UK to Plant 20 Million Trees in First National Forest in 30 Years

The first national forest in the United Kingdom in 30 years will cover at least 6,200 acres and involve the planting of 20 million trees, the government announced on Friday.

Trees for the Western Forest will be planted across Somerset, Gloucestershire, Bristol and Wiltshire by 2050, a press release from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said.

“The Government was elected on a mandate to plant three new national forests this parliament, as part of our commitment to reach net zero and drive sustainable growth under the Government’s Plan for Change,” Nature Minister Mary Creagh said in the press release. “We will plant 20 million trees in the Western Forest to bring nature closer to people, prevent flooding and support wildlife.”

The Western Forest will bring trees and woodlands closer to more than 2.5 million residents.

The Forest of Avon will spearhead the new forest, supported by up to $9.69 million in government funds over five years.

“The Forest of Avon is thrilled to have led a wonderfully diverse and engaged partnership to bring the Western Forest to life. This is about resource, funding and expertise coming directly to landowners, partners and communities, planting millions of trees in the right places. Together, we will enhance landscapes for all to enjoy, improving the lives of our 2.5 million residents and visitors to the region,” said Alex Stone, chief executive of Forest of Avon, England’s Community Forests.

The goal of the project is to create a network of forests by revitalizing existing woodlands and other important habitats “at a truly landscape scale” for wildlife and people.

“The new national forest will help the drive to net zero while promoting economic growth and creating jobs in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and across the West of England, as part of the Government’s Plan for Change. It will also help us meet our nature and legal environment targets including halting the decline of species and protecting 30% of land for nature by 2030,” the press release said.

Over 73 percent of the planned Western Forest area is farmland, meaning it will give farmers an opportunity to integrate trees into the agricultural landscape through farm woodlands and agroforestry.

“These tree habitats can regenerate the soil and improve resilience to flooding and drought delivering multiple environmental, economic, and social benefits, without compromising food production, supporting the Government’s Land Use Framework,” the press release said.

The National Forest Company, manager of the National Forest, will mentor the new Western Forest project team.

“The National Forest Company is delighted to see the announcement of the Western Forest as the first of the government’s new national forest commitments,” said John Everitt, chief executive of the National Forest, in the press release. “This initiative builds on the success of the National Forest in the Midlands, where planting more than 9.8 million trees has transformed the landscape, benefitting wildlife, communities and the economy.

“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,” Everitt said.

The Western Forest will also contribute to the government’s target of increasing tree and woodland cover in England to 16.5 percent by 2050.

“Our countryside and woodlands are a source of great national pride, and today’s announcement is a further example of this government delivering for nature, following historic announcements on the wild release and management of beavers in England, a new approach to neonicotinoid pesticides on crops grown in England and new measures to strengthen our protected areas and meet 30×30,” the press release said.