Escaping the stresses of everyday life is the main reason why most
people in Wales visit a woodland, according to the most comprehensive survey
ever undertaken to find out what the Welsh public think of their woods. "Peace
and quiet" was the most important factor for 56% of visitors to a woodland, said
the Public Opinion of Forestry 2005: Wales, which was published by Forestry
Commission Wales Thursday.
The contribution Wales's woods make to the Welsh Assembly's health strategy
through opportunities for exercise is widely acknowledged, and the latest
in-depth snapshot of 1,000 people throughout Wales confirms our woods are also
important for spiritual health.
The survey found that 69% of respondents had visited a woodland in the past
few years, and among the other main reasons for doing so were "attractive
scenery" (54%), "wildlife" (47%), and "woodlands being in close/easy reach"
(43%).
The survey, which is carried out every two years, also found
that:
- 59% of respondents have woodland close to them that they can visit without
using a car
- 15% said they and/or a member of their family had attended an
organised learning activity or event to do with woodlands in the past 12 months
- 52% of adults would like to see more woodland in their part of the country
- 87% said they would support the planting of new woodlands if it was shown
to reduce the frequency of flooding
- Of those who had been shopping for
wood products in the past few years, 25% recognised the FSC symbol, which
indicates the wood came from a certified sustainably managed source
- If
conifer plantations are to be clearfelled, 36% of respondents favoured
replanting the land with a mixture of conifers and broadleaves
- 11% use
wood as a fuel in their home.
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