English What’s the issue?
The UK has one of the lowest levels of tree-cover in Europe, with only 13% of our landmass covered by woodlands and forestry. Consequently, we have to import around 60-70% of our timber from overseas to meet domestic timber demand. Not only do we urgently we need more trees to increase our timber stock, but as we face numerous ecological and climate crises we also need to nurture and expand our forests and woodland areas in order to provide habitats for biodiversity, and to act as carbon sinks.
UK Government tree-planting initiatives are currently falling short of their annual targets, and furthermore, many of these publicly financed tree-planting schemes are being exploited by private interests to offset carbon emissions.
To build a woodland nation we need to build and nurture thriving woodland landscapes which benefit woodland workers, wildlife and local communities.
Beth ydym ni’n ei wneud?
The LWA Forestry Sector is working on developing campaigns to demand more government support and funding for sustainable forestry. In 2020 we published our Forestry Manifesto, outlining key policy asks for building a more sustainable and agroecological forestry and woodland sector, and we continue to lobby these policy demands whenever and wherever possible.
We are currently in the process of building relations with allied forestry organisations and woodland groups, profiling sustainable woodland management by our members, and developing strategies to overcome the barriers of getting trees in the ground and our woodlands into management. We believe that with good planning and investment, the UK’s forests can help to address the climate crisis and restore our ecosystems, while also boosting employment and social wellbeing.
In terms of member organising, we held our first ever Forestry Sector gathering in May 2022, where dozens of woodland workers from across the UK came together to share experiences, swap skills, develop the vision of the Forestry Sector and party together (including a drum and bass ceilidh!) At the gathering, we formed a steering group of LWA members to guide the direction of travel of the Forestry Sector, acting as a sounding board for LWA staff on issues relating to the sector.
What can you do?
LWA Forestry Sector members are active on a regional and UK level in campaigns, actions, events and participating in LWA member organising. Members can work with the member organising teams in each LWA region to bring in a Forestry perspective to regional organising, and take the lead on organising forestry and woodland related events and activities on a regional or branch level. Get in touch with natalia.szarek@staging.landworkersalliance.org.uk to connect with LWA member organising in your region or branch.
If you would like to be kept up to date with projects or campaigns, or opportunities to join the Forestry Sector steering group, get in touch with woodland@staging.landworkersalliance.org.uk