Today, a mature patch of woodland in Gartmore, Scotland, was destroyed. All parties involved knew that a family of red squirrels were nesting in the trees.
Thread:
Thread:
Red squirrels are a protected species according to the wildlife and countryside act of 1981:
nature.scot/professional-a…
nature.scot/professional-a…
A clear-fell licence was issued by the @scotforestry last year, however, this was put on hold when the community of Gartmore showed significant opposition. All parties were to meet to discuss the felling. But the meeting never happened, and the felling went ahead.
The Forestry Commission were made aware the felling was going on today without due process. They claimed a "stop notice" would be issued, but this does not seem to have happened. It's not clear why.
The trees - including 70-year-old broadleafs - were all cut down. We can only assume the red squirrel dreys were also destroyed. The woodland is within the @lomondtrossachs National Park
We are 40 minutes away from Glasgow where #COP26 is happening this month.
My questions as a young person (23) are as follows:
1) What does it take to stop woodland from being cut down?
We seemed powerless to stop this from happening. The Police were involved but said it was a forestry matter. The forestry couldn't stop it, so who could?
1) What does it take to stop woodland from being cut down?
We seemed powerless to stop this from happening. The Police were involved but said it was a forestry matter. The forestry couldn't stop it, so who could?
2) Was a crime committed?
The law seems quite clear that knowingly destroying red squirrel dreys is an offence, yet the contractor @scotwoodlands went ahead anyway.
The law seems quite clear that knowingly destroying red squirrel dreys is an offence, yet the contractor @scotwoodlands went ahead anyway.
3) Was there anything I could have done differently to save the woodland?
I am gutted the woods were destroyed. The squirrels are now homeless, just as they're about to hibernate for the winter.
I am gutted the woods were destroyed. The squirrels are now homeless, just as they're about to hibernate for the winter.
Please retweet this to start a conversation about how we can protect Scottish/British woodland and stop this from happening again. Thank you.
@LochLomondCEO @NicolaSturgeon @lornaslater @MairiMcAllan @patrickharvie @SimonFHodgson1 @ChrisGPackham @GeorgeMonbiot @RewildScotland @RewildingB @ScotSquirrels @nature_scot @RSPBScotland @BBCScotlandNews @guardianeco @BBCEnvironment @treesforlifeuk @Glasgow_COP
Update: This is still ongoing today (14/10). @scotforestry still haven’t issued a stop notice. The contractors have said that they are taking down every tree. We’re powerless to stop it from happening.
This is @EvelynTweedSNP's letter to @MairiMcAllan (Minister for Environment) regarding the woodland being destroyed.
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