Volunteers have established new woodlands by planting more than 109,000 trees across Lancashire over the past year, according to BBC News. The effort involved over 1,200 volunteers from communities, landowners and environmental organisations, creating woodland across an area equivalent to 154 football pitches while also establishing 61 new orchards and 17 new micro-forests.
The Lancashire Woodland Partnership, which coordinates these efforts across the region, has now planted almost 500,000 trees over the last two planting seasons. According to Lancashire County Council, the 2025/26 season alone saw 271,418 trees planted, with the partnership's exact two-season total reaching 495,362 trees, including 223,944 planted in 2024/25. The initiative has also resulted in more than 27,233 metres of new hedges being established.
Lancashire County Councillor Joshua Roberts described the achievement as significant, noting that the woodlands were "supporting wildlife, helping tackle climate change, improving people's wellbeing." The Lancashire Telegraph reported that Roberts characterised planting more than 270,000 trees in a single season as a "tremendous achievement."
How does this fit into broader environmental goals?
The Lancashire Woodland Partnership brings together environmental organisations, local authorities, landowners, volunteers and communities to combine resources, expertise and local knowledge. The partnership strategically plants trees where they can deliver the greatest benefits for wildlife, people and the environment. Lancashire's woodland cover currently stands at 10.3%, and these planting efforts contribute to the Northern Forest project, which spans from Liverpool to Hull and aims to expand tree coverage across the North of England.
What are the partnership's next steps?
The partnership is actively encouraging more landowners to get in touch to explore how they can create new woodlands and restore habitats. By expanding participation among property owners and communities, the initiative aims to continue scaling up its tree-planting efforts in future seasons.
Key Facts
- Over 109,000 trees were planted in new woodlands across Lancashire in the past year, covering 98.76 hectares
- More than 1,200 volunteers from communities, landowners and environmental organisations participated in the planting
- The partnership has planted 495,362 trees over two seasons, along with 27,233 metres of new hedges
- The initiative created 61 new orchards and 17 new micro-forests, also known as Miyawaki woods
- Lancashire's woodland cover is 10.3%, and the project contributes to the Northern Forest initiative spanning Liverpool to Hull
