Our natural world is under siege. Woods are under threat from climate change, modern development - and often, from sheer indifference.
Research shows that contact with woods and nature makes us feel better about ourselves. Because of modern lifestyles, many children are growing up with little connection with their natural environment (see Space for People).
We need to inspire our children to become future guardians of their natural environment. Tree For All is an urgent call to action.
Children are losing touch with nature. We need to work to reverse this trend before it’s too late. In a recent survey carried out by the Woodland Trust 19 per cent of families with children had not visited a wood in the last year.
Woodland is a precious and irreplaceable asset. It is one of the UK's richest wildlife habitats and provides immense social and economic benefits. In the last 100 years nearly half our woodland, including priceless trees more than 400 years old, have been lost to make way for conifer plantations, agriculture, houses, motorways and airports.
The UK is now one of the least-wooded countries in Europe. Tree For All is important because we need millions more trees. Less than 12 per cent of the UK is woodland compared with an average for European countries of 46 per cent.
We need to change the way society values nature. Such a fundamental change can only start with children. The simple act of planting a tree has the power to both restore our landscapes and inspire our children with a fresh love of nature and a determination to act on its behalf.
