Make you voice heard - save our forests...

Defra has started the consultation period (it runs to 21st April 2011) on the Government's plans to sell off our forests.

Why not tell them what you think ? http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/forests/index.htm ....

oh yes, by the way its the UN's International Year of the Forests .. who says the government does not have a sense of humour!

You can still support 360degree campaign - This Wednesday there is a crunch vote in Parliament. MPs will vote on a motion demanding a rethink of plans to sell our national forests.

If enough of us contact our MPs now, we've got a real chance of winning this vote! So let’s make sure MPs are getting thousands of messages with one very clear request: vote to save our forests this Wednesday.

It's quick and easy to email your MP, click here to send them a message:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/tell-your-mp-to-save-our-forests

Kent woods under threat in sell off ?

The United Nations has declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests,

It has invited governments, organisations and individuals to do all they can to raise public awareness of the key role of forests and sustainable forest management in building a greener, more equitable and sustainable future.

How ironic when our Government plans to sell off as much as 150,000 hectares of forest and woodland in England in the biggest sale of public land for nearly 60 years.

Local Woods and Forests that could be under threat in Kent are Clowes Wood, part of The Blean near Canterbury, Kings Wood near Challock and Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest near Cranbrook.

The Forestry Commission has done an excellent job in recent years in making woodlands much more accessible to all of us; whether we are walkers, mountain bikers, wheelchair users or horse-riders. Currently all Forestry Commission land is managed to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards - well above the standards required by law. Higher standards of stewardship mean that even those publicly owned woodlands that deliver substantial profits for the taxpayer through timber are also havens for wildlife. This would not be compulsory with privately owned forests. New owners could fence our forests and would not be required to maintain access paths as they do now. 

If you wish to protect our woods and forests for future generations write to your local MP and sign the on-line petition at www.38degrees.org.uk

380 degrees petition against the Forest Sell off

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.

A huge petition will force the government to rethink its plans. If we can prove how strongly the public are against this, they will have to back down. Please sign the petition now.

Find out more: Visit the save our forests action centre to find out more about the forest sell off and download campaign leaflets and posters.