Protecting trees and woods
Demand government action on climate change
Governments must act before it’s too late. We need your help to make our Emergency Tree Plan recommendations reality.
Campaign with us
Our woods and trees can't speak for themselves. Together we can stand up for the environment and safeguard the UK's woodland heritage for our future.
1,225
ancient woods threatened by development right now
2.4%
that's how little of the UK is covered by ancient woodland
1,172
woods saved with your help since 1999
Read our latest blog
Campaigns that need your support
Protecting trees and woods
The Big Climate Fightback
Help us fight for the future of the planet by donating to support tree planting.
Protecting trees and woods
Agroforestry in Wales
Let's change the way we manage our Welsh landscape to the benefit of all in Wales, and for future generations.
Protecting trees and woods
Help us save Coed Wern from destruction
Ancient woodland is under threat from a holiday park proposal in Glasinfryn, near Bangor.
HS2 rail link
HS2 is a grave threat to the UK’s ancient woods, with 108 at risk of loss or damage. We can’t let this happen.
Read the latestMore on the HS2 rail link
Blog
Campaigns update: green light for HS2 but it's not the end of the line
Charlotte Jones • 12 Feb 2020
Blog
Campaigns update: HS2 review takes centre stage
Naomi Tilley • 04 Sep 2019
Blog
Campaigns update: the latest news from HS2
Naomi Tilley • 05 Jul 2019
Protecting trees and woods
HS2 community resources
Take a look through our downloads to get up to speed with the effects of HS2.
Latest campaign successes
Protecting trees and woods
Saved: Smithy Wood
After years of campaigning, the application for a motorway service station within Smithy Wood's ancient setting has finally been withdrawn.
Protecting trees and woods
Saved: Nidd Gorge
Thanks to thousands of you speaking up, North Yorkshire County Council has ditched plans to build a road through the ancient woodland of Bilton Beck & Rudding Bottoms at Nidd Gorge.
Protecting trees and woods
Saved: ancient woods at Tirpentwys
Almost two hectares of ancient woodland have been saved from a quarry access road near Pontypool in Torfaen.
Take action where you live
Campaign in your community
Local communities taking action is the most effective way to protect woods and trees. Need help? Check out our useful resources.
Get started today
Protecting trees and woods
The Street Trees project
Street trees provide a host of benefits for people, wildlife and our urban environment. But they're under threat.
Protecting trees and woods
Tell us about a threat
Have you found a possible threat from development to an ancient wood or tree? Let us know - we could help.
Why we campaign
Trees and woods bring vast benefits to people, wildlife and the environment. Without them, life would be very different.
Ancient woodland is home to more wildlife than any other UK habitat.
But 85% of it is unprotected by government legislation.
Campaigning works
We base all of our campaigns on evidence. And we’ve proved campaigning works: we’ve saved 1,225 woods since 1972.
From signing a petition or emailing your MP to joining a demonstration walk, your voice makes us stronger.
Be the voice for woods and trees. Together, we can stand up for our precious woods and protect their future.
Catch up on ongoing campaigns
Protecting trees and woods
Our work with The Climate Coalition
We're part of The Climate Coalition, a group of organisations dedicated to limiting the impact of climate change on the people, places and life we love.
Protecting trees and woods
New reservoir threatens 14ha of Hampshire ancient woodland
A significant area of ancient woodland could be destroyed if new reservoir proposals go ahead in Hampshire.
Protecting trees and woods
Ancient woods and trees threatened by Lower Thames Crossing
Important woods, trees and wildlife are at risk from Highways England proposals to build a new tunnel linking Essex and Kent under the River Thames.
Protecting trees and woods
Councils need trees and woods to fight climate change
More than half of our local authorities have declared a climate emergency. Responding to the crisis is a huge task - but we’re here to help.
Protecting trees and woods
Oxford to Cambridge Growth Arc
We're concerned for the significant amounts of ancient woodland and ancient and veteran trees that lie inside the Arc.
Protecting trees and woods
All-Party Parliamentary Group for Woods and Trees
The APPG meets several times a year to discuss steps to protect, restore and expand woods and trees in a time of climate and nature crises
Protecting trees and woods
Sussex ancient woods and trees under threat again
Ancient woods and veteran trees face unnecessary damage and destruction if A27 Arundel bypass plans go ahead.
Protecting trees and woods
Protect urban street trees
The Government must give councils what they need to protect street trees.
Trees woods and wildlife
Tree of the Year 2020
Our national contest celebrates the trees across the UK with the most special stories.