- Lewes Town Council in East Sussex has unanimously passed a municipal Tree Charter, becoming the first town in England to officially grant rights to its local flora.
- The charter formally recognises the intrinsic value of all local trees, hedgerows, and forests, declaring their right to flourish and maintain natural ecological processes.
- The decision aligns the town with the global rights of nature movement, following similar national legislation in countries such as Bolivia, Panama and New Zealand.
- While the charter does not create binding legal powers, proponents hope it will drive a cultural shift and provide leverage against felling requests and unwanted developments.
- Environmental groups are now collaborating with neighbouring councils across the River Ouse catchment area to adopt similar rights-of-nature frameworks.
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