The Independent Panel on Forestry would like to hear your views on forests and woods in England, and what this part of our landscape can and should provide, now and in the future.

This call for views is the start of an ongoing dialogue with everyone who is interested in forests and woods.

The Panel has been set up to advise Government on the future of England's forests and woods by April 2012. Their terms of reference, which you can see in full on the webpages, state that they should advise "on the future direction of forestry and woodland policy in England".

This includes, but is not limited to, the work of the Forestry Commission, forests and woods in public, private and charitable ownership, the economics of forestry, public benefits such as well being, access for leisure pursuits and the role of forests and woods, and related open habitat, in the wider natural environment.

The Panel want your help with understanding:

1. what forests and woods deliver for people, communities, nature and the economy;
2. what it is about forests and woods that people value so much and why
3. what works in the practice and can be repeated in other locations. They would welcome views and ideas on any aspect of forests and woods.

The following list of questions may help frame your response. The Panel say it would be helpful for them if you could respond under these broad questions.

Question 1 - What do forests and woods mean to you?

Question 2 - What is your vision for the future of England's forests and woods?

Question 3 - What do you feel to be the benefits of forests and woods to:

• a) you personally
• b) society as a whole
• c) the natural environment
• d) the economy?

Question 4 - The Panel would like to hear about suggestions of practical solutions and good practice which can be replicated more widely.

Question 5 - What do you see as the priorities and challenges for policy about England's forests and woods?

Please capture your ideas in a maximum of four pages, to reach them by 31 July 2011.

Please send your response to: forestrypanel@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Secretariat to the Independent Panel on Forestry
Defra Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR

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