Woodland Trust encourages schools and community groups in Wiltshire to plant more trees
Free saplings are being given out by the charity
A recent report by The Woodland Trust shows how the health of the UK’s trees and woodlands is declining.
Wiltshire's woodland only covers 9.8% of what is found in the South West the lowest in the region.
That’s what the charity says as they launch their Big Climate Fightback campaign to get more people planting trees.
Trees are one of the Government’s top priorities for the COP26 summit as the UK risks failing to meet its carbon net zero target unless more trees are planted, woodland restored, and the condition of woods improved.
The Woodland Trust is sending more than 700,000 free native trees to schools and communities for them to plant.
680,000 more will be available for council’s and other community groups to apply for.
Findings from The Woodland Trusts’ report:
- Spring now arrives on average 8.4 days earlier than the first part of the 20th century, which can be catastrophic for nature.
- Woodland specialist birds have declined by over 80% since 1970: including willow tit (declined 94% since 1970 – Britain's fastest declining resident bird), lesser spotted woodpecker, lesser redpoll, spotted flycatcher, and capercaillie.
- Tree disease and pests are causing local extinctions of wildlife species across the UK; 120 million ash trees alone to be lost to ash dieback
- Only 7% of UK woodlands are in good conditions.
- Nearly all UK woods exceed thresholds for nitrogen pollution which is wiping out lichens and other species leading to disruption and decline of ecosystems, causing micro-extinctions.
Dr Darren Moorcroft is chief executive of the Woodland Trust, which is bidding to establish 50 million new trees by 2025.
He said not enough trees have been planted in the past, but “things can change”.
“With recent decades warmer, wetter and sunnier than the 20th century and 2020 the third warmest on record, it is clear we are in a climate crisis, but we are in a nature crisis too.
““This is a dismal and sobering picture. Our woods are not in great shape, and we remain one of the least wooded countries at 13 per cent woodland cover, compared to 37 per cent in the rest of Europe.
“Without greater action, small and fragmented woods will remain that way and species will face extinction. But it is not too late – things can change.”
With the international community about to gather for the climate conference in Glasgow (COP26) you can do your bit and join the Big Climate Fightback. The Trust has scores of free trees that community groups and schools can apply for now.
There’s more information on their website.