Western Forest

By expanding and connecting broadleaved woodlands, improving long-term woodland management and protecting mature woodland structures, we are able to support many vulnerable and iconic woodland species, rare plants, invertebrates, and fungi like these:

The Hazel Dormouse relies onwoodlands with dense undergrowth for nesting and foraging. Restoring woodland habitats with a rich variety of vegetation layers will enhance habitat quality for dormice, ensuring their fragmented populations can grow and thrive again.

The Pine Marten, recently reintroduced to the nearby Forest of Dean, is already present in the Western Forest area in Gloucestershire and moving towards the West of England (see Returning Species). These charismatic yet elusive animals thrive in woodlands with dense understory and ample deadwood, which supports their foraging and denning needs. Enhancing habitat connectivity will allow the natural spread of Pine Marten and establish resilient populations across the southwest.

Bechstein’s Bat is one of the UK’s  rarest bats, found almost exclusively in woodland habitat located in parts of southern England and south east Wales, and small numbers have been recorded hibernating in abandoned mines within the west of England. Bechstein’s bats are heavily dependent on inter-connected woodlands. Pregnant females form small maternity colonies which move between collections of woodland roosts. Both sexes rely on woodland trees for hibernating through the winter, tucking themselves away in sheltered spots such as empty woodpecker holes. The destruction of ancient mature forests along with intensive woodland management practices has led to a decline in Bechstein’s bat numbers.

Woodland fungi, including Satan's Bolete, Solitary Amanita, and Tiered Tooth Fungus, also rely on mature woodlands, particularly limestone woodlands, where they thrive in undisturbed soil conditions. Protecting these areas and supporting sustainable management will allow these fungi to continue playing a vital role in nutrient cycling and underpinning the wider ecosystem.

We will ensure that there is sufficient capacity to deliver projects by engaging skilled tree suppliers, contractors, and landowners. Building a robust five-year pipeline of initiatives will help maintain momentum and long-term confidence in delivery capacity.

We will continue to strengthen our partnerships and collaborations across the region. Farm clusters, local councils, and many other stakeholders and communities will be key to delivering the Western Forest’s ambitious targets for tree planting and woodland creation at scale across multiple counties.

We will be coordinating with a range of important initiatives already underway in the region:  

The Woodland Trust’s Emergency Tree Plan provides a framework for increasing tree cover and managing  our woodlands for future resilience.

The Forest of Avon Plan identifies key areas where new woodlands will have the greatest impact on biodiversity and climate resilience.

The Great Western Community Forest initiative, based in Swindon, contributes large-scale tree planting efforts across urban and rural areas, enhancing public access to nature whilst creating long term carbon sinks to future. It plays a vital role in the broader Western Forest initiative by contributing large-scale tree planting efforts.