The Woodland Trust National Questionnaire 2004
The Woodland Trust National Questionnaire 2004
An Open Response to Mike Townsend, CEO of the Woodland Trust Dear Mr Townsend Thank you for sending a copy of your questionnaire to my address and giving me the opportunity to respond. You ask in your questionnaire "What do you think?" Before answering your questions, you should realise that sending out unsolicited junk mail has a detrimental impact on the natural environment by its production, distribution and disposal and should not be carried out by those who claim conservation values. It makes a complete mockery of your high profile Christmas Card collection and conservation campaign, when you spread your own rubbish throughout the country. It seems you consider it more important to solicit for money than to conserve the planet's natural resources for the future. Here are the questions you pose and my responses: Q1. Did you know that only 12% of the UK is woodland compared to an average of 36% across the European Union? A1. Yes but wrong to compare the UK with less densely populated and larger areas, which can lead to misleading comparisons. With such a high population density and low percentage of woodlands in the UK it should be essential that woodlands are protected from human intrusion and not exploited by the Woodland Trust for the recreational use of millions of the planet's most damaging mammal. Q2. Almost 50% of what little remained of the UK's ancient woodland in 1930 has been damaged or destroyed, mainly through conversion to conifer plantation and clearance for agriculture and development. Is this more or less than you imagined? A2. How many of your 1000+ woodlands are really "ancient"? Certainly not the ones you plant with comparatively useless native hardwood saplings rather than with fast growing useable and sustainable timber that could offset the environmentally damaging effect of importing most of our softwood timber supplies. Q3. Did you know that 85% of the ancient woodland which remains has no protective designation? A3. These woodlands should be protected by law and not exploited. Q4. The Woodland Trust is keen to receive news of any ancient woods under threat from development. Had you previously ever heard of the Woodland Trust? A4. I would consider the ancient woodland environment under threat from the Woodland Trust's policies and I have heard of the Woodland Trust. Q5. Did you know that ancient woodland is home to more threatened species (over 230) than any other habitat in the UK, including once common species such as the dormouse and the bullfinch? A5. All the more reason the Woodland Trust should not exploit this habitat for the recreational purposes for the planet's most damaging mammal - man Q6. How often do you visit woodland for walks or recreation? A6. Walking and recreation in woodlands disturbs wildlife and can have a detrimental effect on wildlife including the survival of rare species What wildlife do you know approaches man? Most flee! Q7. Did you know that the Woodland Trust creates more native woods than any other conservation organisation and has planted 3 million trees in the last six years? A7. But is the Woodland Trust a "conservation organisation"? With climate change, the word "conservation" should now be restricted exclusively to those who can prove beyond doubt that they are conserving the natural resources of the planet - not abused by those who trade off their own pocket sized conservation against other greater environmentally damaging activities. That's fake conservation! How many of your 3 million trees will survive considering natural wastage and thinning? Should it be 750k, that's the equivalent of fewer than three trees per week per woodland within your ownership over the six years - mainly paid for by government grants that could be diverted towards real and pressing conservation needs. And don't get carried away! It's not grown trees you plant, its tiny saplings that can be bought for a few pence each. The buying cost of quarter of a million saplings is probably around the same as your annual salary. Q8. Which of the following do you rate as the most important benefits of native woodland? Good for wildlife; Landscape value; Absorbs greenhouse gases and makes air healthier; Jobs in rural areas; Renewable sources of materials; Quiet places for people to enjoy nature. A8. Mixed woodlands with little or no human intrusion are better for wildlife and fast growing conifers are better carbon fixers and a more sustainable timber source than native hardwood. The remaining three in your list are not conservation issues. Q9. Do you agree that the Woodland Trust should campaign to raise awareness of the UK's woodland heritage and to strengthen its protection for future generations? A9. No. The less "awareness" the better! It should be left to those who care for the sanctity of the woodland environment as wildlife havens, not by those who exploit it for their own agenda. Q10. Do you know of a Woodland Trust wood in your area? A10. Yes. One which the Woodland Trust tried to pass off as "conservation" but which was described by one of your partners as a "dispersive development" linked to a £60m tourist complex. Following complaints about the possible contamination of drinking water supplies and a National Audit Office and Millennium Commission investigation into lottery funding irregularities, the project was halted. Q11. The Woodland Trust offers people the opportunity to dedicate recently planted trees as a unique way to celebrate a special occasion or to commemorate a life. Do you think you would ever want to dedicate a tree to someone? A11. Absolutely not! All one is doing is paying a considerable sum of money for a recently planted unidentified low cost sapling. I consider this approach to fundraising to be cynically aimed at the naïve and vulnerable and plays on people's emotions in times of stress. You ask me what I think? I think it's distasteful - and your funeral deals even more so. Q12. Would you ever leave a gift in your will to help the Woodland Trust protect a wood forever? A12. No. Because times are changing and in our shrinking world the exploitation of the woodland environment can no longer be justified. Recreational use and activities cannot be regarded as conservation. Quite simply, the Woodland Trust's policies are out of date and were created when people didn't know any better. Q13. The Woodland Trust cares for and protects over 1,000 woods throughout the UK which, almost without exception, are freely open for people to enjoy. Have you ever visited a Woodland Trust wood? A13. Yes. One that appears to be used almost exclusively by motorists arriving to park their cars and exercise their dogs, and where a farmhouse and surrounding area acquired by the Trust from the Nation for charitable purposes was sold off for a housing development for £100,000. Q14. With which of the following do you agree or disagree? ·Ancient woodland should enjoy greater protection in law ·The Common Agricultural Policy should be reformed to support farmers who protect woods and hedgerows, and plant native trees ·There should be a national programme to involve young people in planting trees A14. ·Yes, ancient woodland should be protected by law from those who seek to exploit it. ·The Common Agricultural Policy should be scrapped with farmers encouraged to produce food for local consumption using methods that are environmentally sound. ·Individuals, young or old, should be assisted financially in planting trees - not tied to any strings-attached scheme involving the Woodland Trust to which the question would seem to imply. Q15. If you are in sympathy with the aims and work of the Woodland Trust would you be prepared to help by becoming a member, for a regular subscription of as little as £2.50 per month? A15. No! I can think of much better ways of spending my money than contributing to an organisation that exploits the woodland environment for recreational purposes of the planet's most damaging mammal, spends its members' money on sending out environmentally damaging junk mail, and kills wildlife it deems inappropriate by origin or abundance. (see: www.roots-of-blood.org.uk ) Finally, I challenge you to provide an "Environmental Impact Assessment" to show that the Woodland Trust can justify its existence by its activities, and the activities it encourages in others, in terms of reducing damaging pollution that contributes to global warming. So is the Woodland Trust a conservation organisation or a fake? Thank you for giving me the opportunity to say what I think. Yours sincerely A Macmillan April 2004 |
The Woodland Trust National Questionnaire 2004
"AMacmil304" wrote in message ... [snip] Wasit really necessary to waste all those internet resources just to let us know whata little twit you are? Franz |
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