History of Community Forests
The Community Forest programme was established in 1990 by the then Countryside Commission as a pilot project to demonstrate the potential contribution of environmental improvement to economic and social regeneration.
The three initial pilots quickly grew to a national programme, which made use of broad-based partnerships to pioneer activity and deliver lasting change.
In today’s climate emergency, the Forests and their role in helping us mitigate and adapt to a changing world are more relevant than ever before.
Community Forest Case Studies
Ravenshall School
White Rose Forest.
Trees for Climate, Year 4.
Planting edible hedgerows and trees at a special school in Dewsbury.
Eastham Country Park
The Mersey Forest.
Trees for Climate, Year 4.
Community work together to introduce more trees to popular country park.
Shaw Forest Park
Great Western Community Forest
Trees for Climate, Year 4.
Partnership working to increase community woodland at Shaw Forest Park in Swindon.
Bodmin Park
Forest of Mercia.
Trees for Climate, Year 4.
Two days on planting in Bodmin Park
Flitwick Nature Park
Forest of Marston Vale.
Trees for Climate, Year 4.
A new community space for people and nature.
Court Farm
Forest of Avon.
Trees for Climate, Year 4.
9.4ha site situated in Somerset, part of the Forest of Avon.
Union Close
City of Trees.
Trees for Climate, Year 4.
City of Trees worked with social housing provider, Onward Homes, to plant woodlands at three of their sites in Greater Manchester.
Coxmoor Golf Club
Greenwood Community Forest.
Trees for Climate, Year 4.
Increasing woodland and healthy wood pasture habitat with volunteers.
Highfield House
Humber Forest.
Trees for Climate, Year 4.
Creating a haven for wildlife on neighbouring land.
Lower Knole Farm / Co-forest
Forest of Avon.
Trees for Climate, Year 2.
Creating the first ‘flagship’ forest with Co-forest in Almondsbury, Bristol.
Newcastle Airport
North East Community Forest.
Trees for Climate, Year 2.
More than 8,000 native trees and shrubs planted in partnership with Newcastle International Airport.
Pavers Foundation Forest
White Rose Forest.
Trees for Climate, Year 2.
1170 native trees were planted and a wildflower meadow and wetland area created by local volunteers on this 1.2 hectare site near York.