UK to Plant First National Forest in 30 Years

On Friday, the UK government announced the creation of a new national forest. The government manifesto committed to three new national forests, and this announcement marks the first significant step.

“The Western Forest” will see 20 million trees set to be planted across the West of England in the coming decades, creating at least 2,500 hectares (6,200 acres) of new woodland. The forest will serve over 2.5 million residents, bringing trees and woodlands closer to where people live, including in urban centers such as Bristol, Gloucester, and Swindon.

The project will be spearheaded by the Forest of Avon, one of England’s Community Forests supported by up to £7.5 million of government funding over five years alongside accelerating tree-planting in local areas. The project will work to revitalize existing woodlands and other important habitats to create a forest network for people and wildlife at a truly landscape scale.

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 the UK meet its nature and legal environment targets, including halting the decline of species and protecting 30% of land for nature by 2030.

In a statement, Minister of 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.”