Have your say about woodland resilience
Woodland resilience is perhaps the most important concern for everyone who manages trees and woodlands. It underpins all aspects of management and ultimately affects how trees and habitats will thrive in future. Changes in our environment, whether caused by humans or natural ecological processes, are impacting Britain’s trees and forests with increasing frequency and severity. You are invited to have your say about how you and the woodland you care for are affected and about how you think we should plan to promote greater woodland resilience.
About the British Woodlands Survey
The respected British Woodlands Survey (BWS) was established in 2012 as an independent vehicle to gather evidence about the nations’ woodlands and those who care for them. The British Woodland Survey is taken seriously by decision makers among our most influential environmental bodies and organisations, including government bodies. BWS offers a genuinely powerful vehicle for anyone who owns and manages woodlands in Britain to have a say and influence policy and practice.
Outputs of previous surveys have been referenced by many organisations and by government. Results have supported FSC-UK in revising its standards and develop new provision for small woodlands. They have also provided key evidence supporting the development of a Climate Change Action Plan by the Forestry Climate Change Working Group. BWS2015 and BWS2020 are cited as evidence in the government’s Committee on Climate Change.
The last BWS focussing on resilience, in 2020, was responded to by more than 1,000 stakeholders representing land managers across Britain. The new 2025 survey on resilience will be the third instance (following 2015 and 2020), providing a highly valuable 10-year time series.
Take part in BWS2025
In this latest edition of the British Woodlands Survey, researchers want to hear from woodland owners and managers about their experiences, and of their hopes and fears for the future. Environmental change is already altering the ecology of our woodlands, affecting timber prices and productivity, impacting financial sustainability and more. Do you think some of these impacts may be positive as well as negative? Do you think you need better financial support or advice? What are biggest barriers you face in managing your woodland? Would you like to be better connected with others, could information technology support you better? This is your chance to have a say!
The British Woodlands Survey 2025 (BWS2025) is now live and remains open until the end of August. Taking part is important for all woodland owners, forestry and land agents, forestry professionals, businesses, land-owning organisations, and others. Please take part!