The vision set out in the Plan is to:
- Double tree cover across the West of England by 2050, with 8,000 ha new woodland created and cared for
- Create 580ha of native woodland to close connectivity gaps in the Nature Recovery Network by 2050.
- Plant one tree for every person in the West of England (that is 1.1 million trees, or around 650ha) by 2030, and repeat this in the decades up to 2040 and 2050.
- Establish at least 1,000ha of new woodland habitat through natural processes by 2050.
- Support the creation of open wooded landscapes and mosaic habitats, including wood pasture and areas where natural processes are allowed to unfold (‘rewilding’).
- Contact all woodland owners to support them in managing their woodlands and creating new woodland, with at least 1,000 more hectares of woodland having approved management plans (including approved low intervention wildlife plans) and/or felling licences by 2030.
- Ensure all woodland Sites of Special Scientific Interest are in favourable condition by 2030.
- Improve the presence and management of trees in farmed areas, including through hedgerows, orchards, and agroforestry.
- Plant individual and small groups of trees in 6,000 streets and green spaces, within 500m of where people live, by 2050.
- Ensure all new developments have green (and where possible, tree-lined) streets.
- Be operating an accredited pathway to work in woodland management and planting by 2025.
- Develop a single evidence base identifying the priority areas for woodland creation in the West of England
The Plan sets out detailed actions for each of the 22 Landscape Character Areas across the region. It also sets out Principles to guide delivery and a 5 year Action Plan, suggested flagship projects and available funding mechanisms.
The Forest of Avon Trust will now lead on drawing together partnerships to accelerate action for transformational change in the next 5-10 years, for people, wildlife, the climate and our future.
The Vision and Goals