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Plan required to make nature a cross-Government priority

Andy Bond

Lead PR Manager

On 31 January the Government announced a new Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP).

In response to the plan, Abi Bunker, the Woodland Trust’s Director of Conservation and External Affairs at the Woodland Trust said:

"There’s a good deal to applaud in today’s Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) from Government but its missing many of the nuts and bolts to meet the goals of net zero and halting biodiversity loss."

"It’s shy on where funding will come from and crucially Defra appears to be on its own to deliver. Without all Government departments bearing responsibility its unlikely we’ll see a pulling together in one direction to meet these challenging targets."

"We like the recognition for restoring ancient woods and more access to green space - providing millions of trees to schools, community groups and farmers each year is at the heart of the Woodland Trust’s work. This is the right direction from Government given all the benefits to our own health as well as the health of the planet."

"The target to increase woodland to cover an area the size of Cheshire is welcome but let’s not forget what we’re losing – 2260 hectares of new woodland were planted in England last year but at least 1,500 hectares were felled due to tree disease. Its recent biosecurity policy is far from adequate."

"As the Government's own environmental watchdog identified, what's needed now is a plan to make nature a cross-Government priority, supported by sound policy and front-loaded investment."

Notes to editors  

For more details about this release contact Andy Bond, Senior PR Officer at the Woodland Trust on: 07725480434

 

About the Woodland Trust  

The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the UK. It has over 500,000 supporters. It wants to see a UK rich in native woods and trees for people and wildlife.  

The Trust has three key aims:  

  1. Protect ancient woodland which is rare, unique and irreplaceable  
  2. Restoration of damaged ancient woodland, bringing precious pieces of our natural history back to life  
  3. Plant native trees and woods with the aim of creating resilient landscapes for people and wildlife.  

Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 29,000 hectares. Access to its woods is free so everyone can benefit from woods and trees.