Action Oak Newsletter *Festive Edition*

December 2024 Action Oak Newsletter *Festive Edition* Dear Valued Supporter Happy Festive Season! December has arrived, the oak leaves are all on the ground (with thanks to various storms for the speed at which that happened!), 2025 is just around the corner, Action Oak sends you the warmest Festive Greetings and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year! Contents Message from our Chair, Geraint Richards Great Oaks of the British Isles Calendar Our Socials Scene The State of Wales’ Rainforests Report Action Oak Annual Report The Tree Council - Mistletoe Research Andrew Hipp’s Oak Origins Webinar The State of the UK’s Oaks Read on to find out more Message from Geraint Dear Action Oak Supporters, It has been another positive year for Action Oak with some exciting developments as we continue to pursue our mission to protect our native oak trees.  We enjoyed an excellent partner event in Cardiff in May and, in June, Annabel and I attended an International Oak Society visit, an organisation with which we are forming a very strong relationship.  In October, we had a wonderful day at Blenheim for the launch of the Moorcroft Pottery tree collection, a collaboration also involving The Royal Forestry Society. Throughout the year our network of researchers has been continuing with its vital work and, of course, the ‘home team’ of Annabel, Sarah and Georgina has been keeping the whole initiative moving in the right direction. My thanks to all the individuals and organisations supporting this most worthy cause in different ways.  I look forward to 2025 when we will be launching our State of the UK’s Oak report, a key milestone for Action Oak. With warmest good wishes, Geraint It’s not too late to order your 2025 Great Oaks of the British Isles Calendar  Order your copy of 2025 Great Oaks of The British Isles Calendar now! With Christmas right around the corner you won’t want to miss our “Great Oaks of the British Isles” calendar. We have collaborated with renowned photographer, Charles Sainsbury-Plaice to create this stunning calendar, with images of iconic oaks from around the UK. This is more than a calendar—it’s a way to support an important cause and celebrate the grandeur of our oak trees. 'Great Oaks of the British Isles'. RRP £15.99.Buy the Calendar here! Our Socials Scene Our year #wrapped. Thank you for supporting us on social media in 2024; every follow, like and share is appreciated. If you’re not already following us, help us reach more people about the importance of our iconic oak trees by following or liking us, you can also share us with friends or colleagues. Another way you could help is by collaborating with us. Please get in touch if you’d like to explore possibilities. So that you don’t miss a(n oak related) thing click the links to our Facebook, Instagram and X below. Image: Dinas Emrys Ben McKeown The State of Wales’ Rainforests Report The State of Wales’ Rainforests report is the first major output of the Alliance for Wales’ Rainforests. It establishes an ecological baseline for rainforest condition in Wales, shining a spotlight on the multiple threats that the habitat faces and outlining the actions required to restore Wales’ temperate rainforest and create a healthier, better connected and more resilient rainforest landscape. https://celticrainforests.wales/the-state-of-wales-rainforests-report Action Oak Annual report Our annual report is still available to download and gives a really interesting insight into the varied research being undertaken. The Tree Council’s MistleGo! Looking for something to do on your winter walks? Then why not take part in the Tree Councils mistletoe survey using the Mistlego app https://treecouncil.org.uk/science-and-research/mistletoe-research/ And learn more about this fascinating parasitic plant! Andrew Hipp’s Oak Origins Webinar If you didn’t make Andrew’s recent webinar, Oak Origins, you can now watch the recording. Andrew is the author of Oak Origins: From Acorns to Species and the Tree of Life. His webinar covers research spanning more than a century. How did oaks become such important and beloved trees across the northern hemisphere? What are oak species? What are oak hybrids, and how important are they? How do oaks shape the forest? It touches on the natural history and biology of reproduction in oaks; the origins of oak species and their hybrids; and the estimated 56 million years of oak evolutionary history. Oak Origins: From Acorns to Species and the Tree of Life with Andrew Hipp The State of the UK’s Oaks This year we have started work on The State of the UK’s Oaks. This consultant led review will cover all oak trees from woodlands to parks to urban trees. It is an important next step in enabling us to convey the importance of oak and sustaining Action Oak’s vital work to protect them. This builds on our existing resources of the Oak Evidence Summary, the Oak Knowledge Review and the Action Oak Annual Report. Thank you for your ongoing support. With warm wishes for a wonderful festive break and we’re looking forward to working with you all in the new year! Copyright © 2024 Action Oak, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you consented to receive our newsletter. Our mailing address is: Action Oak Old Station Yard Whitney-On-Wye Hereford, Herefordshire HR3 6EZ United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. Hosted by Woodland Heritage (Registered Charity 1041611).