Broadleaf Editor
Broadleaf’s hottest look this season is russet fur, as we swivel our spotlight on to the countryside's wiliest predator and ultimate survivor, the red fox. We also showcase the gorgeous woods of Northern Ireland’s Faughan Valley, alive with kingfishers, red squirrels and otters – and settle in for an intimate chat with funk superstar Nile Rodgers, who’s been planting trees there with the Trust. We’re freaking out!
For the past 30 years the Trust has been rescuing ancient woods and planting new ones along the River Faughan, just 10 minutes’ drive from Derry-Londonderry. In autumn’s Big Read feature, discover:
how nine Trust woods now thread together along the valley, transforming the landscape into a lush mosaic of habitats where wildlife can flourish and people unwind
how our £7.5 million investment has underpinned a cultural shift, with farmers endorsing our approach and young people signing up to support nature
the surprises you’ll encounter when you visit, from giant willow sculptures to thought-provoking poetry. And perhaps a glimpse of a pine marten or red deer!
We unearth the survival secrets of the UK's most charismatic mammal and discover why broadcaster Chris Packham favours the red fox above all other creatures. In our Nature Focus feature, we unpick:
why healthy mature woodland, with its fallen trunks, open glades and abundant berries, will always trump life in town for this adaptable animal
how folklore has feted the fox for its stealth and cunning, and celebrated the species as a friend of the downtrodden
the benefits foxes bring to the wider woodland ecosystem – and the story of the plucky vixen who fended for her cubs against all odds.
Our news pages are chock-full of autumn booty, from the ancient ash that survived a lightning strike to the young volunteers fighting wildfires across our estate. Plus:
Chic legend Nile Rodgers tells us how sitting beneath a 1,000-year-old oak in Lincolnshire made him feel more like an artist, and why he wants to write a song about swifts
an autumn walk in Wales's largest ancient forest, where pine martens frolic among colourful broadleaf woods restored from conifer plantations
a tribute to Sherwood's mighty Major Oak, as we sift through the valuable scientific lessons we’ve learnt from its life – and its loss.
All this and more in the latest edition of Broadleaf, now available in print and digital, both free to members of the Woodland Trust.
Broadleaf is our magazine exclusive to Trust members. Its inspirational writing and stunning photography tell the inside story of how we, our members, volunteers and partners stand up for trees. To receive your regular copy, become a member now.
There's no better way to support us than by becoming a member. Together we can keep living history safe, plant the trees we all need, and keep woods open for everyone to enjoy.
Protect what you love
