Find A Forest On Your Phone

Forestry Commission England has launched a free iPhone app to help us find woodlands, download handy trail maps or learn about trees with an easy to use tree identifier.

Users of the app can apparently search for sites by event or activity, or find basic information such as opening times, things to do, directions and contact details for Forestry Commission forest parks.

Described as 'an educational and fun app' it includes a photo gallery, UK common tree identifier and unique computer generated tree illustrations. Users can identify a tree using its bark, seed or leaf within just a few clicks.

Visitors can also download pdf trail maps via GPS so that the app can still be used when exploring amongst the trees and out of phone signal range.

Find out more at www.forestry.gov.uk/mobileapp or download the app from iTunes - http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/forestxplorer/id428559042?mt=8

Discover Eco Wales

Your Welsh wildlife watching could include seeing an amazing red kite.

Wales is a great place for a eco friendly and/or wildlife friendly holidays and the Wild & Green Escapes website has loads of info on eco friendly and nature friendly holiday accommodation from which you can explore this stunning country and enjoy a spot of Welsh wildlife watching too.

Early Start For Dawn Chorus Fans In Lincolnshire

Nature lovers are being invited into the forest at the crack of dawn to enjoy bird song at its most bewitching.

The Forestry Commission is staging a dawn chorus walk through 360 hectare (900 acre) Chambers Farm Wood, near Wragby, Lincs, on Sunday 1st May, setting out at 4.30am.

Birds often sing through the night but the peak is reached soon after dawn. Rangers will use hi-tech recording equipment to capture the sound.

The two hour walk over gentle terrain costs £5 and meets at Chambers Farm Wood Centre, signed off the B1202 Wragby to Bardney road. Booking is required on 01623 822447. For more information Lincolnshire’s woods and wildlife log-on to www.forestry.gov.uk/eastmidlands

Early Birds Invited To Enjoy Dawn Chorus

Dawn Chorus Event In Yorkshire

The Forestry Commission is inviting early birds to a dawn chorus event in North Yorkshire's Dalby Forest on saturday May 7th.

Experts say the dawn chorus is made up of thousands of battle songs by males defending territories and invitations to females to pay a call.

Recreation manager Cath Brason said: “We've organised the walk as part of International Dawn Chorus Day. Every dawn chorus is unique and the absence of traffic noise in Dalby adds to the bewitching effect.”

The walk will be up to four miles long, including hilly sections, and booking is required on 01751 472771. It costs £10 including a bacon butty and refreshments in Dalby Forest Visitor Centre. 

Dawn is the best time to sing because the air is generally calmer and sound transmission is good. A dawn song is thought to be 20 times more effective than singing at midday.

Earth Day

Discover Earth Day

Tomorrow (April 22nd) is Earth Day an international call for us all to do more to look after the planet we live on. Visit the Earth Day website for details, ideas and inspiration on all things green!

Special Offer On Wildlife Watching Holiday

Glenloy Wildlife Holidays Special Offer

Glenloy Wildlife provide top wildlife watching holidays in the Western Highlands of Scotland. According to their website they are currently offering £100 off per person on a 7 night holiday between 7th and 14th May.

For details visit either:
* Glenloy
* Wild & Green Escapes

Concern Over Wildlife Laws

Have Your Say On Laws Which Protect Wildlife & Countryside

As reported by 38 degrees:

Yesterday, it was revealed that the government might scrap vital laws which protect wildlife and the countryside and help stop climate change. Hardliners have branded the rules ‘red tape’ and say they could be scrapped within months. [1]

We need to work together to make sure our wildlife, our countryside and our planet are protected.

In the past, David Cameron has made headlines promising to run "the greenest government ever". [2] We need to convince him that scrapping these laws would be a disaster for his reputation. A huge petition will prove to Cameron that he can't afford to break his green promises.

Please take 30 seconds to speak up for legal protection for wildlife and the environment:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/m/74c05b4b/2d4cf353/59e93dc5/4674c55a/2179434391/VEsF/

Among the laws under threat are the Climate Change Act and the Wildlife and Countryside Act. These aren’t little-known laws that no one cares about. The Wildlife and Countryside Act protects wild birds, their nests and eggs, and makes sure that national parks and marine reserves are protected. The UK’s Climate Change Act was a world first which helps make sure we reduce our emissions. [3]

We know that when we work together we can make sure the government doesn’t get away with plans which could hurt the environment. When they decided to try to sell off our forests, over half a million of us got together and convinced them to drop their plans. [4]

The government says it is "consulting" before scrapping these laws - so let's give them a consultation response they can't ignore! Please help make sure we have a huge petition telling the government to keep laws which protect our wildlife and our environment.

Sign the petition to send a powerful message to David Cameron and the government:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/m/74c05b4b/2d4cf353/59e93dc5/4674c55a/2179434391/VEsC/