• A new Western Forest spanning three regions is set to be created – the first ‘national forest’ in more than 30 years spanning Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and West of England (Bristol, Bath & NE Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset).
• In its first five years, the new national forest will plant at least 2,500 hectares of new woodland and other tree habitats, with 20 million trees to be planted by 2050.
• As part of the Government’s Plan for Change, the forest will support its net zero commitments and is an important step in achieving Government’s manifesto commitment to build three new National Forests this parliament.

The Western Forest will deliver landscape-scale change and real green investment in people and nature across three regions (Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and the West of England). Serving over 2.5 million people, the new forest will bring a collaborative approach to nature recovery, working with landowners, businesses and local communities to make it happen.

The Western Forest 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. It is the result of a successful regional partnership bid led by the Forest of Avon with support from the Natural History Consortium, the region’s councils and Great Western Community Forest, with more than 40 organisations lending their support including the West of England Combined Authority.

The new forest will bring communities and woodlands closer together as part of the Government’s Plan for Change and help England reach its target of increasing woodland cover to 16.5% by 2050 and support the government’s nature targets including halting the decline of species and protecting 30% of land for nature.

The new national forest will enable existing partnerships to accelerate activity under a mission, by presenting a unified vision for large-scale woodland creation and restoration that connects these three regions. Over the first five years, new priority areas will be brought into scope through this new national forest to maximise social, economic and environmental benefits.

These five priority areas, from the rolling hills of the Cotswold National Landscape and Mendips to vibrant urban centres like Bristol, Gloucester and Swindon, identify the greatest opportunities and benefits for nature and people. Alongside accelerating tree-planting in local areas, the project will work to revitalise existing woodlands and other important habitats to create a forest network for people and wildlife at a truly landscape scale.

It will serve over 2.5 million local residents, bringing trees and woodlands closer to where people live. The forests will work with both rural and urban communities, working across new collaborations to create transformational programmes focused on volunteering, health, education and access.

The Western Forest will also enable the new homes and infrastructure needed across the area, facilitating the creation of publicly accessible green space alongside development and helping to mitigate flood risks for new communities. In its rural areas, the forest will work with farmers in a predominately agricultural landscape to demonstrate how trees on farms and farm woodlands can deliver multiple environmental, economic, and social benefits, without compromising food production.

Alex Stone, chief executive, Forest of Avon Trust, 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. Together, we will enhance landscapes for all to enjoy, improving the lives of our 2.5 million residents and visitors to the region.

“Encompassing two of England’s Community Forests and working alongside the National Forest Company and Defra, the Western Forest will enhance, connect and improve our urban and rural landscapes, support investment into the region, create jobs and skills opportunities and bring the endless benefits we get back from planting and caring for our trees. It is a very exciting time for this region, and we look forward to helping shape what the Western Forest will become."

Savita Willmott, Chief Executive of the Natural History Consortium, said: “The new national forest will serve over 2.5 million local residents, and we will put people and wellbeing at the heart of our transformation plans. Our Western Forest will support communities across our urban centres including Bristol, Bath and Swindon. Our priorities for improving access to nature will boost health as well provide thousands of opportunities for building green skills, volunteering, and supporting the regional economy in local areas. We can’t wait to get started!”

Joanna Lewis, Chief Executive of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, said: “Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is delighted that Western Forest has been selected as the new national forest. This creates a huge opportunity to support farmers across the region to integrate trees into the farmed landscape through agroforestry and farm woodlands that can regenerate the soil and improve resilience to flooding and drought. By supporting urban and rural communities to create new woodlands, Western Forest can also help people struggling with mental health challenges to sow the seeds of their own resilience.”

The Western Forest is the first new national forest confirmed as part of government action to boost nature and tree-planting, achieve net zero by 2050 and create new green jobs. Its concept and development has been funded by Defra and supported by the National Forest Company. The National Forest Company will provide its support and experience to help the development of the Western Forest.

Achieving the planting of 20 million trees by 2050 will mean that they could absorb approximately 2.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide and also help reach the Government’s net zero and nature targets including halting the decline of species and protecting 30% of land for nature by 2030.

Find out more and follow the project on the Forest of Avon website: https://forestofavon.org/western-forest/