Development of a new Community Forest, supported by Defra's Nature for Climate Fund (NCF)

This is an expression of interest.

Trees are at the forefront of the Governments plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 to help to bend the curve of biodiversity loss and to create thousands of green jobs while better connecting people with nature.

Englands Community Forests, supported by the Nature for Climate Fund are central to delivery of Englands tree planting aspirations. Through their Trees for Climate programme they are delivering over 6700 hectares of new trees and woodlands by 2025 in and around our major towns and cities.

In 2021 three new Forests (North-East, Plymouth & South Devon, Cumbria Coastal) were created to expand Englands network of Community Forests to 13 partnerships.

There is now the opportunity to create a further two new Community Forests. A briefing for all interested parties will be held on 14 June 2023. There will then be a seven-week period to prepare and submit a formal Expression of Interest to be received by 28 July 2023.

The expectation is that the two new Community Forests will be launched in November and they will contribute woodland creation to the Trees for Climate tree planting programme for the next two years and for the period beyond 2025.

Please refer to the Chest for supporting documents and how to apply. www.the-chest.org.uk