Innovative approaches to tackling the greatest threats facing trees and forests are set to be boosted by new government funding, with applications for the Forestry Commission-delivered Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds and the Tree Production Innovation Fund reopening today (March 8).
This year, almost £4.5 million will be allocated to successful applicants across both funds, which together will boost nature regeneration efforts, promote biodiversity, and support innovative approaches to tree health, resilience and production amidst a changing climate.
Investing in the long-term welfare of forests will underpin wider efforts to treble tree planting rates by the end of this Parliament and plant 30,000ha of trees across the UK per year by 2025.
Approximately 40% of England’s woodlands are not actively managed, which can be detrimental to biodiversity and leave neglected woodlands vulnerable to pests and disease
Chair of the Forestry Commission, Sir William Worsley said:
“As we enter an unprecedented era of tree planting, fostering resilient tree growth and management will be essential to realise the health, economic and ecological benefits that trees offer – now and in the future.
“Both funds will drive innovation across the forestry and associated sectors to ensure our much loved trees and forests continue to thrive for generations to come in the face of a changing climate.”
