Forest occupation

How to occupy a forest? A guide to a succesful forest occupation or tree sit in 11 steps.

This guide is also available in PDF format (in Dutch).

Introduction

Do you want to prevent a forest or a group of trees from being cut down, and have you already tried all other means (such as lobbying, legal action, and collecting signatures)? Then climb a tree. As long as people are in the trees, they can't be cut down—it's as simple as that. But how do you organize such a forest occupation?

1. You need at least one person that goes all in

Someone who wants to build up knowledge of the case, makes a plan, and keeps the group together. In short, someone (or a small group) willing to take responsibility. That takes time and means putting all your other projects on hold for a while. If everyone is only half-committed, it won’t work. But you can’t do it alone either.

2. Do exploratory research

Check local media, the websites of the municipality and the province for issued permits and decisions, the websites of neighborhood groups, and those of your opponent. Never rely solely on rumors or stories from a single source. Try to verify whether information about an upcoming forest clearance is accurate, and make an informed assessment.

3. Build up a network

Connect with local residents and other community allies—ideally, over a cup of coffee. A face-to-face conversation is far more effective than emails, posters, or social media posts. It’s crucial to find local people who are willing to support your forest occupation, speak positively about you in the neighborhood, share local knowledge, and provide practical help, such as bringing food or lending building materials. Ask them whether your understanding of the situation is correct—but rely on your own research too, as even locals can be mistaken or have different interests.

4. Scout the forest thoroughly

Don’t just look for a tree that’s suitable for a treehouse—also check things like access and exit routes, whether there are nearby houses that might support you (or where people might be disturbed by your presence), how the forest is used (e.g., by hikers), what the groundwater level is (which areas might flood), and whether there is any sensitive flora or fauna you want to avoid disturbing. Compare maps from municipal permits with what you see on the ground—what area is actually slated for logging, and where the boundaries lie.

5. Warm up actions

Depending on whether you expect the forest clearance to be announced in advance or carried out unexpectedly, it can be very helpful to organize some public actions before starting your forest occupation. These allow you to show your most approachable side and ease local residents' fears of 'troublemakers in their forest.' It also sends a warning to your opponents, giving them a chance to reconsider their plans. Plus, it helps attract more activists to the forest. This can be as simple as organizing a forest clean-up, a climbing workshop, or a community picnic. However, in some cases, you'll need to prepare everything in secret—open preparations might panic the forest owner into starting the logging early.

6. Plan the first days of occupation

Gather enough people who can commit to being there for at least a few days. Collect enough materials for simple tree platforms (such as rope, tarps, tools, sleeping mats, and climbing gear) that you can get up into the trees within a day. Also stock up on enough provisions to last for several days. Make sure you can get the first people into the trees within a few hours. The fewer people and materials left on the ground, the harder it will be for the police to disrupt the action. Agree on clear task divisions in advance—aside from climbers and a ground crew, assign someone to speak with the media and authorities. And don’t forget someone to talk to local residents before and during the action, asking for their support and building goodwill.

7. Announcement and wishlist

Set a clear moment to go public with your action, and have a plan B in case you're 'discovered' earlier than expected. Prepare a concise and compelling statement explaining why you’re occupying the forest, who you are, how people can help, and how you intend to win. Think about all the materials you'll need and create a wish list. This not only invites people to donate money but also to bring supplies. Essential: find a nearby place to store valuables, charge equipment, and—if possible—take a warm shower.

8. Golden tip: plan a meeting schedule beforehand

For example: a quick work briefing in the morning and a campaign meeting at night. Decide who will prepare and facilitate these meetings. Assign everyone a task and a role that suits them. Stick to the agreed structure and ask people who just want to hang around to leave. This also applies to anyone displaying behavior that drives others away or creates an unsafe environment.

9. Make an occupation schedule

It may sound paradoxical, but it’s important that people don’t turn the action camp into their home. Because of the high risk of police repression, a forest occupation is not the right place for community-building or (semi-)permanent shelter. Make this clear in advance so that people don’t join with the wrong expectations. Even better: encourage people to organize themselves into affinity groups and take on shifts as a group (for more information, see the Affinity Group Guide).

10. Legal support

Arrange both a criminal lawyer and a civil lawyer in advance. The latter will be essential for dealing with camping bans and other civil law obstacles the authorities may come up with. Set up a legal team that can keep track of who is present at the camp over the course of several weeks (for liability purposes).

11. Keep focus on your comrades

You don’t protect a forest with treehouses alone. If you end up as just a small group of shivering activists in the trees, without public support, you become an easy target for police repression.

Ultimately, the battle for the forest is won outside the forest—when the party responsible for the logging changes their mind. You need public support, which you gain through a positive image in the local media, strong relationships with key community figures, and, if possible, political allies. Public support is your shield against police violence, your source of crucial information, and your guarantee of continued resources and solidarity. Building support is hard work and requires a smart strategy. Stay focused until the end—support can disappear quickly.

Finally, your most important ally is, of course, the forest itself. Treat it with respect. A forest occupation can have a major impact on nature. Only begin one if all other options have been exhausted—and keep it as short as possible.

Finally

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This guide is part of the ‘Toolbox for Movements’. This toolbox contains more short digital guides, offering fundamental knowledge about strategy, movement building, campaigning, and organizing.

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