25 years of growth


2019 marks 25 years since the Plan for the Mersey Forest was approved by government. The Plan set out a long-term vision to transform Merseyside and North Cheshire through planting trees and then encouraging communities to make use of these new woodlands right on their doorstep.

We began in the 1980s when our area was blighted by large-scale derelict land caused by industrial decline. Today, much of that land is now transformed into community woodland, providing new areas of open access for hundreds of thousands of people.

Graphic: we've planted over 9 million trees in Merseyside and North Cheshire
  • We have achieved three times more tree planting than the England average
  • We have created over 3,000 hectares of woodland – that’s the same as 4,322 full-sized football pitches, or 24,000 Olympic swimming pools
  • We’ve worked with more than half the schools in Merseyside and North Cheshire
  • 65% of people say their environment has improved because of our work
  • The 9 million trees we have planted have absorbed 524,574 tonnes of carbon – a clear impact on climate change
Our 25 year anniversary campaign will run throughout the rest of 2019. The campaign will focus on raising awareness of the new woodlands on people’s doorsteps – providing ways that people can visit and enjoy these spaces with their family over the coming summer months, and as the trees turn to autumn. 

We will be encouraging people to go and find the 95 species of trees that we’ve planted, with an A-Z of trees that families can enjoy, and will be collecting 1,000 stories of how the new trees have benefited families, wildlife, businesses and more. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter – we're using the hashtag #MerseyForest25.
 
We want to thank every single person who has volunteered time to help us plant, in every weather – and gone home with muddy wellies and cold hands. And to thank every partner organisation that has been involved – together we have created wonderful spaces that we can see every day and which will benefit local communities for generations to come.

What's next?

Growing The Mersey Forest is even more important now than 25 years ago. We've shown how trees and woodlands boost our local economy, improve our health and wellbeing and increase community spirit. Now we face the additional challenge of the climate emergency and the urgent need to plant many millions more trees in our area. 

You can help...

1. Support your local woodland

Join one of our many 'Friends' groups that help to manage and improve woodlands. Not one for your local wood? We can support you to start one.

2. Tell us where to plant trees

Our Plan is always evolving and we need your input. Use our online tool to tell us where you think trees should be planted. 

3. Sign up as a supporter

We're going to be asking our supporters to lend us their voices to help us raise the profile of The Mersey Forest and to encourage local councils and landowners to make tree planting a priority. Sign up now to be involved in our campaign.

Thank you for
your support