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Led by the Forest of Avon, the new ‘Western Forest’ will span Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, the West of England area and North Somerset – the first national forest in more than 30 years.
Weston-super-Mare has been identified as one of the priority urban areas that will receive support to increase tree planting.
The project also seeks to connect woodlands, which is important for the region’s biodiversity, woodland health and carbon storage. This supports North Somerset Council’s green infrastructure objectives of connecting woodlands from north of the district to the south and along the Mendip Hills – and will lead to more tree planting across the area.
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.
The new forest will also 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.
Achieving the planting of 20 million trees by 2050 will mean that they could absorb approximately 2.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide and 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.
Cllr Annemieke Waite, Executive Member for climate, waste and sustainability at North Somerset Council said: “We are delighted that North Somerset is part of this new National Forest. This will help support our long-term goals of increasing tree cover which will help us address both the climate and nature emergency that we are facing. Trees help cool us, absorb pollution, make places look more beautiful, are havens for wildlife and absorb carbon – what’s not to love about having more trees in our area?”
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 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!”
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, North Somerset Council alongside the region’s other councils and Great Western Community Forest, with more than 40 organisations lending their support including the West of England Combined Authority.
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 have 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.