A new national forest is to be planted between the Cotswolds and the Mendips, the first of its kind in 30 years, the government announced today (Friday, March 21).
The government stated it would be investing £7.5 million into the national forest over the next five years, which will see 20 million trees planted across the west of England in the coming decades.
The government said the announcement is a first step towards keeping its manifesto promise of creating three new national forests, and would bring woodlands closer to 2.5 million people who live in urban areas such as Bristol, Gloucester, and Swindon.
Minister for Nature, Mary Creagh 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.
“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 be supported by the Forest of Avon, one of England’s community forests.
By 2030, the government is aiming to have the Western Forest create at least 2,500ha of woodland and other tree habitats across five areas of priority, which the government hopes will contribute to its target of 16.5% tree and woodland cover of England by 2050.
For the whole of the UK, tree coverage currently stands at 13.2% according to the Woodlands Trust.
Chief executive of the Forest of Avon, Alex Stone said: ”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.”
Almost three-quarters of the forest’s areas is farmland, with the Western Forest looking to integrate trees into the farmed landscape through agroforestry and farm woodlands, improving soil resilience to flooding and drought.
