Walkers, dog walkers, mountain bikers, riders and picnickers are invited to the two forest rallies
Outdoor enthusiasts are being urged to head into the woods as campaigners warned the battle to save the nation’s forests is not over.
They said that, despite a u-turn on the bigger sell-off, the coalition Government still plans to dispose of 15 per cent of public forestry in England and Save Lakeland’s Forest warned as much as 30 to 40 per cent of the Lake District’s woodland could be sold.
The group is joining the Friends of the Lake District in inviting members of the public to two gatherings in the area on Sunday, the eve of World Forestry Day.
SLF said it is the smaller woodlands that are now most under threat from the Government’s plans. Save Lakeland’s Forests and Friends of the Lake District want people to join them in two of these woods: at Chapel House near Windermere and High Stand near Armathwaite at midday on Sunday.
Lord Clark of Windermere said: “We want cyclists, walkers, dog-walkers, riders, ramblers and picnickers to get out into our woods on Sunday and show their love for them.
“Chapel House and High Stand are among the woods that are most vulnerable if the Government goes ahead with its remaining sell-off plans.
“Like many other areas of woodland across the county they are much loved green spaces where people enjoy a range of outdoor activities, as well as providing valuable habitats for a range of species.”
Members of the public are also invited to join the Friends of the Lake District in planting trees with the Orton Community Woodland project near Tebay. The session is one of a series of Friends’ events that will see 1,000 trees planted. Donations from the anti-sell-off rally last month at Whinlatter Forest have helped the tree planting projects.
And Last week 100 hazel trees were planted at Friends of the Lake District’s Hows Wood in Eskdale thanks to a donation from member Yvonne Timms to celebrate her late parents’ love of the Lake District. Today, volunteers planted 20 oak, hazel and elm trees on Friends of the Lake District’ land at The Helm at Oxenholme and next Monday, more than 200 trees will be planted at High Borrowdale, near Bretherdale, near Shap.
Judith Moore, policy officer with Friends of the Lake District, said: ”During its lifetime each broadleaf tree planted will absorb on average one tonne of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
“We’ll need trees more than ever in the future and so we are creating new woodlands for our children’s future. It’s also a great way to celebrate our success in halting the Government’s plans to sell off our public forests.”
Chapel House Forest is near Staveley-in-Cartmel, which is close to Newby Bridge in south Cumbria. Parking is available at the Staveley-in-Cartmel car park (SD 381 851, postcode LA12 8NG) just off the A590.
High Stand is 2½ km (1½ miles) north-west of Armathwaite village in north Cumbria. There is a car park on the southern boundary of the wood (NY 495 483).
The Orton Community Woodland project is near Tebay (NY 624 087) and the planting will take place on Sunday 20 March between 11am and 4pm.
Similar protest events are being held by forest campaign groups across the country including the Forest of Dean, Delamere Forest and Sherwood Forest.
