All-new discussion space gets our Facebook fans talking!

Exploring what social networking sites have to offer has been an interesting way for us to reach new and different audiences with our campaign messages. At this stage, our new media of choice is Facebook. And as our pages speed towards almost 1,000 ‘friends’ between them, we are seeing more interaction from people who care about woods and trees, or are worried about the woods in their neighbourhoods.

Our WoodWatch Facebook page can be an especially useful tool for spreading the word quickly about your campaign or for asking other people what they know about an issue you have heard about. It can be great for targeting specific geographical areas of the UK with messages about local woods at risk and sharing photos and videos of your activities.

There are 3 different ways you can talk to the Campaigns team on Facebook:

1. Become a fan of our Campaigns page – for updates and actions you can take to support the Trust’s campaigning work to protect the UK’s woods and trees;
2. Join us as a fan on our WoodWatch page – to meet other WoodWatchers, share experiences and promote your local campaigns;
3. Make friends with Oak Tree – the world’s first ‘twittering’ tree, now newly on Facebook and looking for some pals!

Our new WoodWatch discussion boards have brought up topics such as trees alongside railways, funghi decline and local woods under threat issues… What do you want to talk about?

Join us!
Are you on facebook already? Search for these usernames below and choose ‘become a fan’ to add us to your friends and group pages.

If you, like Oak Tree, are new to Facebook simply visit this link below and create a short profile:

http://www.facebook.com/

Then go get some friends! Search for the usernames below (or click the text to go straight to each page)     

woodlandtrustcampaigns    

woodwatch

twitteringtree

 

Pushing woodland creation onto the political landscape

Peter Luff MP, Huw Irranca-Davies MP Forestry Minister, Sue Holden Trust CEO and Clive Anderson

Before Parliament closed for the summer recess Peter Luff MP hosted a reception on behalf of the Woodland Trust celebrating woodland creation in the UK. A film of the day is now available for you to view.

During the reception the Trust launched its woodland creation manifesto and the Forestry Minister Huw Irranca-Davies MP dropped in to announce that the Government’s Low Carbon Transition Plan supports a drive to create 10, 000 hectares of woodland per annum for 15 years to remove 50 millions tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2050.

Let us hope we can build on this great start. It now needs political will, money – both public and private – land, and public enthusiasm. By working together in partnership we can make it happen and push woodland creation onto the political landscape.

Ancient woodland is on tour!

In the last decade 100 square miles (26,000 hectares) of ancient woodland in the UK has come under threat from destruction or degradation, equivalent to an area the size of Birmingham.  At over 400 years old ancient woodland is our equivalent to the rainforest, so you’d think it was considered to be as precious: yet every week our team learns of yet another threat.  The ‘Ancient Woodland Farewell Tour’ aims to highlight the serious loss of ancient woodland that we are still experiencing across the UK. 

Forced from their home by plans for a second runway at Stansted, the ‘trees’ of ancient Philipland Wood have taken to the streets in despair.  They have been travelling around the country to find a safe wood to live in… only to find woods are under threat everywhere they go!  

Have you seen this tree?

Our trees realise they urgently need help to protect today’s woods from a similar dreadful fate.  They will be talking to all the new friends they meet on their travels and asking them to be ‘WoodWatchers’ – WoodWatchers are people who keep an eye out for their local woods and trees and are ready to take action to protect them when they are threatened: think neighbourhood watch… only for woods and trees.  In fact, think neighbourWood Watch!

As the UK’s most valuable space for wildlife, ancient woodland is home to more rare and threatened species than any other UK habitat and is truly irreplaceable… If you love trees as much as we do then then you can be a WoodWatcher too – sign up on Facebook and find out more our website.

Government’s low carbon plan is a step forward for woodland creation

Some good news to report from the government’s low carbon plans!

 The importance of creating  new woodland has taken a step forward in public policy terms in England this week – yesterday (Wed 15 July) the Government launched their Low Carbon Transition Plan which details Government plans to reduce our carbon emissions.  In it there is a very positive section about woodland creation which is a real shift in emphasis compared with other statements about woodland creation in England made over the past 2-3 years.

In summary, the woodland section in the Plan says that woodland creation is a cost effective way of tackling climate change, that it also provides a raft of other benefits, and that if we achieved 10,000 ha per annum of new planting 50 million tonnes of carbon could be stored. By not planting more woods our ability to store carbon will fall.  Private finance is seen as the way forward in accelerating woodland creation – no surprise that government money won’t be forthcoming but our newly launched Woodland Carbon product is the perfect way to engage companies in generating such funds.

Enjoying one of our woodland creation sites at Londonthorpe Wood. Photo: WTPL/Fiona Granger.

What was particularly exciting for us was that the plan was launched on the same day that we held a major woodland creation reception at Westminster, kindly hosted by Peter Luff MP!  

Of course this is but one step forward on the road to achieving our ambitions but this announcement signals a shift in the way woodland creation is perceived in England and can only help us in our advocacy, fundraising and outreach work.  While we can’t  claim direct credit for this timely Government announcement I’d like to think that our constant engagement with FC on woodland creation over the past 3-5 years had some effect and this government document represents a slightly unexpected but nonetheless visible outcome of our attempts over many years to have woodland creation taken far more seriously.

Share your views with the Forestry Commission

A 3-month consultation has been launched this week by the Forestry Commission (the government department for forestry in Great Britain which regulates forest management) and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (DARD) Forest Service (which promotes sustainable economic growth and the development of the countryside in Northern Ireland) on the revision of the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS).

The Forestry Commission describes the UKFS as ‘a statement of the UK’s approach to sustainable forest management, (which) sets out the environmental and other standards that forest management practices must achieve.  It aims to ensure that forestry work complies with existing legal requirements such as those for preventing pollution and conserving soil, water, wildlife and cultural heritage features. It also sets the standard for eligibility for Forestry Commission grants, felling licences and forest planning approvals.’

This revised UKFS will for the first time address forestry’s contribution to climate change mitigation, explained in new advice on managing woodlands in a changing climate. 

There are several opportunities to input into FC consultation at the moment; one important one chance in particular where you can have your say on the role of England’s publically owned forests.  The  Woodland Trust will be adding our views to this and we will let you know how your input can back us up.  Sign up to our e-newsletter to make sure you get the latest news.

In the meantime you can find out more about the UKFS and check out the consultation papers on the FC’s website.

World leading Climate Change Bill passed

Well done Stop Climate Chaos Scotland!

Yesterday the Scottish Parliament led the world by passing the strongest climate change legislation of any industrialised nation! The message is simple: lead by example, don’t wait to be led.

Watch the BBC News coverage of the historic day

I for one can say I’m proud. In this year of the 10th anniversary of Scottish devolution, the passing of the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill is a great success for Scotland and the UK. MSPs from across the political spectrum have tackled the difficult issues before them and have sent a strong signal out ahead of the Copenhagen talks in December.

MSPs voted in favour of legislation that commits Scotland to:

• at least 80% cuts of all greenhouse gases by 2050;
• a 2020 target of at least 42% reduction in greenhouse gases;
• include the full effects of emissions from international aviation and shipping from the start;
• a strong duty on all public bodies to make a full contribution to tackling climate change; and
• strong energy efficiency measures to tackle fuel poverty and save energy.

It was a dramatic week with the Government changing its mind on the interim target in order to raise the opposition’s amendment on the reduction of greenhouse gases from a 40% cut to a 42% by 2020. That’s the kind of U-turn that they should be congratulated for – and that doesn’t happen often in politics.

The Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition, of which the Woodland Trust are members, have done an amazing job. I’ve been very impressed with the coordinated and effective lobbying we’ve carried out and want to send our thanks to all involved at SCCS for a job very well done!

Climate Change Rally in Edinburgh

We have been collecting messages from people who couldn't make it on the day to share, too.

Over 600 people turned out in front of the Scottish Parliament in the beautiful Edinburgh sunshine today. Their message to MSPs was simple; they must pass a world leading Climate Change (Scotland) Bill before Copenhagen.

The Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition rally was held just two days before the TICC Committee of the Scottish Parliament is due to publish its Stage 1 report on the Bill.  There was a great atmosphere from the crowd and over 30 MSPs turned out along with other parliamentary staff, reports and chief executives from Scotland’s leading charities and faith groups.

Representatives from all the political parties made strong speeches and the flavour was very much that action is needed now, not in the future.

The Woodland Trust Scotland is an active member of the coalition and we joined the rally to support them in commending the Scottish Government for showing leadership and committing to at least 80% cuts in greenhouse gases by 2050 in the Bill.

However, if we are to really tackle climate change, we need to act urgently so there are three main things that the Bill needs to address:

• Statutory annual reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 3% year on year starting now
• The inclusion of emissions from international aviation and shipping from the beginning
• Ensure that the action to tackle climate change takes place in Scotland and is not ‘bought in’ from overseas.

You can read more about the coalition and the policy briefings we have put together by visiting our coalition partner’s website stopclimatechaos.org.

A budget for the environment?

Under intense scrutiny the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling presented his budget today. It is welcome that the Chancellor reiterated the Government’s climate change objectives by committing to a 34 per cent cut in carbon emissions by 2020 – this is still on the low side but better than what the Government were planning earlier in the year. The Chancellor also earmarked a further £520 million of new support for off-shore wind farms and £435 million for energy saving measures.

Budget commitments should not ignore the urgent needs of our environment

Meanwhile the budget report contains some interesting detail not mentioned in the Chancellor’s statement. The Defra budget will be clipped by £381 million, including an additional £75 million on top of the savings outlined in the Pre-Budget Report delivered autumn. Whilst it is not clear what the precise implication of these cuts will be, there is a marked risk that Defra and its agencies could be starved of the funding needed to protect the natural environment.  It could also result in what is already a ‘cinderalla’ department becoming more and more marginalised in the Government machine.

The budget statement brings into focus the uncertain economic climate both domestically and internationally. However, an economic crisis should not hide the perilous position our natural environment is in: the Government concede that it will fail to meet their target to halt wildlife loss by 2010. This should be of concern to us all as the natural world provides a range of invaluable services including improved air and water quality and majestic green spaces for relaxation, reflection and recreation. One of our most valuable assets, ancient woodland, pre-dates this crisis but the demands for infrastructure continue to put pressure on this habitat. Let us hope that actions to alleviate this particular economic crisis do not come at the expense of ancient woodland and the wider environment.

A new start for Woodlands in Wales!

Wales, like England and Ireland, is one of the least wooded countries in Europe.  And if you think of all the benefits that woodland offers us – habitats for wildlife, better management of water, and opportunities for recreation as well as a supply of timber and wood fuel - then you can see that we are the poorer for it.

 

But with the publication of the new Woodlands for Wales strategy by Assembly Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones, Wales is at least one step closer to doing something about it.

 

At the launch at Carreg Cennen Castle on 27 March, Elin Jones was explicit in her message: “Woodlands and trees can make a big difference – not just to our lives but potentially to those of future generations too.” She added: “This is why this strategy sets out a bold ambition for how woodlands and trees could contribute even more if we are adventurous with our decisions now.”

Ancient woodland in the care of Coed Cadw, the Woodland Trust in Wales. Coed Cymerau Isaf, Ffestiniog

So what does the new strategy say?

• There’s an emphasis on increasing woodland cover, which is new for Wales. The strategy talks about giving priority to both new native woodland, and new mixed woodland that can deliver multiple benefits. Unlike Scotland which aims to create 10,000 ha of new woodland a year in order reach 25% woodland cover by the second half of the century, the strategy does not include a target for this. But the desired direction of travel is clear.

• There’s a commitment to restore those areas of ancient woodland in the Assembly’s ownership that were planted with non-native trees, mostly conifers, in the last century, wherever there are ancient woodland remnant features to restore.

• There’s a commitment to introduce a simplified version of the BWW woodland granted scheme. Many farmers would be interested in emulating the successful Pontbren scheme in Montgomeryshire, but are put off by the onerous paperwork and tight conditions.

• There’s a recognition of the value of woodland and trees in towns and cities, improving people’s quality of life and cooling down urban areas in summer.

Of course, these are only some headlines, there’s much more besides.  But Elin Jones and the Forestry Commission Wales should be congratulated on the new strategy. The emphasis now has to be on delivery. Coed Cadw (the Woodland Trust in Wales) is keen to help to deliver these ambitious plans, and also, if necessary, to remind people about them!

Do you agree with this strategy?  Comment and have your say here!

‘Pointless killing’ is newest fate for Welsh badgers

The contrast is as marked as the black and white stripes on a badger’s snout.  In England, badgers will be vaccinated to try and halt the spread of bovine TB.  In Wales, badgers will be killed.

** UPDATE ** (15/04/09)  The Bovine TB Advisory Group has published their final report (England only) on the work they have been involved with over the last three years (the group is winding up and passing the information onto the recently established Bovine TB Eradication Group).  The report also has an excellent Bovine TB ‘the facts’ section, aimed at overcoming much of the misunderstanding felt in this complex topic (Annex D).  **

As you might remember reading in our previous blogs on this issue, the tussle between badger protection and efforts to halt bovine TB has been long and complicated.  Hundreds of Woodland Trust supporters objected to plans to cull badgers as an attempt to halt the spread of bovine TB because the science didn’t add up, and happily last year the option of wide spread culling was dismissed in England. DEFRA has now announced that a vaccine is soon to be trialled to combat bovine TB in England. We applaud the decision to listen to this evidence, not to cull badgers, but to try vaccination instead.

Badgers are still at risk in Wales

In Wales however, the Welsh Assembley has just announced it will carry out badger culling for the same reason. Slammed by the Woodland Trust as ‘pointless killing’, this decision is made despite ten years of objective, independent and peer-reviewed research that showed badger culling is not effective in tackling this dreadful disease, and that it can in fact make matters worse.

The culling in an “intensive” pilot area in Pembrokeshire will take place alongside other measures. The announcement shows a focus on completing these trials but not on gathering evidence of their effectiveness – but it is to be hoped the plans include some way of monitoring the individual effects of each type of action, otherwise how will we know whether or not the killing of up to 1,000 badgers has made any difference?

More worrying, Welsh Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones wants to bring in “secondary legislation” to enable the cull to take place.  You can see the full announcement from Welsh Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones here. We are very concerned this might mean compulsory access for culling. Landowners like the Woodland Trust, who disagree with the cull, may be left without a choice.

Bovine TB is both financially crippling and heartbreaking for farmers. Badgers are one of our best-loved woodland mammals, and their local extinction could contravene the Bern Convention. That’s why any method used to tackle it has to be based on firm evidence, and capable of proper evaluation.