What Would Your Life Look Like Without Our Forests?

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It is fair to say that I have been feeling more than a little raah! For this blog post I am looking at the fact that our ‘lovely’ government (I hope you note the intended sarcasm) has decided to sell 15% of woodland / forests owned by the Forestry Commission to private individuals and companies, including foreign businesses. It doesn’t stop there either, Defra are also currently looking at selling the other 85%.

The Forestry commission owns 1000 woods including – The beautiful New Forest in Hampshire, and the much publicised Forest Of Dean in Gloucestershire, as well as many others.

The Conservative Party states in their Environment policy –

‘We will introduce measures to protect wildlife and promote green spaces and wildlife corridors in order to halt the loss of habitats and restore biodiversity’

The Liberal Democrats state in their Natural Environment policy –

‘We believe that the countryside is a valuable resource which must be protected both for the benefit of those who live there and of the nation as a whole, who should be able to enjoy what it has to offer.’

Question?

How can the protection of wildlife and green spaces possibly be implemented if the woodland and forest sale goes ahead, to private individuals and businesses? Yes we may be fortunate that some environmental charities may choose to purchase them, but with all the massive cuts taking place, many charities will be unable to afford to buy them.

I personally wouldn’t want foreign businesses buying our forests; surely we have to keep something that belongs to our country! What’s to stop businesses turning them into theme parks, using the natural resources to their own ends, not taking appropriate measures to protect the valuable wildlife…?

I have heard interviews with various spokesmen supporting this initiative, commenting that destruction of the forests would be prevented; I just don’t feel this goes far enough.

Under the Countryside and Rights Of Way Act 2000 it gives us the right to access and freely walk on mapped out areas of countryside such as moor, heath, and registered common land … The act also allows landowners, to restrict or exclude access. The CRoW Act has certain requirements that must be observed if the forest / woodland was sold, but it is important to note that there is no emphasis at this time that the woodland / forest must be maintained appropriately for walks, car parks or to improve or maintain access.

There are many social benefits having access to green spaces such as woodland. The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) state that ‘91 % of people say that parks and public spaces improve quality of life’.

The Woodland Standard incorporates strategies that people should be able to access woodland, near to where they live.

The New Forest means more to me than a blog post could possibly describe. I would be completely heart broken, if this wonderful forest was sold, with public access limited or worse closed to the public; though I don’t see how this would be operated, as it is a living, breathing way of life for many, who live and work there. The New Forest has been through many changes, particularly when it became a National Park in 2005, strategies, developments and ‘intended use’ of the forest has been discussed at length.

I was born in Bournemouth and quickly the New Forest became a part of me as I grew up. My mum told me stories about magical characters living in the forest; I have shared many wonderful days out there with my family to enjoy the rich splendour of this ancient forest; watching deer and birds – hoping to catch a glimpse of a barn owl swooping over the top of the trees at dusk. Walking through sunlit woodland glens, heath and streams, bearing the fruit of our seasons, is a gift that brings me and so many others, so much joy.

When I was at primary school I went on a wonderful school day out to visit a very talented New Forest oil painter Monica Coleman, who met us in the forest to encourage us to see the woodland in a different way, as we learnt to paint a scene we loved the most. It is a day I will always remember and treasure, and I want other children to experience the forest like I did.

When people describe the beauty of the United Kingdom, our woodland, meadows, heritage, geology, landscapes, and coastal scenes is what makes this country a special place to be. Tourists around the world come to visit us for these very reasons. Our ancient woodlands are not only a special habitat for our wildlife, but also speak of our great history.

If these changes take place, this government will have altered our countryside forever.

I realise that we need to take appropriate measure to reduce our deficit, but everyday all I see and hear is that cuts are being made that hurt the vulnerable and our heritage.

If like me you don’t want to loose our public woodland and forests, please take a moment to sign the Woodland Trust’s and 38 degrees Save Our Forest petitions.

According to the Forestry Commission, the cost of maintaining our treasured public woodland and forests costs the tax payer on average, just 30p each per year.

I think its 30p well spent don’t you!

Please Mr Cameron, leave our precious woodlands and forests alone.

Anita

Image © A. Hunt – Nita Joy Designs

Related articles

• Ancient woodland under threat (telegraph.co.uk)
• Letters: Forest sell-off has no debate or mandate (guardian.co.uk)
• Save our forests, say celebrities and leading figures (telegraph.co.uk)

About Anita Hunt
Anita Hunt specialises in botanical photography, and is the creator of beautiful, luxury greeting cards and gifts, inspired by the beauty of nature. You can join her on Twitter @NitaJoyDesigns and facebook. She is also a children's author and anti-bullying campaigner Are You Being Bullied?
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