Wendy Joy Oliver’s Post

A significant step forward in tree protection and preservation. The next steps would be wider tree legislation and planning policy reflect a culture of retaining trees as a matter of upmost national importance, when our air quality, our protection from heat, protection of biodiversity (and therefore food systems etc) all depend significantly on maintaining tree coverage, it could not be more urgent.

The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland has welcomed a Private Members Bill submitted by Peter McReynolds MLA at Stormont. This proposal for a Tree Protection Bill, submitted in July, aims to introduce dedicated legal protection for Northern Ireland’s oldest and most significant trees. As the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity, one of the Woodland Trust's core objectives is to protect these living legends. The Bill seeks to strengthen the protection provided through Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), create a new 'Heritage Tree' designation specifically to protect and support Northern Ireland’s oldest and most significant trees, and safeguard these heritage trees from permitted developments. Our oldest and most significant trees are irreplaceable, yet many face a range of threats. One pressing concern is halting their loss to development and neglect, ensuring they can grow old securely without harm. Additionally, local communities must take drastic action to save important trees in their areas, though most campaigns are unsuccessful. One notable case occurred in Newry in 2022, where a row of 200-year-old oak trees was felled despite significant opposition. Public affairs manager for the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland, Paul Armstrong, said: "Our systems for protecting important trees urgently need strengthening. We need improved laws to keep our oldest and most important trees safe. "Given that Northern Ireland is one of the least wooded regions in Europe, with under 9% tree cover, and we’re facing a climate crisis and widespread biodiversity loss, we welcome this Private Members Bill to protect our most valuable and irreplaceable trees and woods. "In recent years, much attention has been given to the importance of planting more trees. However, we also need to protect our existing trees and woodlands, as they store more carbon than newly planted ones and provide vital habitats for nature. Newly planted trees and woods take many years for ecosystems to fully develop. This need for protection is particularly pressing, given that Northern Ireland is ranked 12th-worst out of 240 countries for biodiversity loss. "As well as protecting our oldest and most important trees, we must safeguard our remaining ancient and long-established woodlands from development. These woodlands are havens for wildlife, plant life and fungi, which are unique and crucial for maintaining our dwindling biodiversity. Ancient woods, which cover just 0.04% of Northern Ireland, are an increasingly rare and irreplaceable habitat. The soils and complex ecosystems within these centuries-old woodlands cannot be recreated or replaced. Once they are gone, they are lost forever." Paul concluded: "Our oldest trees and woodlands are extremely scarce and vital for nature and climate so we must protect them. We hope that this new legislation will support people and communities to protect these living legends that they so value." Photo Credit: Michael Cooper/WTML

NEW REPORT RELEASE from Coast Funds: Finance for Forests How can Indigenous communities finance forest conservation without compromising economic security? How can long term funding for forest conservation, stewardship and watershed restoration be secured while still providing for community needs? Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/gytmADpa #Indigenousleadership #conservation #biodiversity

Land conservation deals like this are one of the most powerful ways to preserve our planet's most sensitive ecosystems.

25 Projects for 25 Years! Did you know that The Land Trust for Tennessee actively manages certain properties for conservation purposes? The Sugg property is a great example of this. The 852-acre parcel in Maury County, with its rich history and ecological significance, was generously donated to us by the Sugg family, ensuring its protection for future generations. Recently, our team participated in a prescribed burn on the property, marking another chapter in our ongoing commitment to conservation and land management. These carefully planned burns serve several essential purposes: 🌳 Improving Wildlife Habitat: Enhances habitat for both game and non-game species. 🌳Invasive Species Management: Controls the spread and dominance of invasive species. 🌳Encouraging New Growth: Promotes the growth of native vegetation, increasing biodiversity. 🌳Nutrient Recycling: Recycles nutrients back into the soil, enriching it for future growth. 🌳Reducing Competition: Allows native plants to thrive by reducing competition. 🌳Lowering Wildfire Risk: Decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires by reducing the fuel load on the forest floor. Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3SgyKOU #25for25 #LandTrustTN #PrescribedBurn #Conservation #Stewardship #Tennessee

🌿 Conservation Success! 🌿 The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has successfully conserved the McIntyre Ranch, Alberta’s largest conservation easement, thanks to years of planning and support from funders including Alberta’s government, the Canadian government, Cenovus Energy, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and private foundations. Located near Milk River Ridge, the 22,500-hectare McIntyre Ranch is the largest piece of fescue grasslands remaining on the planet. The easement will protect this vital ecosystem, home to over 150 species, including 27 species of concern like the ferruginous hawk and chestnut-collared longspur. Ralph Thrall III, CEO of McIntyre Ranch, emphasizes the critical role of cattle in maintaining grassland health and biodiversity, likening Canada’s grasslands to the rainforests of South America in their ecological importance. This conservation easement ensures the land remains intact, preventing it from being subdivided or converted for other uses, while allowing sustainable ranching to continue. NCC will conduct ecological monitoring and support stewardship practices to benefit the ranch's diverse species. The NCC has also launched the Prairie Grassland Action Plan to conserve 500,000 hectares of grassland by 2030, addressing the alarming rate of grassland loss in Canada. 🌍 Preserving Grasslands for Future Generations! 🌍 #Conservation #Biodiversity #SustainableRanching #PrairieGrasslands #NatureConservancyCanada #McIntyreRanch #EcologicalPreservation #ClimateAction

Kawartha Land Trust purchases 1,400-acre nature reserve along Pigeon Lake: The Peterborough, Ont.-based land conservation charity Kawartha Land Trust has purchased the Hammer Family Nature Preserve, the largest conservation property in the organization’s 22-year history. "On Monday in Lakehurst in the Municipality of Trent Lakes, officials announced the purchase of the property which consists of 1,400 acres of forests, wetlands, fields and natural shoreline along the east side of Pigeon Lake in the municipality. The purchase was assisted by $2.9 million from Ontario’s Greenlands Conservation Partnership, a $38-million program which helps conserve ecologically important natural areas. The Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund and private donors also provided funding support. Kawartha Land Trust executive director John Kintare says the purchase of the land will ensure its future protection and provide more opportunities for public access and nature connection." Comment: A fabulous acquisition. Shoreline property along the Kawartha Lakes needs protection from residential and cottage development.

Inclusive conservation is hard. But it's worth it. Protected areas that incorporate diverse views and values result in better outcomes for both people and nature. Learn more about the benefits and challenges of inclusive conservation in the latest piece from World Wildlife Fund scientists, Becky Chaplin-Kramer and Gabby Ahmadia: https://lnkd.in/eQ2pbhgG For more in-depth research into this topic, read their recent study in Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability: https://lnkd.in/ebGtipyC

America the Beautiful Challenge is a public-private grant program for locally-led ecosystem restoration projects that invest in watershed restoration, resilience, equitable access, workforce development, corridors and connectivity, and collaborative conservation, consistent with America the Beautiful Initiative. The America the Beautiful Challenge coordinates funding from multiple Federal agencies and private philanthropy into one competitive grant program. This streamlines the application process, enabling larger, more impactful cross-boundary projects, while making it easier for states, Tribes, territories, local groups, non-governmental organizations, and others to apply for multiple funds with one application. This one-stop-shop solicitation is the result of financial contributions from the U.S. Department of the Interior through the Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Forest Service, the U.S. Department of Defense, and Native Americans in Philanthropy, as well as private philanthropy. The America the Beautiful Challenge seeks to advance conservation and restoration projects that are consistent with the principles outlined in the Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful report and that focus on at least one of the following core areas of need: Conserving and restoring rivers, coasts, wetlands, and watersheds Conserving and restoring forests, grasslands, and other important ecosystems that serve as carbon sinks Connecting and reconnecting wildlife corridors, large landscapes, watersheds, and seascapes Improving ecosystem and community resilience to coastal flooding, drought, and other climate-related threats Expanding access to the outdoors, particularly in underserved communities Applicants are encouraged to develop large landscape scale and/or cross jurisdictional projects that advance existing conservation plans or are informed by Indigenous Traditional Knowledge. Learn More Here: https://ow.ly/6XnN50QPeNW

Advocating for the protection of functional habitat is crucial, and it's heartening to see common sense prevail. Eight years ago, advocating for the protection of the Gnangara pine plantation to the Western Australian State Government for Carnaby's black cockatoo was shut down without any consideration of its merit. However, today, protecting pine plantations is finally seen as a viable option for conserving foraging habitat for the endangered Carnaby's black cockatoo with the ongoing loss and degradation of Banksia woodlands throughout the Swan Coastal Plain. This reaffirms the need for conservation actions to focus on restoring and protecting functional habitat in whatever form that takes.