Developed by conservation charity the Woodland Trust, the charter sets out 10 guiding principles for the future of trees, woods and people.
It comes after people submitted more than 50,000 personal stories about why trees and woods matter to them.
The charter, which is backed by a coalition of more than 70 organisations, will be launched in November 2017 – 800 years after King John’s Forests Charter protected people’s rights to access forests.
The new charter sets out 10 guiding principles for why trees and woods matter to the UK in the 21st century. The principles will help conservationists and politicians develop policy and inform woodland management.
The 10 principles are:
- Nature: Thriving habitats for diverse species
- Planting: Planting for the future
- Arts & Heritage: Celebrating the cultural impacts of trees
- Utility & Livelihoods: A thriving forestry sector that delivers for the UK
- Protection: Better protection for important trees and woods
- Planning: Enhancing new developments with trees
- Health & Wellbeing: Understanding and using the natural health benefits of trees
- People & Access to trees: Access to trees for everyone
- Coping with Threats: Addressing threats to woods and trees through good management
- Environment: Strengthening landscapes with woods and trees