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17 March 2011
The RSPB has welcomed the announcement of an independent panel on forestry which has the potential to make all our woodlands better for wildlife and people. read more...
17 March 2011
Conservationists and anglers are calling on the Government to take action on the one third of rivers in England and Wales that are threatened by household water demand. read more...
16 March 2011
Is Britain's most wildlife friendly farmer in Berkshire?
Don't miss out on the chance of winning the RSPB Telegraph Nature of Farming Award
The race is on to get entries in for this year's RSPB Telegraph Nature of Farming Award with applications being accepted until Saturday 30 April. read more...
9 March 2011
Stepping Up for Nature a new campaign is launched in the UK.
14 October 2010
Are website now includes two new sections. So please have a look at 'Community' where you will find details on a variety of talks we are able to presentat.
In 'Information' section we have a number of direct links to the RSPB website covering bird welfare, and common questions that we can asked.
News pages
PRESS RELEASE - 17 March 2011
Forestry panel must work for people and wildlife, says RSPB
The RSPB has welcomed the announcement of an independent panel on forestry which has the potential to make all our woodlands better for wildlife and people.
DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) today unveiled the line-up of the panel, which includes representatives from the RSPB and other conservation and access charities, as well as landowning and forestry interests.
The RSPB will be raising the issue of improving the wildlife value of all of England’s native woods, both on private and public land, as well as the much needed restoration of important areas of heathland and ancient woodland currently covered in forestry plantations.
Steve Gilbert of RSPB South East, said: “The creation of this independent panel is definitely a step in the right direction, and we are very pleased that the RSPB has been invited to sit on it.
“The recent controversy over the proposed sell-off of Forestry Commission land, and the considerable public concern over the future of areas such as the New Forest, have highlighted just how important our nationally owned and managed woodlands are to us.
“The RSPB still believes that the New Forest should not be sold off to the private or charitable sectors and, as we stated previously, that we are not equipped to simply take over.
“But the complex issues of ownership and management of the New Forest remain and need to be discussed, and this new independent panel provides us and other stakeholders with a valuable opportunity to do so.”
Efforts to protect and restore wildlife habitats will be critical as the UK works towards meeting its targets to tackle the ongoing decline in biodiversity by 2020.
While the Forestry Commission already does a lot of good work to protect wildlife, there is plenty more that can, 
and should, be done.
Mr Gilbert added: “There is great potential for areas in the south east that have been planted with commercial conifers to be restored to their former glory as wildlife-rich heathlands and woodlands, giving many rare and threatened species a chance to recover.
“Given what is at stake, it’s vital that this panel’s work is transparent and helps deliver what the public wants – nationally-owned woodlands that are open to all and provide a haven for native wildlife.”
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The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is the charity that takes action for wild birds and the environment...
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