The Importance Of Trees

The worlds forests have been audited at regular intervals since 1946. The 5 most forest rich areas of the world are, Russian Federation, Brazil,Canada, USA and China.

18% of forest in England is owned by the UK Government in 2011. The government decided against selling them off as part of its spending cuts policy. Famous celebrities including, Annie Lennox, artist Tracey Emin, model Lily Cole, former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, actor Richard E Grant and designer Dame Vivienne Westwood all petitioned the government to reconsider this short sighted decision through the Save England's Forests campaign

The realisation that such a decision lacks profound insight into the systemic benefits of state owned forests for the general public was underscored when the Prime Minister announced a climb down in 2011. Dame Judi Dench and The Archbishop of Canterbury also signed the petition which said.

""Our forests nurture countless species of native plants and wildlife. We have relied on them since time immemorial yet we are only a heartbeat in their history."

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Tucked away in the UK Midlands in Smisby near Asby de la Zouch the Bluebell Nursery is a little gem. I would strongly recommend a visit. If you can't get there then maybe a visit to their Facebook page Bluebell Nursery and Arborteum would be worth it or click on the logo to go to their main site.

There are some amazing and rare specimens and the knowledge and reputation of the owner and his family is unsurpassed.

The UK's Woodland Trust aims to involve people in planting native tree species. They save and protect woodlands for future generations and the habitats of the wild animals that depend on them.

It was founded in Devon, England in 1972. Today it is based at Autumn Park on Dysart Road in Grantham. the Woodland trust has 194,000 members and is supported by celebrities and actors such as Sean Bean

One thing that is really impressive is the work that the Woodland Trust do in the 'digital space'. For those of us who use the internet to get information about causes and environmental issues the social media and networking people at the Woodland Trust really know a thing or too about to engaging people with what they do.

This site contains a huge quantity of educational resources for teachers looking to include woodland and ecology into their class activities. Check out the Nature Detectives section, its brilliant! There is also an excellent Ancient Trees programme too.

The UK's Forestry Commission is a leading forest and woodland management agency. This is what they have to say about themselves:

"Our forests and woods can contribute so much to our nation. We deliver practical programmes to make sure that, as communities and individuals, we can get the most from them. We are constantly looking for ways to share our knowledge, plan activities and develop new initiatives to provide benefits for the economy and for our health and wellbeing.

We work with a whole range of partners from private sector landowners to sports clubs, local communities to national businesses, on a whole host of recreation, regeneration and educational schemes. Our responsibilities span research, commercial timber production, sustainability programmes and policy, as well as learning and leisure.

Our goal is always to ensure that, at a practical level, Britain can use its forests to contribute positively to as many of the nation's needs as we can while sustaining this great resource for the future.

The Royal Forestry Society Here's what they have to say about themselves:

"We are dedicated to the wise management of trees and woodlands,and to increasing people's understanding of forestry. On this site you can find out about all aspects of our work including:

Forestry education
Training and qualifications in arboriculture
Study tours and woodland meetings
Quarterly Journal of Forestry
Bursaries and sponsorships

Founded by Congress in 1991, the National Forest Foundation works with the U.S. Forest Service to care for these natural treasures for the millions of visitors they receive each year and for you, and those who come after you.


National Forest Foundation - become a friend

We are at the 11th Hour By seeing the planet as an endless self-replenishing resource that can used without any consideration of the consequence we are threatening the very survival of mankind.

Deforestation is inextricably linked to global warming, and species extinction. Removal of vast tracts of forest and woodland is effectively destroying the 'lungs' of the planet.

So are you a Cowboy or an Astronaut? do you exploit or sustain?