England’s new national forest draws on our 30 years of proven expertise

Image

L-R: John Everitt OBE National Forest chief executive, Alex Stone, chief executive, Forest of Avon Trust, Alister Rankine chair of Forest of Avon Trust, Minister for Nature Mary Creagh CBE, Pam Gilder vice chair of Forest of Avon Trust.

Following a national competition run by the National Forest Company and Defra, the Western Forest has been selected as the winning project, led by the Forest of Avon Trust and wider partners.

Here in the Midlands, we’ve seen first-hand how a national forest can transform a landscape. Over the past three decades, we’ve transformed 200 square miles of post-industrial land into a thriving green space. We’ve planted more than 9.8 million trees, restored habitats, and invested in green infrastructure – bringing immense benefits for wildlife, people, and the economy. It’s been a long-held belief that our model for sustainability can, and should, be replicated elsewhere. The National Forest Company will manage the £7.5 grant over the next five years, providing support and advice to steer the project.

The Western Forest will build on this legacy with the same bold ambition. Spanning Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and the West of England (Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire), it will connect and enhance these three landscapes, bringing nature closer to 2.5 million residents. For the first five years, efforts will be concentrated in core areas of Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and the West of England.

The Western Forest is the result of an inspiring collaboration. The Forest of Avon Trust led the successful bid, bringing together more than 40 organisations, including the Natural History Consortium, local councils, and the Great Western Community Forest. This partnership has the backing of the West of England Combined Authority, reflecting a shared commitment to creating a greener, healthier region.

Alex Stone, chief executive of the Forest of Avon Trust, captured the scale of this ambition perfectly: “The Western Forest is about establishing millions of trees in the right place, creating a landscape for all to enjoy and benefit from, and improving the lives of our 2.5 million residents.”

The Western Forest will deliver wide-reaching benefits:

• Farming and the rural economy: Trees on farms will protect soils, reduce flood risks, and provide shade and shelter for livestock, offering farmers new diversification opportunities.
• Nature recovery: By creating and connecting woodlands, the forest will help halt species decline and contribute to the government’s goal of protecting 30 per cent of land for nature by 2030.
• Climate resilience: More tree planting will support the UK’s target of 16.5 per cent woodland cover by 2050, helping to store carbon, reduce flooding, and cool urban areas.
• Growth and development: Trees will support growth and development with the planning system being used to create green infrastructure and more trees in urban settings.  
• Health and wellbeing: More accessible green space means more opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors, boosting mental and physical health.
• Jobs and skills: The forest will create new jobs, support green businesses, and provide training in sustainable land management.

For us at the National Forest Company, this is an extraordinary moment. We’ve always believed that planting trees is about far more than creating forests – it’s about creating hope, opportunity, and resilience. Seeing the Western Forest take root with the same vision and passion is incredibly inspiring.

As John Everitt OBE, our chief executive, said: “The National Forest Company is delighted to see the announcement of the Western Forest. This initiative builds on the success of the National Forest in the Midlands, where tree planting has transformed the landscape, benefiting wildlife, communities, and the economy.”

At a time when tree planting across the country is gaining momentum, the Western Forest will show how woods and trees can be a catalyst for positive change. We’re excited to share our expertise, collaborate with new partners, and watch this new forest grow – bringing people and nature closer together, just as we’ve seen here in the National Forest.

Together, we’re planting a greener, more sustainable future for everyone.