UK town officially recognizes tree rights
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The Lewes Town Council in East Sussex, England, unanimously approved a charter formally recognizing the value and natural rights of trees, hedges, and woodlands within its boundaries.
The new “Tree Charter” states that vegetation in the town has “the right to flourish and maintain its natural life cycles, ecological functions and evolutionary processes.” Council members hope this initiative will change how the public and local government view and manage urban trees, acknowledging their role in community wellbeing and climate resilience.
Councillor Matthew Bird explained that trees are essential not only in parks but also along streets and in public areas. Councillor Dinah Morgan, who proposed the motion last year, believes the approach will encourage a shift toward collaborating with trees to protect and improve the environment. The decision in Lewes follows a growing international trend of recognizing “rights of nature,” with similar provisions already existing nationally in Bolivia, Panama, and New Zealand for elements like forests and rivers.
While the Lewes charter does not grant trees legal rights equal to those of people or create new legal powers for authorities, supporters intend for it to guide local policies and raise community awareness about the importance of trees.
