The Forest of Avon is one of England's Community Forests, encompassing the trees and woodlands across Bristol, Bath and the West of England.
The Forest of Avon has existed for 30 years and the Trust was established 10 years ago to enable us to increase our work. We plant and care for trees, focussing on the wide ranging benefits they bring - for health and quality of life, air quality, flood prevention, biodiversity, recreation, soil quality and many others. We strive for everyone living and working in the region to have good access to trees and woodlands. We do a lot of work to benefit those living in areas of low tree cover and those who need support to access their local woodlands.
We like to get things done! Starting with £3,000 in 2009, we have delivered successful projects and activities worth £1.3 million of net cost value but a whole lot more in terms of social and environmental value.
We are currently delivering a Defra-funded large scale tree planting programme across the region - Trees for Climate - to lock up extra carbon and help our nation to reach net zero by 2050. We have many other projects ongoing and in early phases which are helping us to greatly advance our impact and the expansion of the Forest of Avon for all our benefit!
Keep reading on to see what we do, where we work and meet the team.
Want to talk to us? Email Alex at alex.stone@forestofavontrust.org
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We are proud of the work we have delivered over the last 10-years. This new infographic is a great summary, so please take a look.
We are passionate about trees because they deliver a huge range of benefits to people. Find out more here.
The community forest trail is a 46 mile continuous route taking in the four unitary authorities that the Forest of Avon serves,...
Watch Mike Dilger talk to a Forest School Leader, a health care professional, a local businessman and a woodland owner.
The Trust Office
Tree Dedication Woodlands
Great Woodlands to Visit
Trees for Communities
School & Street Orchards
Woodland Improvement & Planting
Health & Wellbeing
Jon has worked at a senior level in community forestry since 1989 and has been with the charity since it started in 2009. Jon is responsible for managing the charity, its finances & programmes; as a Landscape Architect & Town Planner, he also provides woodland planning, planting & management consultancy services.
Anna has worked in conservation since leaving college in 1994 and in woodland management since 2003. Anna runs our tree planting programme as well as other projects including Bristol's Greenstreets (with Bristol City Council), the Lyde Green - Overscourt project, Trees for Learning and provides woodland skills training.
Nicola was a biologist and botanist before training to be a Forest School leader. Nicola delivers our expanding Woodland wellbeing programme, running woodland activities tailored to the needs of people with dementia, learning difficulties and mental health issues.
Alex has recently joined our team after 8 years of charity work across Bristol and the wider region, including with a large nature conservation charity. Alex has previously set up new projects, nurtured partnerships and delivered year round nature activities. Alex works with business sponsors, partners and the wider community to promote and support our Ten Goals in Ten Years. Alex manages our communications networks and will be taking an increasing role in supporting our tree planting programme.
Jack has joined the Forest of Avon Trust to work with Anna and the team to plan and deliver our tree planting projects. After gaining a Master’s in Wild Animal Biology from the Royal Veterinary College in 2014, Jack spent a year as a trainee with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, managing nature reserves. After working on several community conservation projects and traditional orchards in London, Jack moved to Bristol to run Bristol City Council’s One Tree Per Child volunteer programme. Despite the pandemic he has led in the planting of 9,000 trees in parks and green spaces this season. Jack has a particular passion for orchards and fruit trees. Outside of work, Jack is a keen cyclist and rock climber, and generally loves being outdoors.
Jill has joined The Forest of Avon Trust in March 2021 as our Finance Officer. Jill is responsible for running the finances of the charity, including financial control and reporting of funding and grants. A Chartered Accountant, Jill has previously worked as Financial Controller for a Bristol subsidiary of a global marketing corporation. Along side this, she has been involved in various charities, including being the Honorary Treasurer for the Scientific Exploration Society and visiting local dementia homes with her dog for the charity Pets As Therapy. As an accountant, Jill has worked in a variety of industries, but is pleased to now be able to use her professional skills to support such a worthwhile conservation charity.
Jon has worked for/ with the Forest of Avon Trust since 2010 running Forest School training and wellbeing activities. He now combines running his own business with delivering our Level 1 Forest School training and school activities. Previously, Jon led a range of conservation groups in the Bristol area.
Jackie is a qualified teacher, forest school leader and trainer, an outdoor first-aider and has a PGDip in Education. Jackie runs Go Wild Education and we have worked with her since 2014 to run our Forest School Level 3 training. Prior to this, Jackie has worked for many of Bristol's green institutions including the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project, Bristol Zoo and the Wild Place Project.
Rachel has worked with us for 9 years delivering training and running woodland activities. Rachel works with Nicola Ramsden to deliver our Woodland Wellbeing activities for adults with learning disabilities, adults with mental health needs and people living with dementia and their carers.
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