Key facts
Our public forests in the North West of England include over 200 kilometres of walking and mountain bike trials - many of them here in the Lake District. And all are free to use, 365 days a year. See map.
New owners would only have to guarantee access to the land on foot. Bikers and horse riders could be kept out. They can even make access for walkers more difficult, for example, by putting up fences and closing car parks.
New owners would only have to guarantee access to the land on foot. Bikers and horse riders could be kept out. They can even make access for walkers more difficult, for example, by putting up fences and closing car parks.
Our forests are also an important habitat for wildlife such as ospreys and red squirrels. Only last year the Forestry Commission started a major new project to reintroduce red kites to the county's forests.
The sustainable management of woodland requires a lot of work. All the Forestry Commission’s woods are independently certified against the internationally recognised Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) standard. A new owner would not be required to certify their woodlands.
By mid 2010, 99% of SSSI’s managed by the Forestry Commission were in favourable or recovering condition, meeting the Government's target for a 95% improvement before most other organisations.
There are 22 million trees in the public forests across the north west of England, more than three trees for every person living in the region. The Forestry Commission also plants half a million trees each year, two trees for every tree they fell.
Our public forests in the north west store 650,000 tonnes of carbon each year helping combat the effects of climate change.
Our public forests in the north west store 650,000 tonnes of carbon each year helping combat the effects of climate change.
The forests we are campaigning to defend are in the Lake District National Park. But altogether, two thirds of Englan'd public forests lie within National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
And it's all remarkably good value!
Management, by the Forestry Commission, of all the public’s forests in England costs just 30 pence per taxpayer each year.
An outdoor photography exhibition at Grizedale
Our supporters in Cumbria include Friends of the Lake District. You can see their campaign page here.
A number of groups have been set up to oppose the sell off plans at a national and local level including the following:
38 degrees who have organised the national petition
Save Our Woods
Save England's Forests
Hands Off Our Forest in the Forest of Dean
A number of groups have been set up to oppose the sell off plans at a national and local level including the following:
38 degrees who have organised the national petition
Save Our Woods
Save England's Forests
Hands Off Our Forest in the Forest of Dean
