Laut Studie sind fast drei Viertel der Wälder Englands für die Öffentlichkeit unzugänglich

Obviously. We have no real rights of access to most natural (as far as any woodland in England is actually natural) areas in England. And the landowners will make sure it stays that way.

The UK has enormous range of footpaths with right of way however.

Woodlands left alone for Nature is probably a positive outcome.

The problem is more a scale problem of populations which rely on National Parks, so the obvious solution is:

1. Larger National Parks

2. More National Parks

3. Afforestation of the above increase in area to which:

4. Greater public access to woodlands is achieved.

Note importantly with present woodland stock: A majority is small woodland slices which are NOT suitable for public access given the size is already small with negative impacts on species populations in woodlands before disturbance and noise.

The Guardian article as ever conflates:

* Woodlands have immense wellness benefits to humans

* General state of woodlands (eg low 13 rising to 16% in England iirc) of land and the composition eg small coppices, plantations of conifers about 7% of the above and not especially appealing to walk through vs mature Deciduous).

Misframes the personal and emotional with the scale involved as above to resolve the disparity.

Good! Better for the wildlife if people aren’t trampling and often littering where they live. When we moved into our village we joined the local ramblers and were appalled at their sense of entitlement. The best thing landowners can do is put up signs saying ‘KEEP OUT.’ We had friends who owned a house with five acres and a designated footpath through their land. They learned quite quickly many people can’t follow the signs and nearly all of them can’t even read maps. People banging on their windows asking for directions. Even worse people walking through their vegetable patch and arguing it was their right to do so, when the next turnstile was in full view and in the opposite direction. Walking four or five abreast through a farmers field destroying a lot of his growing crops. Mostly townies seem to think the countryside is some sort of gigantic theme park

Yeah, good. People are garbage and have a complete disrespect for everything. I’m glad the public can’t access the majority of woods. 

Because they who owned the land 1000 years ago, still own the land.

They then influence parish councils, local councillors and MPs ensuring the status quo is kept.

They then use public money to make improvements to the land that they have ravaged and depleted for centuries for their own financial gain.

Good. Have you seen what the general public do when they do have access? They litter and allow their dogs to roam off a leash, don’t pick up dog poop and if they do they leave it in a bag in a tree.

We already have a huge network of footpaths and bridleways etc so there’s little need for more.

I’m a woodland manager and public access to woodlands is a nightmare. My most publicly accessible wood is filled with little, dog shit, barbecues, and random damage.

Nature is depleted enough already, people should stay the hell out of woodlands.

It’s frustrating how much of our natural landscape is locked away. We definitely need more and larger protected areas with proper public access, not just tiny, fragmented woods. Getting the balance right between conservation and public enjoyment is the real challenge.

Good. The public seem to think they’re entitled to everything.

Tbh I’ve snuck into many off-limit woodlands myself as a wildlife photographer who does his best not to be a disturbing presence and leaves no trace. While there is usually some traces of human activity, they generally have far, far less litter and intentional tree damage and they tend to be very beautiful places. Opening them up to the public will harm many places.

Loads of accessible woodlands – particularly timber plantations and ones with tonne of paths and bike tracks – are effecfively ecological deserts. A well cared for woodland – or one simply left alone – is often better in private hands than public ownership.

Hate hunting and shooting though.

Dear God, never change, Reddit. The comments on here are poison. How dare people want to go out and enjoy the outdoors. They should all be locked in their homes so they don’t inconvenience you with their breathing or something. Bitter shut ins, the lot of you.

I don’t own any land, aside from my tiny back garden. But it’s mine and I have a gate which is locked and prevents intruders from getting in. Why should it be any different for someone who owns a larger amount of land, with trees on it?

Good. will be free of litter, graffiti and mindless vandalism.

This is why lobbying has either got to be recorded and published freely available online or banned altogether. Too many powerful and rich groups get the ear of government and suddenly the things they claimed to support fall by the wayside.