U.K. Citizens Want More Woodlands, Poll Says
11/15/99
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Title: POLL: U.K. Citizens Want More Woodlands
Source: Environment News Service
Status: Copyright 1999, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: November 15, 1999
LONDON, UK, November 15, 1999 (ENS) - People value the many benefits
offered by forests, and want to see big increases in Britain's
woodland area, according to the results of a recent public opinion
survey.
Research Surveys of Great Britain conducted the survey on behalf of
the Forestry Commission, the nation's governing forest authority.
Around 2,000 adults were interviewed in 130 locations throughout
Britain. The content of the survey followed similar surveys carried
out in 1997, 1995, and 1993.
The survey shows broad support for public money being spent on
woodlands, with resources appreciated most for providing habitats for
wildlife, and the vital role trees play in preventing the greenhouse
effect and global warming. Public access to forests and the value of
trees to the landscape were considered important by many, and so was
the bringing of jobs to rural areas.
A high proportion of those surveyed wanted more woodland, with around
half supporting a substantial increase. Two-thirds of the people
wanted to see planted, mixed woodland. A mixture of broadleaf and
coniferous trees was the clear winner.
The environmental issues of woodland management were rated important
by many respondents, with about half considering themselves more
likely to buy a product labeled as coming from "soundly managed"
forests. Around a third said they would be more likely to buy a
product that indicated it used British timber.
Almost all of the respondents wanted to preserve ancient and native
woodlands, but around half accepted that some may have to be lost for
developments. Despite continuing increases in both broadleaf and
conifer woodlands, more than half of those surveyed thought that
there had been a decrease in broadleaf woodlands in the last 10
years. Thirty percent think evergreen woodlands had also been
decreasing.
Two-thirds of those questioned said they had visited woodlands for
walks, picnics or other recreation in recent years. Most visited at
least once a month in summer.
About half had visited Forestry Commission woodlands in the last few
years, with over 70 percent of those who visited rating them as good
or very good.
A copy of the Public Opinion of Forestry 1999 survey is available
online at: http://www.forestry.gov.uk