My 32 mile cycling adventure through London in March with 22 other Ride for Research riders, in aid of raising funds to support research into acute oak decline disease, accumulated a total of £5,500. A cheque was presented recently to scientists from Forest Research. Russell Ball’s personal account of organising theContinue Reading
Trees in the UK are facing significant threats on two major fronts. The warming climate is making new territories habitable for unwanted pests and pathogens; while our insatiable appetite for the newest or cheapest plants and woody materials, imported via global trade, is making the situation ever worse. Global tradeContinue Reading
I took part in the inaugural Ride for Research today; cycling 25 miles around London’s streets, visiting three schools along the way to plant trees with children and to raise money for tree research. We visited three London schools en route: two primary schools at Harrow and Islington, and aContinue Reading
I wrote recently that the UK had the second-lowest forest cover of any country in Europe (see post). More specifically with 12% forest cover the UK has the same forest cover as the Republic of Moldova. Ireland and the Netherlands are equally the least-wooded countries in Europe, each with 11%Continue Reading
In principle there were some good ideas in what the Government sought to achieve by reviewing the ownership of England’s forests. The Forestry Commission are a great public organisation and achieve fantastic results for a relatively small cost to the taxpayer, although we should recognise that there is also roomContinue Reading
Poll Results: 84% of visitors to my site believe that the State should own forests in England. The public consultation should ask “should we” as well as “how”.Continue Reading
Earlier today on Prime Minister’s Question Time, David Cameron was asked by Labour Leader Ed Miliband about his views on the public forest sale. Ed Miliband asked if the PM was happy about his “flagship policy on forestry”. Amidst laughs, Mr Cameron replied that the short answer was “no” addingContinue Reading
The large heritage forests are well defended but the actual frontline is the myriad of small woodlands dotted across England that will be precious only to local peopleContinue Reading
It seems that the Government is poised to climb down from the sale of the public forests of EnglandContinue Reading
The future of the Public Forest Estate in England was debated for three hours in the House of Commons on 2nd February 2011. Here’s a simple link to the official record of the relevant section of the debate.Continue Reading
With interest high in public vs private ownership of forests, how does England’s proportion of forests in public ownership compare with other countries?Continue Reading
Today, Defra published the long-awaited consultation document regarding the proposed sale of the public forest estate in England. Continue Reading
A filmed interview for a BBC TV Newsnight programme – part of a featured debate on the Government’s plans to dispose of the public forest estate in England. Listen to my full interview.Continue Reading
The Government will be announcing the public consultation concerning the public forest estate on Thursday 27thContinue Reading
The BBC Newsnight programme featuring the public forest estate has been postponed. It is likely to be broadcast on Monday 24th and certainly before Thursday. Gabriel HemeryContinue Reading
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