Dear Tree Lovers Sheffield appears to be a microcosm for what is happening to the world at large! A complete lack of respect for nature and a complete disregard of the rights of communities to have their say. I was lucky enough to have the chance to meet with Manari, leader of the Sapara people of the Amazon Rainforest in Feb 2016. The Sapara are on high alert in Block 79+83 of the forest, since the Ecuadorian government signed an oil contract with China, allowing oil exploration in this region. Sapara owned land that was given UNESCO world heritage status in 2001 and which has been granted legal protection under the Rights of Nature, written into Ecuadorian law in 2008! Yet seismic exploration is due this Tues 8th March, by Andes Petroleum and this CANNOT be allowed to happen! Here are a few words from Manari himself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L5Shg-shiY. Block 79+83 is Sapara territory and the contract with china is VOID! Help spread this important story, by sharing tweets from #Block79+83 search on Twitter. Also by making a donation to the Pachamama Alliance, whatever you can give is sorely needed: https://www.pachamama.org/donate. Funds are required for grass roots resistance in this remote but precious part of the world, that belongs to ALL of us. Meanwhile in Sheffield!! David Dillner was granted a 3 month interim injunction on tree felling by the High Court in Feb 2016. http://www.thestar.co.uk/our-towns-and-cities/sheffield/campaigners-say-axing-trees-is-profit-before-sheffield-health-1-7718985 SCC has since launched an appeal. And a recent online comment nicely sums up their stance: “Sheffield City Council are showing utter contempt for the electorate by essentially fighting against a legal campaign backed by thousands of Sheffield voters with PUBLIC money! They should have backed down on this issue months ago and reached an acceptable settlement that both enhances and protects the existing stock of street trees. Instead they are sailing headlong against the tide of public opinion and simply trying to prop up their own soon-to-be untenable positions! Shame on Labour led SCC under Julie Dore. Embarrassments to both the supposed democratic process and the city all of them.” So the fight continues….. All campaigners are requesting, is compliance with the good practice guidance and recommendations SCC claim to comply with. NJUG; UKRLG; NTSG; BS5837; BS3998; BS8545; NTSG UKFS; TDAG. If SCC were actually compliant with the above, they would have devised alternative highway specifications to allow the safe retention of our valuable highway trees. And they would be monitoring and enforcing Amey’s standards of work, such that reckless damage to trunks and roots by inappropriate use of a planing machine were avoided. What we are asking for is reasonable. Thank you to everyone for your continued support and efforts. Campaign updates are always available on the STAG facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/392913244219104/ AFOOFA! SORT