Save the forests

Hatfield is a rare surviving example of a Medieval Royal Hunting Forest © National Trust

Hatfield is a rare surviving example of a Medieval Royal Hunting Forest

© National Trust

Latest update 06.06.2011 15:37

The Government’s proposal to withdraw from the management of England’s forests and ancient woodlands is a watershed moment in the history of the nation.

Update -17 March
The Secretary of State for the Environment has announced the membership of an independent panel to advise on the future direction of forestry and woodland policy in England. Our Director General, Dame Fiona Reynolds, is one of the members of the panel, which will report in the Autumn of 2011.

Update -17 February
Our Director General, Fiona Reynolds says 'the government's decision to abandon plans to sell UK woodland was the right decision'. Listen to what else she had to say earlier this morning on the Radio 4 today programme and tell us what you think of the news on our Facebook page.

Update -11 February
We are pleased that the Government has put the current sales on hold while it considers its approach to the wider public forest estate.

It seems as though the public message about the importance of protecting access, wildlife and public benefit is getting through.

There is still a long way to run on the forests issue and our overriding concern has to be making sure that the forests are properly safeguarded for the future.

Update - 9 February
On 9 February our Director General, Fiona Reynolds, gave a briefing to the national media updating our current position:

'We were founded 116 years ago to promote the protection of places of historic interest and natural beauty for the benefit of the nation and we are as passionate about the outdoors as we are about historic buildings.

At the Trust we were not at all surprised by the level of public concern that’s been generated over the future of these priceless assets; indeed we share many of those concerns, having had no prior warning of what would be in the consultation paper.

There are lots of questions that we don’t have answers to at this point but we’re also clear that if the Government presses ahead, we’d need to be involved in the debate.

After all, we were created by our founders to hold land and property in perpetuity on behalf of the nation, so that they could be enjoyed by everyone. And we’re specifically empowered to protect beautiful places that the public cares about.

There’s a long way to run on the forest issue, but what is clear is the nerve it has touched – about our relationship with nature and the outdoors-  and the urgent need to address the way our society is losing contact with nature.'

What has the public response been?
We have received hundreds of letters, emails and online responses to our call for public comment on the proposals. These have confirmed to us that:

  • People are largely opposed to the Government’s proposals
  • They care massively about forests – and most believe that the Forestry Commission is doing a good job