First of all, a tremendous thank you to everyone who has signed and shared this petition - we're currently at 1,484 signatures (both online and paper). Please help us get to 1,500 and beyond!

I learned that the recent upsurge in signatures is at least partly due to concerns over construction works on the road next to the Arboretum. After checking with the personnel on-site, I can at least assure everyone that these works are not for a treetop walkway, but for an “eco-recreaduct” across eight lanes of highway to facilitate bicycle traffic and to provide a safe means of passage for wildlife from a small patch of woodland into the Arboretum. However, it is unfortunate and ironic that for construction of this passage a considerable number of young trees were cut down as well as much vegetation that provided habitat for wildlife, including bank voles. In addition, a small population of wild orchids was also destroyed during construction.

From discussion with the personnel at the Arboretum’s Forest Museum and the municipal administration of Hoeilaart (responsible for granting of construction permits for any projects in the Arboretum) I found out that, as yet, no permit for construction of a treetop walkway has been either requested or granted. Furthermore, an environmental impact assessment would need to be carried out for any permit request for construction in the Arboretum, and a 30-day public consultation would also be required. However, the municipality informed me that such a project, or a similar one designed to significantly increase tourism to the Arboretum, is still under serious consideration, especially if the planned renovation of the Forest Museum fails on its own to draw enough additional visitors to the Arboretum.

Please stay tuned for further news....