After nine fires this year and with the summer holidays beginning for many, and the potential for prolonged periods of dry spells, the risk of wild fires significantly increases. BBQs and small fires on moorland and woodland can easily get out of control and rip through the countryside fast, damaging everything in their path
With this in mind, the Woodland Trust is appealing to the public to back its 'Love Your Woods' campaign which is looking to encourage people to visit its woodland leaving no trace and therefore aid the protection of the Trust’s special sites.
Fires cause untold damage to habitats, wiping out wildlife and forcing nesting birds to flee - some of which takes decades to recover.
With these risks in mind, the Trust has launched a national campaign which is looking to encourage people to visit its woodland leaving no trace and therefore aid the protection of the Trust’s special sites.
Al Crosby, the Woodland Trust’s Regional Director for northern England said: “Our sites are a wonderful place to visit with so much diversity. We of course want people to enjoy them but also to take care of them, which is why we have launched this campaign, all about recognising what’s special about these places, and how visitors can show their love for them and help us to keep them that way.
“Our key message is to people - help us to protect the precious woods and wildlife near you – please don’t light fires - it poses untold risk to people and wildlife. Even if people think they are in control one minute it can soon change and the affects can be absolutely catastrophic.”
More on the campaign is here: woodlandtrust.org.uk/loveyourwoods