildlife and people.
They stabilise the soil, generate oxygen, store carbon, play host to a spectacular variety of wildlife, provide us with raw materials and shelter, inspire our imaginations and our creativity.
As well as being good for wildlife they are good for us humans too! The almost magical, mystical quality of woods makes them a great place for relaxation and recreation. A walk in the woods can give anyone a feeling of peace and tranquility. Most of us have fond childhood memories of playing on or around trees and want our children and grandchildren to be able to have similar memories.
Did you know?
- The UK is one of the least wooded places in Europe. Only 12 per cent of the UK is woodland, compared to an average of 44 per cent in other parts of Europe.
- Ancient woodland now accounts for only around 2% of the UK’s land use - protecting it is vital.
- The UK has the largest concentration of ancient trees in Northern Europe, we have a responsibility to protect them.
Sadly not everyone shares our view of woods and trees and understands how essential they are to the functioning to life. Wood and trees often come in second place to new roads, housing, golf courses and other development.
This is why we need your help.
WoodWatch unites communities together across the UK under one campaign profile that is recognised for empowering local people to take action,when the woods and trees they care about are placed at risk from development.
Working with WoodWatch gives you access to lots of Woodland Trust resources. In our experience, a local community group leading a campaign to save woodland is the most effective way to fight a threat. Local authorities are often more open to listening to the voice of their own communities, backed by a national organisation like the Woodland Trust, rather than an organisation acting alone.
You are more powerful than we are!
Even if you're fortunate at present not to have any woods or trees that are under threat locally, you can still make a difference today:
- We need people that would be available to write letters of objections for high profile applications that result in a large area of woodland loss.
- Maybe you know about the planning system, could offer legal advice or are an expert in communications.
- You could motivate and support our other community groups who are trying to protect their trees and woods.
- Or if you're happy to add your name to a petition, we just need to know who you are...
If you think that your WI group can help us out then please contact Alice Farr to find out more.
Email: WoodWatch@woodlandtrust.org.uk Tel: 0845 293 5580