Pacific Spirit Marine Institute
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Robin Hood is seeking to grab money collected by the British National Lottery from the rich as well as the poor. Though this time he hopes to keep it for his own good cause.
A 50 million pound grant from the BIG Lottery is up for grabs. The National Lottery gives out money to good causes. The British National Lottery has awarded 280,000 grants so far. “Living Landmarks” was launched last year, a TV program aimed at communities across Britain to work together to improve life and the environment.
Last week the committee selected Sherwood Forest along with 4 other project for a shot at 100 Million grant. Viewers across the nation will cast their vote for the winner in December. Sherwood Forest has a clock counting down the days, minutes, and second until the BIG vote begins for the BIG Lottery money.
There are blogs and myspace sites seeking to gain steam for the beloved forest. Supporters of the Sherwood Forest Project can cast their votes via cell phones or computer when the time comes. Hopes are high that this money will go a long way to put the forest right again. Their goal is to transform Sherwood Forest into a world-class sustainable destination and inspirational community resource.
Once more than 100,000 acres, the Sherwood Forest spread from Nottingham shire to Sheffield; more than enough room to hide Robin and his merry band. Sadly, today the core of the forest is only about 450 acres.
The forest is in desperate need of being regenerated. Global warming, carving the land up for industry as well as residences are taking a toll on the once giant forest. There are currently only 997 ancient oaks left in the core of Sherwood Forest. Only about 450 of those oaks are still living.
The giant oaks live about 900 years, spending about 300 years growing and 300 of their remaining years slowly dying. Rangers in the Forest report that of those 450, only 250 are in good shape, 200 are in peril, and the rest are standing dead wood. The standing dead oaks are home to a vast array of forest creatures and are badly needed to maintain habitat for those creatures to survive and thrive.
Many historians believe that some of these standing oaks could have been seedlings when Robin Hood wed the lovely Maid Marion.
In the 13Th century 100,000 acres of Oaks may have provided Robin Hood plenty of room to hide with his merry band but 450 sad and declining acres won’t hide much these days.
If you were ever a child, I’ll bet you will be pulling for Robin Hood’s old haunting grounds to become the BIG Lottery winner.
Photo Thanks readwritethink.org
Labels: Ancient Oaks, British National Lottery, Giant Oaks, Global Warming, Robin Hood, Sherwood Forest
© 2009, Pacific Spirit Marine Institute.
Not Even Robin Hood Can Escape Global Warming!
