Ancient Woodlands UK x Suzanne Simard

Yesterday we met with Dr Suzanne Simard at Penguin Random House, to hear more about her new book ‚When the Forest Breathes‘. The book details Suzanne's research through the Mother Tree Project, the idea that the oldest trees act as connection hubs in the forest.

In 'When the Forest Breathes' Suzanne describes her long-term experiments in Canadian forests and reflects on how indigenous culture has always promoted much more sustainably forestry than western approaches. Looking at the forest as a living network, rather than simply a resource, changes our relationship to it and promotes healthy ecosystems.

 We also shared our work on protecting Ancient Woodlands and Old Growth Forests, and discussed what more needs to be done internationally to halt the loss of these irreplaceable ecosystems. 

This was an exciting meeting, which allowed us to share ideas across borders and gain experience from a renowned expert in the field of forest Ecology. I recommend checking out Suzanne's new book which is out now.

Lucy Grabe-Watson

Support our youth campaign to save ancient woodlands!

Ancient Woodlands UK is a youth-led campaign working to protect ancient woodlands 🔗 https://shorturl.at/70zMt

The recent approval of a tunnel under the River Thames, threatening ancient woodlands and veteran trees, highlight the insufficient protections for our natural heritage in the UK. Ancient woodlands are irreplaceable. They take hundreds, if not thousands, of years to develop. They provide homes for countless species and help mitigate climate change. Nurturing complex relationships and symbiotic evolutions not seen elsewhere on this earth. We only have 2% left.

Without urgent action, we risk losing this natural heritage.

We need your support to fund:

🌱Educational programs about ancient woodlands

🌱Advocacy for stronger legal protections

Join us today and help protect these precious woodlands before it's too late. For more information on how you can support us, get in contact.

Winter to Early Spring

“I love imagining elves gathering round the scarlet elf cup, sipping the dew on the cusp of dawn - a small comfort in the throes of a winter’s day.

Bowls of scarlet and orange lining a dampening, decaying branch, the fungi known as the moss cup, fairies’ baths or scarlet elf cup can be found warming up the cool tones of the winter forest.

Slugs and rodents are keen admirers of this fungi, which at first glance appears similar to ruby elf cup; only differences in microscopic hairs can tell the two apart.

By listening closely when you come across one on the way through the woods, a soft puffing sound might be audible - that’s the fungi releasing its spores into the air.

In European folklore they were said to be the cups from which elves drank dew in the mornings, and Oneida Native Americans used this fungi as medicine to stop bleeding.

In the past, arrangements were made with the scarlet elf cup alongside moss to be sold as decorations.

Found on fallen twigs and branches (usually Hazel, Elm and Willow) in damp areas.”

This incredible piece of art by Medha showcases one of the many ways ancient woodlands inspire us.