THE GREAT WESTERN ROAD
£12.99Jenny Kumah and Malcolm Prior from the BBC News rural affairs team reported on the government’s plan to create a new Western Forest in the west of England. This initiative will involve planting 20 million trees and establishing 2,500 hectares of new woodland in areas such as Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, the Cotswolds, and the Mendips, as well as in urban regions like Bristol, Swindon, and Gloucester. The goal of the project is to contribute to the government’s commitment to achieving 16.5% woodland cover in England by 2050. However, with only 10% of tree cover achieved so far, environmental organizations stress the need for further action to reach tree-planting targets.
Recent research indicates that the total woodland area in the UK stands at 3.28 million hectares, representing 13% of the country’s total land area. In contrast, England only has a woodland cover of 10%. The UK aims to plant 30,000 hectares of woodland annually, yet the latest figures reveal that only approximately 21,000 hectares were planted, with the majority in Scotland and a mere 5,500 hectares in England. Andy Egan from the Woodland Trust noted the progress made in tree planting efforts but emphasized the necessity of continued government funding to sustain these initiatives. He highlighted the importance of long-term grant support for successful tree planting and management.
Alex Stone, CEO of the Forest of Avon Trust leading the Western Forest project, mentioned that some areas in the region currently have only 7% tree coverage. The project aims to increase canopy cover to 20% by 2050, with certain priority areas targeted to exceed 30% tree cover. Urban areas such as Bristol, Swindon, and Gloucester will be a focal point for the initiative. The government has pledged £7.5 million in public funds for the project over the next five years, with the expectation that it will aid the UK’s transition to net zero, boost economic growth, and generate employment opportunities in the region. Mary Creagh, the minister for nature, expressed optimism about the impact of the Western Forest on factors like water quality, flood resilience, wildlife, and public access to nature. She acknowledged the need for further action to meet England’s tree-planting goals but expressed confidence in the collaborative efforts of various sectors to achieve success. The Western Forest marks the first new national forest designated in England in three decades, following the establishment of the National Forest in Leicestershire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire, where nearly 9.8 million trees have been planted
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
