Press release: Lancashire Plants Over 220,000 Trees in Landmark Woodland Creation Season
Partnership celebrates success as communities, landowners, and conservationists unite to transform Lancashire’s landscape
Lancashire’s landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation this year, as over 220,000 new trees have taken root thanks to the collective efforts of landowners, volunteers, and conservation groups. The achievement is thanks to the Lancashire Woodland Partnership, a coalition of environmental organisations on a mission to restore nature, protect communities, and tackle climate change in one of England’s least wooded counties.
The partnership brings together the Forestry Commission, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Ribble Rivers Trust, Wyre Rivers Trust, United Utilities, the Woodland Trust, Groundwork CLM, Blackburn with Darwen Council, Blackpool Council, and Lancashire County Council. Working together, these organisations have combined resources, expertise, and local knowledge to ensure trees are planted where they will deliver the greatest benefits for wildlife, people, and the environment.
This joined-up approach has enabled the planting of over 223,000 trees during winter 2024/25, creating over 80 hectares of new woodland, 11,000 metres of new hedgerows, new orchards, trees in parks and along highways, and 25 new micro community forests. And collectively, this has involved over 6,000 volunteers, bringing health and well-being benefits and community buy into the new trees.
It marks an exceptional start for a partnership that only launched in 2023, and the momentum is set to continue. It also feeds into the wider Lancashire Local Nature Recovery Strategy, a county wide partnership made up of locally based environmental experts who are seeking to boost biodiversity and aid nature recovery.
Trees and woodlands bring countless benefits, and trees are a vital part of almost all ecosystems. Trees improve soil structure and soil health, reduce air pollution by taking in carbon dioxide and other harmful substances, and filter pollutants and sediments out of the water, helping to improve water quality in our rivers and seas.
Woodlands also provide vital habitat for birds, mammals, amphibians, and insects, while helping to connect existing landscapes so wildlife has the space it needs to thrive. For people, woodlands deliver Natural Flood Management (NFM) benefits to protect communities from flooding, as well as opportunities for outdoor recreation, improved wellbeing, and even new jobs in the forestry and environmental sectors.
Despite this success, Lancashire still has some of the lowest tree cover in the country at just 10.34%, so the work is far from over. The partnership is committed to building on this season’s achievements, guided by the Lancashire Woodland Plan and the wider Lancashire Local Nature Recovery Strategy. These strategies ensure tree planting is balanced with the creation of diverse habitats and the sustainable management of existing woodlands.
Farmers, landowners, and woodland managers remain at the heart of this process, supported by farm advice, funding opportunities, and hands-on help from the partnership and its volunteers. In addition to this, every tree planted in Lancashire will also contribute to the ambitious Northern Forest, which stretches from Liverpool to Hull.
The Lancashire Woodland Partnership is calling on landowners and communities to get involved in creating new woodlands and protecting Lancashire’s natural heritage. Together, we can secure a greener, healthier, and more resilient future for wildlife and people.
Rivers are at the heart of our local landscapes. Whether you’re casting a line, exploring a riverside trail, or simply basking in the beauty of nature, you can help protect these special places now, and for generations to come.
By becoming a Ribble Rivers Trust supporter for just £3 a month, you’ll be funding real, on-the-ground action.
Ready to make a difference? Learn more here: ribbletrust.org.uk/become-a-supporter
