Preserve England’s Forests for Birds and Wildlife
England has lost nearly all its native woodland, with countries in mainland Europe enjoying far more forest cover (Latvia, Germany and Scandinavian countries all protect their woodland far better). A few years back, David Cameron’s government even tried to sell off our remaining public forests to private companies, until a petition at 38 Degrees stopped it.
Forests are not just as patchwork of trees. They are home to native birds and wildlife, provide clean air and are of course wonderful for a stroll (both for humans and dogs).
If walking in the woods with dogs, keep them away from conkers and learn toxic plants like bulbs and mushrooms to avoid. And trees to avoid near horses (including yew & oak).
Keep away from grey/white caterpillars (oak processionary moths can cause allergies and breathing difficulties). Also cordon off affected trees from livestock and horses. Mostly found in London in warm weather, report to your council and Treealert.
Public Forests Belong to Everyone
Forests are not just for humans. They provide berries and nuts and shelter for birds, food and homes for many creatures including badgers to deer.
The Scots pine is the only native pine in England, often found in old forests. Although pine trees are not safe near pets, they are great habitats for endangered red squirrels, providing food, shelter and therefore better immunity against Squirrelpox.
This is why you find more red squirrels in Northumberland and Scotland, where there are more pine forests. Culling grey squirrels is not the answer, a vaccination combined with better woodlands is. Read our post on saving all squirrels.
England’s Community Forests offers free, impartial advice and funding to farmers and landowners, to support you to plan and plant new woodlands.
One Third of Austria is Protected Woodlands
Unlike here, Austria protects its native forests, with the country’s (Green) Climate Minister recently ‘tipping the scales’ for the EU Nature Restoration Law to pass. This means that EU member countries must restore drained peatlands, and plant 3 billion more trees.
In England, we have lost nearly all our woodlands (a few years back during David Cameron’s government, only a petition by 38 Degrees stopped our remaining forests being sold off to private investors who ‘promised’ to protect them).
Yeah, right. Thankfully the law did not pass, and the government later admitted it had made a mistake.
How Lots of Forests Help the Planet
The more trees we have, the better we can soak up rainwater, and prevent urban heat island effect, as lots of trees help to provide shade and lower temperatures.
Forests are giant air filters, resulting in cities with lower rates of asthma and cleaner towns, cities and villages for everyone.
People were shocked at the chopping down of Sycamore Gap in Northumberland, as an act of eco-vandalism. But did you know that England’s second-oldest pear tree in Worcestershire was also chopped down, to make way for HS2 high-speed rail?
This project could kill 22,000 wildlife each year when built, when compared with TGV in France. Campaigners say money could instead by invested in better rolling stock and community transport. Barn Owl Trust says that HS2 is ‘a very expensive way of killing owls’.
How Sweden protects its forests better
Like Finland, Sweden is covered in protected forests. Despite having double Norway’s population, it’s still a peaceful place, where most people have summerhouses to swim in one of the 95,000 crystal clear lakes.
As well as recycling nearly every item of trash, it even imports rubbish from Norway and recycles that too. The third city of Malmö stores rainwater in underground aquifers that provides geothermal heat in winter, and cool air in summer.
What’s interesting is that in a country so cold (Swedes use three times more energy than us), it produces less emissions. Councils uses electric cargo bikes for deliveries and the Stockholm underground runs on green energy (as have all public buses for years).
One in 5 people under 30 in Sweden are now vegan or vegetarian (with another 50% interested). Its also the first country about to go totally cash-free (in England, our new bank notes are a mix of animal fat and plastic).
Dauns is an affordable vegan café, deli and bar in London’s Spitalfields, offering Scandinavian-inspired food that reviewers say is some of the best food they have ever tasted. It also offers catering services, including for weddings and other special occasions.
Founded by Swede who grew up watching his mother make and bake delicious food, the closest tube station is Aldgate East (book ahead, as it’s a small place!)
The menu includes Sourdough Toast with Danish Blackcurrant Jam, Vegan croissants with jam or vegan ham/brie, classic organic open sandwiches, hot dogs and of course, Swedish ‘meatballs!’ Plus classic cinnamon buns and pumpkin spice coffee.
What We Can Learn from German Forests
90% of Germany’s forests are heavily protected by law, and the 72 tree species are home to up to 10,000 animals and plants. Tree are so protected that there is even a word for it: Bannwald.
Can You Hear the Trees Talking? (by a German forester) is an interactive illustrated book for young readers, teaching how trees feel, communicate and take care of their families.
Learn about the ‘wood wide web’, aphids (who keep ants as pets!) and nature’s water filters. Also learn how trees get sick, and how we can help them to get better.
Trees sometimes nourish the stump of a felled tree for centuries after it was cut down, by feeding it sugars and other nutrients, so keeping it alive. If a tree falls in the forest, there are other trees listening.
When thick beeches support and nourish other trees, they remind me of a herd of elephants. They too look after their own, and help their sick and weak back up on their feet. They are even reluctant to abandon their dead. Peter Wohlleben
How Latvia Protects Its Native Forests
Latvia is home to one of Europe’s oldest languages, here you’ll also find Europe’s widest waterfall, and a country that is 50% protected forest. The country has a Forest Law to prevent protected zones being chopped down. 10% of Latvia is bog, so pack your natural rubber wellies!
A Year in the Forest (an illustrated treasury)
A Year in the Forest is a beautiful book offering 365 pages of fascinating facts, captivating stories and more, to celebrate our beautiful forests.
Each month includes a poem with inspiring prompts for drawing and journalling to spark creativity, while fostering a deeper connection to nature.
Discover woodland creatures, the wonders of birds and practical tips for sustainability and conservation. The book also highlights key environmental dates through the year, like Earth Day and World Wildlife Day, making it perfect to celebrate nature’s milestones.
Chris Modafferi is an Italian-American writer who moved to London and now writes books on nature.
Illustrator Magdalena Konecná was born in the Czech Republic, and studied typography in Prague, where she now lives.
The Forest of Dean sits on the border of Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire and stretches across more than 42 square miles. This ancient woodland is packed with ancient trees (oak, beech and pine) with birds calling above, shy fallow deer grazing at the edge, and woodpeckers and foxes calling this place home.
Out walking? Follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe. Keep dogs away from steep banks, mushrooms (and other toxic plants/trees) and on leads during nesting season (and near barnyard friends and wild ponies).
Far from bright city lights, the Forest of Dean offers dark skies perfect for stargazing. Listen for owls, spot bats darting overhead, and feel the calm of a place where time seems to slow down. . The surrounding Wye Valley area also has more castles per square mile than anywhere in England.
Leave wild boars in peace
In England, some places (including the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire) have grazing wild boar (male wild pigs). Most attacks are only if they are disturbed, so never approach them (and always leave an escape route). And keep dogs away (and on a leash nearby). Never feed wild boar, this makes them aggressive towards humans for food.
If you see a wild boar, back away slowly (do not run or shout). Also on walks, stay on marked open paths, as boars nest in thick undergrowth. Female boars will attack to defend their piglets (watch for raised bristles, teeth grinding and loud snorting). Like many animals, boars are mostly active at dawn, dusk and during the night.
The Forest of Dean is home to a population of around 1000 wild boar, ancestors of domestic pigs who are not naturally aggressive, but are powerful with sharp tusks. They dig for roots and tubers up to 10 inches underground, using their good sense of smell.
Why Forest of Dean is special for wildlife?
Today, the Forest of Dean feels rich because its habitats vary so much. There are dense stands of old trees, open glades, streams, steep-sided valleys, and quieter corners where the light shifts by the hour. That patchwork supports wildlife and also makes the forest rewarding to explore on foot or by bike.
Old woodland has a certain texture. In the Forest of Dean, you see it in thick trunks, rough bark, fallen wood, and shaded paths that seem to hold their own weather. Ancient oak and beech give the place much of its depth, and they support insects, fungi, and birds that need long-settled habitat.
Three odd plants in the Forest of Dean
- Death Cap Mushroom – this is lethal to people and pets, so stay well away. It’s responsible for 90% of all mushroom fatalities on earth. It however looks like a normal innocent mushroom, which is why it’s so dangerous. If a person or pet goes anyway near it, it’s a medical emergency.
- Jelly Ear (this is a fungi that grows on elder trees, and looks like a human ear!
- Stinkhorn Fungus (this smells like rotting flesh, to attract flies).
