Reg. Charity 294344
The Woodland Trust
Chalet D
Old Mill & Meadows
Broxbourne
Hertfordshire
EN10 9AX
LAND NEAR SANDRIDGE
Why support this campaign to plant England‘s largest new native forest, when there are so many worthy causes?
Well, trees and woodland are crucial to life on our planet. They generate oxygen for us to breathe, store carbon, provide
homes to a spectacular variety of wildlife, provide us with raw materials and help stabilise the soil.
They offer us quiet places to relax within in the increasingly hectic modern world.
A world without trees and woodland would be barren, impoverished and intolerable. Yet the simple fact is that the UK is
one of the least wooded places in Europe and ancient woodlands (like the four remnants on this site) now make up only
2% of our UK land cover.
During the last century, 46 of our woodland species have disappeared and a further 78 are endangered.
Ancient woodland is our equivalent of the rainforests - once lost, it is irreplaceable.
Added to all the development pressures, the Woodland Trust believes that climate change is the single largest threat to
ancient woodland. In their current state, small isolated woods are simply not sustainable in a time of rapid
environmental change.
Large sites (like the 858 acre site in question), if in a favourable condition, are far more robust for our wildlife in the face
of climate change.
In addition, this largescale woodland creation project would contribute to the English national target of the
Native Woodland Habitat Action Plan to ’expand the area of native broadleaved woodland by 26,000 ha by 2010
through … creating native woodland on ex-agricultural land.‘
We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform the site into a flourishing forest for the future.
Please support our campaign …
Reg. Charity 294344
The Woodland Trust
Chalet D
Old Mill & Meadows
Broxbourne
Hertfordshire
EN10 9AX
LAND NEAR SANDRIDGE
The Woodland Trust would like to acquire 858 acres of land near Sandridge just three miles north of St Albans.
This large and important site is located within the London Greenbelt, a Biodiversity Priority Area and within the Chilterns
ancient woodland concentration.
With the help of local people, acquiring this wonderful site would provide the Woodland Trust with a unique opportunity
to gradually create the largest new continuous native forest in England.
A wide ranging public consultation and site investigation will be carried out to agree the design and lay out of the new
woodland and this will also serve as the first phase of public engagement for this exciting new project. Archaeological
investigation has already started and further surveys of landscape, biodiversity, soils and access will also be required.
This will ensure that the new woodland blends into the existing landscape and respects the historic and biodiversity
importance of what the site holds at present. The Forestry Commission, English Nature, English Heritage and many
other conservation organisations will be consulted.
We have until the end of September 2008 to raise the necessary funds - the total project cost is £8,500,000.
We are running a national fundraising campaign, applying to funding bodies and are calling on local people and
organisations to get involved in a local appeal.
We have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to secure and protect this wonderful site - please help by getting involved.
To receive a donation-form or query any aspect of this project, please contact Nick Morgan by:
- emailing:
[email protected]
- texting:
07979 313285.