It is true that in recent years most state owned forests have made great strides in allowing public access. Walking, cycling, bird and mammal watching etc all seem to treat the forest sensitively especially for its wildlife. There has also been a lot of recreation which surely must boost the Forestry Commission's coffers. Car Rallying, Off road motor cycling and musical concerts hardly do anything to enhance the enjoyment of a forest or benefit wildlife.
Some of our English forests are obviously of heritage value. Two I know well are the Forest of Dean and the New Forest. Government hints that these will be handed over to charities to manage with an appropriate sum to carry out the work. Commercial forests will be leased long term to private bodies.
Apart from the obvious heritage forests and those of high nature conservation value I cannot see what the fuss is about. Most forests are large dark blocks of exotic conifers often planted on more valuable heathland or bog and frankly if they could all be felled and the more valuable habitats restored then England would be a better place. A good example of misinformation was a BBC reporter on the news this morning standing by a hillside of exotic pines talking about losing these "Iconic Lanscapes". What a load of tosh!
I think it is a good idea to be reviewing our forests just now. Many may well be better off in private hands and if funding is achieved then Heritage Forests may well be better managed by local people in the form of charities. One thing is certain that at the moment the Forestry Commission both manage the leisure and nature conservation issues and the commercial production. Caroline Spelman, Environment Minister quite rightly points out that this is a situation not good for the long term protection of English forests.
Those dark blocks of exotic pines have made some input to our biodiversity. Red Squirrels hang on in some Northern blocks and populations of Crossbills, Siskins, Nightjars and birds of prey like Goshawks have benefitted and expanded their populations. What is needed before any action takes place is an audit of English forests to establish which are the most important for quality leisure and wildlife.
Having said that though many foresters will point out that most have been planted to provide timber and wood pulp as commercial products and not for leisure or wildlife.
I am sure the debate will continue for some time yet.
NB - I seem to have lost the ability to post photographs at the minute. If anyone has any idea why that is please let me know
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