Wood For the Trees

The news that the UK Government's selling off of Forestry Commission land has resulted in people being excluded from traditional walking areas, in spite of access being a specified criterion, is rather sad but predictable (http://www.ramblers.org.uk/forestrysales). Some collections of conifers (grown essentially as a 'crop') are rather boring but it is not a good idea to make it harder for people on this crowded island to walk in woodlands and to appreciate the natural world around them. It also appears that builders are taking an interest in some of the locations on offer. Increasing urbanisation is a serious issue for what remains of wild life.