Did you know that trees are essential to our lives? Trees help produce the oxygen that we breathe, and provide us with the raw materials that give us shelter. Woods and forests form part of our beautiful landscape, and not only look nice, but provide a habitat for animals and wildlife.

Facts about Forests

• Forests cover 31% of the total land area of the earth.
• Forests are home to 80% of our biodiversity.
• The livelihoods of over 1.6 billion people depend on forests.
• 30% of forests are used for production of wood and non-wood products.

What’s so good about wood?

Trees absorb carbon dioxide and lock it away. This helps us reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and therefore help to reduce climate change.

However the UK is one of the least wooded countries in the UK. The Woodland Trust believes the UK should have twice as much woodland as it has now, if we want to improve the environment and combat climate change.

Explore your local forest or woods

Scottish Natural Heritage have put together some booklets to help you explore the nature in your local area. For more information about getting out and about in your local woods and forests take a look at:

• Getting out and about in Glasgow
• Getting out and about in Edinburgh and Lothians
• Getting out and about in Aberdeen and Surrounding Areas

How can you help?

- Get some free trees
The Woodland Trust sponsored by Sainsbury’s Active Kids has produced some trees planting packs and will give you some support to help you get planting. Schools, youth groups and community groups can sign up to the Woodland Trust to receive a free edible tree pack on the launch in November 2011.

- Volunteer in woodland conservation
There are many volunteering opportunities across Scotland’s woodlands and forests, from helping to construct mountain bike trails to being a guide at an osprey project in the Scottish Borders. Your local Forest District Office will be able to advise you on what voluntary work might be available and help put you in touch with an opportunity.

- Natures Calendar
Help collect valuable information about seasonal changes that will contribute our understanding about climate change and how is affecting our wildlife. Recording means keeping your eyes open for seasonal events and noting the dates as you observe them. Anyone can take part, find out more about Natures Calendar on the Woodland Trust website.

- Ancient Tree Hunt
Help map all the fat trees in your neighbourhood, and help build an archive of the woodland around the UK. You can find out more on the Woodland Trust website.

- Visit Woods
Upload photos, descriptions and comments about your local woodland to www.visitwoods.org.uk.  Visitwoods makes it easy to find your nearest wood (you can search by postcode). Woods are great to visit whatever the season and there are 1000’s that welcome visitors in Scotland alone.  Leave feedback about your local woodland and help inspire others to enjoy the wonders of their woodland.

- Help with a wildlife survey
Wildlife surveys are essential to finding out how well our biodiversity is doing. You can help by joining in and finding out more about your local area and its amazing wildlife. Log on to the Scottish Natural Heritage website to find out more.

To find out more about how you can take part in woodland activities and volunteering, log-on to Young Scot WOW, the national opportunity database for young people across Scotland.