Find out about the work of the two North West Community Forests and other community woodland initiatives.
Other community woodland initatives
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Community Forests

The Mersey and Red Rose Forests are the two largest Community Forests in England and the only ones to have a shared boundary. With a collective area over 700 square miles and about 5 million people living either within or adjacent to the Forests, they cover 15% of the total land area of the North West and serve 70% of its population.


The two Forests were established separately in 1992 with Government-approved 30-to 40-year-plans.  Each has a small core team who facilitate the delivery of the Forest Plans, which are implemented by wide ranging partnerships involving public, private and voluntary sector organisations, including 15 local authorities.  They provide a focus for involving people in regenerating the land in and around Liverpool and Manchester to make a healthy and productive environment in which to live and work.

  • The Mersey and Red Rose Forests have increased new woodland creation rates by a factor of 10.
  • Over 3600 hectares of new woodland have been planted.
  • 70% of all the woods in the Forests have been brought under management (UK average of 30%).
  • Over 1500 hectares of non-woodland habitat have been created or brought into management, mostly through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. This includes species-rich grasslands, heathland, ponds and hedgerows.
  • Public access to over 2700 hectares of woodland in the Forest areas has been created.
  • Since 1995 nearly 30,000 community events have been held.
  • Nearly £62 million of investment has been channelled into delivering the objectives of the Forest Plans since 1996.
  • Over 150 new jobs have been directly created in delivering the Forest Plans and other local jobs and services safeguarded.       

The Forests have a proven track record in innovation and good practice:

  • Pioneering projects in landfill and brownfield development for community woodland.
  • Green Streets concept and software for use by community groups to green urban areas.
  • Community Forest Trusts established for both Mersey and Red Rose Forest to tap into funds for community forestry - Mersey Forest Company Ltd and Red Rose Forest Company Ltd.
  • An award-winning Community Contracting Initiative, now used as a model for getting community involvement in local land management.       

From 2004, Community Forest North West Ltd was established in order to coordinate and carry out activities across both Community Forest areas.  The Community Forests continue to be involved in carrying out demonstration projects with Natural England, to try out new ideas and to showcase best practice.