Community forests in England facts for kids
England's Community Forests have been working for almost 30 years. They are changing the look of areas around big towns and cities. These groups help bring trees and people together. They create healthy and inspiring places for everyone, including nature.
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England's Community Forests
England's Community Forests are ten special groups. They work with many partners like local councils, businesses, and volunteers. Most importantly, they work with local communities. Their main goal is to connect people with trees. They want to create green spaces where both humans and nature can thrive.
Why Are They Important?
These forests focus on areas in and around towns and cities. This is where most people live, work, and travel. It's also where green spaces are needed most. By planting trees and creating woodlands, they help in many ways:
- They improve people's wellbeing. Being in nature can make you feel happier and healthier.
- They help fight climate change. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, which is a gas that warms our planet.
- They create homes for wildlife. More trees mean more places for animals and plants to live.
- They link city dwellers to the wider countryside. This helps people explore and enjoy nature.
What Are Community Forests Like?
A Community Forest is not just one big woodland. Instead, it's a growing network of different trees, woods, and forests. These green spaces link up with existing woodlands. They also weave through urban areas. They wrap around communities, making towns greener and more natural.
The Ten Community Forests
There are ten Community Forests across England. Some of them cover parts of different counties. So, they are often listed by their region and main city. The table below shows where each forest is located. It also gives an idea of its size.
| Forest | Region | City | Area | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest of Avon | Bristol and Avon | Bristol | 221 square miles (570 km2) | [1] |
| Great Western Community Forest | Swindon and surrounding area | Swindon | 168 square miles (440 km2) | [2] |
| Greenwood Community Forest | West Nottinghamshire | Nottingham | 161 square miles (420 km2) | [3] |
| Forest of Marston Vale | Bedford to Milton Keynes | Bedford | 61 square miles (160 km2) | [4] |
| Forest of Mercia | Staffordshire and West Midlands | Birmingham | 92 square miles (240 km2) | [5] |
| Mersey Forest | Merseyside and North Cheshire | Liverpool | 420 square miles (1,100 km2) | [6] |
| City of Trees | Greater Manchester | Manchester | 492 square miles (1,270 km2) | [7] |
| HEYwoods | Kingston upon Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire | Hull | 957 square miles (2,480 km2) | [8] |
| Thames Chase | Bruntwood, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Thurrock and Essex | London | 40 square miles (100 km2) | [9] |
| White Rose Forest | Leeds City, North and West Yorkshire | Leeds | 4,124 square miles (10,680 km2) | [10] |
Who Supports Them?
The Community Forest Trust helps England's Community Forests. This trust is a national group that champions their work. They support the forests and help them achieve their goals. You can learn more about them on their website or Twitter.
