As the severity of the climate and ecological emergencies are recognised, and the importance of the natural environment to our health and wellbeing is better understood, there is increasing demand for new trees and woodlands both nationwide and in the West of England. However, to maximise the benefits that trees and woodlands can provide to people and nature, we need to ensure that we take a strategic approach to establishing new trees and woodland, and to managing our existing assets.
WENP and the Forest of Avon Trust have worked together to produce The Forest of Avon Plan: A Tree and Woodland Strategy for the West of England, which sets out a long-term, generational vision for trees and woodlands across the region: better managed and connected trees and woodland making a vital contribution to a thriving natural environment, society and economy in the West of England.
The Strategy includes an initial five-year action plan, strategic woodland areas in the West of England, principles to guide delivery of trees and woodland, and priorities for specific land areas. There is also an agreed aspiration of doubling the West of England’s semi-natural tree and woodland cover by 2050 – equivalent to an additional 8,000 ha of tree and woodland cover.
The Forest of Avon Plan: A Tree and Woodland Strategy for the West of England will be key in developing WENP’s vision for a West of England Nature Recovery Network. WENP will continue to provide a framework for partners to work together towards restoring nature in the West of England, including delivering the vision set out for trees and woodland.
More information on the Plan and how you can take action can be found on the Forest of Avon Trust’s website by following the link below.
