Management of Existing UK Woodlands: An Opportunity for Green Prosperity
Today (Friday 4 August) we published a joint position paper with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) that calls on governments and agencies across the UK to bring about an urgent step change in the sustainable management of existing woodlands. Our organisations jointly represent the full breadth and depth of professional expertise in forestry, ecology and environmental management.
For decades there has been failure of policy to increase the proportion of woodland under active management. Woodland creation has been the too-narrow focus of policy in recent years, with existing woodlands remaining a huge, missed opportunity. We need all types of woodland, recognising that some are better for biodiversity, some for producing essential timber and wood products, and others for recreation and wellbeing.
All the benefits that woodlands provide – for biodiversity, recreation, timber, flood alleviation, health and wellbeing, soil health, carbon sequestration, cooling cities, resilience to climate change, reducing air pollution, shelter for livestock, food production – are delivered much more effectively when the woodland is appropriately managed.
Posted On: 07/08/2023
More on: