The UK government has announced the creation of a new national forest, stretching from the Cotswolds to the Mendips, which will see 20 million trees planted across the West of England over the coming decades. This ambitious project, known as the Western Forest, will create at least 2,500 hectares of new woodland, serving over 2.5 million residents and bringing trees and woodlands closer to urban centers such as Bristol, Gloucester, and Swindon.
The Western Forest is a key part of the government’s commitment to planting three new national forests, as outlined in its manifesto. This project will not only help drive the country towards net zero but also promote economic growth, create jobs, and support wildlife conservation.
The Forest of Avon, one of England’s Community Forests, will spearhead the Western Forest project, with support from up to £7.5 million of government funding over five years. The project will work to revitalize existing woodlands and other important habitats, creating a forest network for people and wildlife at a truly landscape scale.
Nature Minister Mary Creagh emphasized the government’s commitment to reaching net zero and driving sustainable growth, stating, “We will plant 20 million trees in the Western Forest to bring nature closer to people, prevent flooding, and support wildlife.”
Alex Stone, Chief Executive of Forest of Avon, England’s Community Forests, expressed excitement about the project, saying, “This is about resource, funding, and expertise coming directly to landowners, partners, and communities, planting millions of trees in the right places.”
The National Forest Company, which manages the National Forest, will provide expertise and mentorship to the Western Forest project team. National Forest Chief Executive John Everitt OBE noted, “The Western Forest was selected because of its ability to demonstrate a similar scale of ambition, with trees and woods supporting growth and farming while enhancing nature’s recovery and access to green space.”
The Western Forest project aims to create a greener, more connected landscape with trees and woodlands at its heart, delivering a resilient future that benefits the economy, nature, and both rural and urban communities. The project will also support farmers across the region to integrate trees into the farmed landscape through agroforestry and farm woodlands, promoting multiple environmental, economic, and social benefits without compromising food production.
By 2030, the Western Forest aims to create at least 2,500 hectares of woodland and other tree habitats across five strategic priority areas, contributing to the delivery of the government’s statutory tree and woodland cover target to increase tree and woodland cover to 16.5% of England by 2050.
