Thetford Forest - photo by Rod Leslie
Friends of Thetford Forest (FOTF) and the many other groups and individuals who treasure our Public Forest Estate, are awaiting the report of the Independent Panel on Forestry which is to be published on 4th July. Set up in 2011 to advise the government, the Panel has spent a year visiting forests all over the country; carrying out consultations and meetings, commissioning research and workshops and seeking the views of professionals, national organisations, voluntary groups and the public. In fact, it had over 42,000 responses to its ‘Call for Views’, far more than expected.
Throughout this time, FOTF has campaigned for the Public Forest Estate to be held in perpetuity for the benefit of the nation under the stewardship of the Forestry Commission. Indeed, it sees this as the only satisfactory and acceptable outcome. With sixteen years of working in partnership with the Forestry Commission in Thetford Forest, it knows from experience that FC is the one organisation that can provide our national timber resource, deliver recreational facilities and conserve wildlife, all at the same time. No other body has the broad range of experience and expertise to balance all three components in a working landscape that contributes significantly to the local economy.
FOTF hopes that the Panel’s report recognises the value of the Public Forest Estate and the need for its present Forestry Commission management to continue and be fully resourced. It is ready to oppose any further threats to our forests, with the support of its members and the wider community.
Read more articles about Thetford Forest: http://saveourwoods.co.uk/?s=Thetford+forest
I see the nail fungus has been found in Thetford forest again after a 70 year absence, conservation works, hands off our wood!