Local Studies Talk on the Woodland Trust

Allan Goodison, a Volunteer with the Woodland Trust spoke about the important work the Trust does to ensure we have woods for people and wildlife to thrive in. Their work involves creating trees from seed, protecting those needing it and restoring sections of woods. We were reminded that we need trees for health and well being, for clean air, cool cities, purified water, to stop soil erosion, and for the creation of beautiful habitats. As others have said trees are our planet's lungs. Our ancient woodlands are under major threat with fewer rowan, oak and ash trees than many other European countries; tree loss started in the agrarian and industrial revolutions, continued through the Napoleonic and many other Wars, and now it is caused by infrastructure development, intensive agriculture methods, and climate change. Tree disease like Ash dieback and Dutch Elm has been devastating as has the loss of hedgerows followed by a huge decline in flora and fauna, like butterflies. Over planting of conifers has reduced ground cover and biodiverse species.

The Trust is not the only player but it is the largest wood conservation charity. Begun by a single individual, Kenneth Watkins, in 1972 at a wood in South Devon its reach has seen it planting 68 million trees, caring for 1200 woods and saving 1172 ancient woodlands. What amazing achievements. Current projects include promoting work to schools and colleges, helping landowners wanting to improve their lands (at a cost), working with Councils who own woods, and helping communities to fight proposed development of ancient woods. Finally Allan encouraged us to locate our local woods and also woods on holiday and to visit and enjoy them. Hopefully we can all do that. Allan is pictured here beforehand. Thank you very much Allan for sharing this.