New forest announced for the South West

The government has announced the creation of a new Western Forest in the South West of England, spanning from the Cotswolds to the Mendips in Somerset.

The project aims to establish 2,500 hectares of woodland by 2030, with 20 million trees planted by 2050, benefitting the region’s 2.5 million residents. It will integrate trees into farmland, revitalise existing woodlands and bring nature closer to urban areas like Bristol, Gloucester and Swindon.

The Western Forest will be spearheaded by the Forest of Avon, one of England’s community forests, and supported by up to £7.5m of government funding over 5 years. The money will help create new woodland that connects established woods, as well as creating mixed habitat and supporting community planting in locations where trees can contribute to alleviating floods and slowing flows of water in storms.

The Minister for Nature, Mary Creagh, said:

“We will plant 20 million trees in the Western Forest to bring nature closer to people, prevent flooding and support wildlife.”

To find out more, visit the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ online news article: ‘Government to plant first National Forest in 30 years’.