[Jane Turner]

Couldn't find another thread about this, so apologies if its a cross post. I'm certainly a cross, if not overly surprised poster.

Our campaign to Save Our Forests hit the headlines this weekend! First our petition and then an opinion poll - paid for by hundreds of 38 Degrees members - were reported on the Today programme and BBC 5 Live breakfast. Then a group including the Archbishop of Canterbury backed our campaign - making the front page of the Sunday Telegraph! [1]

Our pressure is starting to work. If we keep the petition growing, we can make the government think again.

If we can get the petition past 200,000 signatures this week it will prove to politicians and the media this campaign is getting even bigger. Together, we can to stop these plans - before it is too late and our forests are already being sold, fenced off, run down, cut down or built over.

Click here to add your name to the Save Our Forests petition:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/save-our-forests

Our opinion poll proved that 84% of the public want our forests kept in public ownership for future generations. If enough of us get involved in this campaign, we can stop the government's privatisation plan.

At the moment our public forests are national treasures. They are beautiful places millions of us can visit for free. They have wheelchair and buggy accessible paths so that everyone can enjoy them and are precious habitats for woodland wildlife like the lesser spotted woodpecker and the song thrush. If they are privatised, all that could be in danger.

Thousands of us voted to launch this campaign. We've spread the word by forwarding emails and sharing news on Facebook and Twitter. We've put up posters in forests, car parks and cafes all over the country. We've got over 180,000 signatures on our petition. And now our campaign's in the news politicians will be paying attention.

Please add your name to the Save Our Forests petition, and help us get past 200,000 signatures this week:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/save-our-forests

[Pam_m]

Signed...good luck with the petition!

[Mike Price]

Also signed I just hope they listen to public opinion on this

[joannec]

Me too.

[birdboybowley]

Originally Posted by Mike Price

Also signed I just hope they listen to public opinion on this

Hmmmm, just like every other government listens to the public......anyway, also signed

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Here's the other thread about this, which has various links on it:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread....33#post2039433

[Jane Turner]

Cheers - I thought there had to be one, but I failed to locate it.

[nickderry]

signed, and shared on facebook.

[Vectis Birder]

I've signed it and emailed the link to friends and family. I've also posted it on Facebook.

[Upland Birder]

I've just signed and Its good to see nearly 200,000 people have also signed the petition. Will the Coalition listen? Seems to me that they need to. Whether they will remains to be seen.

The Coalition have not issued one good policy since taking office and the people of the UK are completely fed up with them. If they sell off our forests including the forests of the Churnet Valley where I live this could be a defining moment. The tide will turn as probably already has and power will be taken from them at the next election

Dean

[turkish van]

Originally Posted by Jane Turner

Cheers - I thought there had to be one, but I failed to locate it.

Though this already has half as many replies as the other I started 3 months ago!

There's a recently launched site, www.saveourwoods.co.uk, which has loads of info on it. I expect any latest announcements will be on there pretty sharpish. Also lots on twitter with the #saveourforests hashtag.

[Jane Turner]

Thatcher tried to do the same.... can't remember now what stopped the old Bag.

Then there was the flow country debacle

[Johnny1]

Originally Posted by nickderry

signed, and shared on facebook.

Likewise.

[nigeldphoto]

Originally Posted by Johnny1

Likewise.

Done,
regards,
Nigel

[Keith Dickinson]

signed

[maenad]

A scary, scary proposal from the government. Another signature added.
Kathleen

[Bob Philpott]

I have found this on the Forestry Commission website. ????

"International Year of Forests: 2011

The United Nations has declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests.

It has invited governments, organisations and individuals to do all they can to raise public awareness of the key role of forests and sustainable forest management in building a greener, more equitable and sustainable future.

The Forestry Commission is pleased to play its part and will make a full contribution to the UK’s response. Our programme of educational, community and recreational events throughout the year will be used to highlight the Year of Forests and we are planning many more projects and events throughout 2011."

[Jos Stratford]

Originally Posted by Urban Fox

The Coalition ... If they sell off our forests... this could be a defining moment. The tide will turn as probably already has and power will be taken from them at the next election

Whether we wish it so or not, I somehow think the selling of some forests will not, in the greater scheme of things, make or break this, or any, government.

[christineredgate]

Thanks Jane,petition signed.

[Jane Turner]

Originally Posted by Jos Stratford

Whether we wish it so or not, I somehow think the selling of some forests will not, in the greater scheme of things, make or break this, or any, government.

paradoxically, something like this has more chance of de-railing a government than wrecking the NHS or destroying the manufacturing base!

[TheBirdGarden]

Signed and Shared on Facebook

[Clive A]

Signed, over 213,000 now.

[Dmacaskill]

signed!

Then there was the flow country debacle[/quote]

we are still working on habitat restoration in the flows trying to reverse the damage.

Dean.

[Irish Kite]

http://www.woodlandleague.org/

A good explanation of the situation and an important petition too

[paul Robinson]

Both signed.
The International Forestry Fund is chaired by Bertie Ahern? If that doesn't set off the old alarm bell nothing could!
Paul