Save our Forest Petition

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I've had a look and can't see any other threads with this. Also, if it's against forum rules, I apologise and please remove the thread.
Saw this briefly on the news this morning and someone has just e-mailed me the link.

For those interested, please sign the petition. For those not interested, well, just ignore it. :)

Thanks
L

http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/save-our-forests#petition

(PS, my internet connection is pants here at work, so someone may have done this the time I'm trying)
 
I was interested so I signed it :)
Thanks for posting the link
 
:thumbs: Duly signed!
 
yup, signed here too
 
Signed and the link passed on to friends.
 
If these forests are owned by the public, how come this government are being allowed to sell them off:shrug:


Mick
 
Signed
Thanks for the link


Sleepydawg said:
If these forests are owned by the public, how come this government are being allowed to sell them off:shrug:
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Because they can and they can because they will shut there eyes and cover there ears to this petition and all over petitions.



G
 
Sleepydawg - same way they managed to sell Loyds Bank and the National Rail service?

Thanks for sharing, but i signed before it hit 30k ;)
 
Thanks for posting the link.

I've not been worried by previous public asset sales, but the idea of selling our forests to the private sector really disturbs me - the goals and objectives of the private sector are a long way from compatible with what is best for our forests.

Let's hope this sale is defeated.

Chris
 
I'm struggling to think of anything that has improved after being sold off.

If we as a country are really this broke maybe we should give less in foreign aid.

Duly signed and posted to facebook...
 
Foxbat Flyer said:
.... the idea of selling our forests to the private sector really disturbs me - the goals and objectives of the private sector are a long way from compatible with what is best for our forests.

Let's hope this sale is defeated.

Chris
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Well said Chris. It's an insane idea - whoever dreamt it up should be booted out pronto.
 
Just adding my support to this petition (I've already signed) and imploring everybody to support it *and* pass it on to everybody you know.

If large tracts of some of our most beautiful places get sold off into private or "charitable" hands they are likely to become fenced off or worse still, developed. Here in the New Forest the practice of commoning (allowing ponies, cattle and pigs to roam freely in the forest) is already on a knife edge of economic sustainability. If this ancient way of life got squeezed out the forest would become overrun with invasive gorse and bracken, destroying wildlife and beautiful scenery.

Apart from anything else, you'd get very cheesed off togging gorse and bracken, so please act now to help to save these special places. :)

Jean
 
The government is planning a massive sell off of our national forests. They could be auctioned and fenced off, run down, logged or turned into golf courses and holiday villages.

We can't let that happen. We need to stop these plans. National treasures like the The Forest of Dean, Sherwood Forest and The New Forest could be sold off. Once they are gone, they will be lost forever.
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What a crock of xxxx.

That petition is less accurate than an article in the Sunday Sport!
 
Whilst the petition is admirable it's far better to take the time and reply to the public consultation document - http://www.forestry.gov.uk/england-pfeconsultation

We've just been through a similar consultation process at work (which is countryside related) and the weight of public opinion received via the 'official' channels has managed to save us. These responses, although far less in number, have carried far more weight in the eyes of the decision makers than any ad-hoc petition where you can sign it with literally '3 mouse clicks'.

If you read the consultation it's not as bleak as the petition supports make out (although still a matter of concern), and you will have chance to voice your opinion on various individual aspects of the proposals.. rather than a blanket "NAY!!" as you would in the petition.

Sign the petition by all means (please do!), but do take time to go down the official route too.
 
Big Andy said:
:plusone:
Who said the gov have made a good job of looking after the forests. Most are just thousands of acres of mono culture and virtualy usless to native wildlife which actual need native trees not foriegn imports.
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I'm sure you're right about the mono-culture of our forests Andy, my concern is that it would be even worse if the private sector takes ownership of our forests and woodlands. The private sector (quite rightly) is focussed on making a profit, everything else is secondary, regardless of the fine corporate words spoken by the board members.

So, with the number one objective being profit, I struggle to imagine how that could be good for our forests. Where is the driver to promote diversity of woodland and wildlife species?

Chris
 
Foxbat Flyer said:
I'm sure you're right about the mono-culture of our forests Andy, my concern is that it would be even worse if the private sector takes ownership of our forests and woodlands. The private sector (quite rightly) is focussed on making a profit, everything else is secondary, regardless of the fine corporate words spoken by the board members.

So, with the number one objective being profit, I struggle to imagine how that could be good for our forests. Where is the driver to promote diversity of woodland and wildlife species?

Chris
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Tbh that's pretty much the approach that the Forestry Commission take at the moment (the profit part that is).
 
DemiLion said:
Tbh that's pretty much the approach that the Forestry Commission take at the moment (the profit part that is).
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I agree the FC use areas of woodland to derive income from logging. They also replant - the New Forest has benefited from areas cleared of monoculture fir trees and replanting of native and broadleaved trees. They are also preserving areas of moor- and wet-lands which are the habitats of many endangered native reptiles, birds and insects. Active management has helped to create habitats to enable them to survive and thrive.

Nothing is ever perfect, but with the relaxing of planning rules I would be very worried about any sell-off of forest land. I'm not suggesting high rise blocks would go up overnight, but even charitable organisations have to balance their books.

The village where I live has suffered from creeping 'urbanisation' over the last few years - infill building, micro management of traffic, paint on the roads and dragons' teeth (little wooden posts) everywhere. Just small things in themselves but the whole character of the village is changing and will probably continue to do so. The possibility that this kind of activity could spread beyond the village is scary.

Thanks Ffoeg for the heads up and good advice on the public consultation. It's a great way to get our worries heard. :)

Jean
 
Big Andy said:
:plusone:
Who said the gov have made a good job of looking after the forests. Most are just thousands of acres of mono culture and virtualy usless to native wildlife which actual need native trees not foriegn imports.
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At least at present we have the right to access and observe this 'monoculture'.
Without malice, I suggest the comments suggest a naivety of the work done by the FC. Without profiting to aid the sustenance of forests, the additional financial burden would provide the government with more ammunition for the sale.
My local forest (Delamere) has seen great moves to improve public access, in regeneration of indigenous flora and fauna and skilfull management.:clap:
 
All this 'what about public access?' happens when the water companies were sold off, and there were massive concerns about the loss of access to the reservoirs and woodland surrounding them... balh, blah, blah

Preservation of access/recreational rights were written into the legislation, and things actually got better after the privatisation - I know... I spend 9 happy years working on United Utilities land, as a ranger.

And we won an award for balancing Water Gathering, Forestry, Conservation and Recreation - Which I don't thnk we would have won if we had still been a public body

jeangenie said:
Thanks Ffoeg for the heads up and good advice on the public consultation. It's a great way to get our worries heard. :)
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Tis a pleasure :)
 
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