Menu
Thu, 28 March 2024

Newsletter sign-up

Subscribe now
The House Live All
Health
Mission possible: Delivering tomorrow’s homes today Partner content
Economy
How data can lead to better health equity Partner content
By MSD
Health
Press releases
By BAE Systems Plc

Retaining public support for forests is 'vital'

Woodland Trust | Woodland Trust

3 min read Partner content

A Westminster seminar has debated the benefits of woodland expansion and the need to "create a long-term vision for forests."

Following on from the launch of 'The State of the UK’s forests, woods and trees', the Woodland Trust hosted a panel discussion on Thursday afternoon attended by representatives from across the forestry and conservation sectors.

Speaking at the seminar, Sue Holden, the Trust's chief executive emphasised the "exciting time for forestry" that the UK was experiencing.

She discussed the collaborative nature of the report and highlighted that "collaboration does work."

Holden went on to highlight the three key themes of the report- the importance of increasing woodland cover, the threat of pests and the need to maintain public support for forests.

She said: "The report demonstrates how vital it is to maintain public support for forests and trees. Last year, with the furore over the sale of the public forest estate, we managed to get 100,000 signatories on our petition to oppose the sale. The public is very interested in forestry and it is important to retain their support."

Following on from Holden was Dominic Driver the Forestry Commission’s head of woodland expansion and national expertise,

Noting that a 25 per cent government cut to Forestry Commission funds ensured the need for wide-scale reform of the body, Driver outlined the Commission's move towards operating as an enabler for woodland and forestry groups.

He said: "Due to a variety of factors, including cuts to funding, it is a necessity for the Commission to move from being a doing organisation to an enabling organisation. We must provide entities with the resources that they require to carry out the actions they need to succeed."

And Driver, urged the seminar's attendees to assist the Commission in determining it’s priorities for the future.

Also speaking at the session, hosted at One Queen Anne's Gate in Westminster, was Caroline Julian of Respublica and Nerys Jones, former chief Executive of the National Urban Forestry Unit, who outlined the benefits of urban forests.

She said: "Forests foster a sense of pride in locality and have numerous health and wellbeing benefits. There is also significant evidence that greener areas result in less crime."

And Julian, a senior researcher at Respublica, noted that the "benefits of woodland and forests are substantial."

Following the speeches, the seminar branched out into a broader discussion with issues addressed including the need for the forestry sector to adopt and promote a shared message and concerns over the future of forest ownership.

Taking up Driver's earlier challenge to assist the Forestry Commission in setting its priorities, attendees called for the Commission to focus on its role as regulator, to serve as the source of knowledge and information within the sector and to continue to develop its enabling function.

PoliticsHome Newsletters

Get the inside track on what MPs and Peers are talking about. Sign up to The House's morning email for the latest insight and reaction from Parliamentarians, policy-makers and organisations.

Read the most recent article written by Woodland Trust - Woodland Trust welcomes Budget Nature for Climate Fund investment

Podcast
Engineering a Better World

The Engineering a Better World podcast series from The House magazine and the IET is back for series two! New host Jonn Elledge discusses with parliamentarians and industry experts how technology and engineering can provide policy solutions to our changing world.

NEW SERIES - Listen now

Partner content
Connecting Communities

Connecting Communities is an initiative aimed at empowering and strengthening community ties across the UK. Launched in partnership with The National Lottery, it aims to promote dialogue and support Parliamentarians working to nurture a more connected society.

Find out more