What is The Mersey Forest?
The Mersey Forest is a growing network of woodlands and green spaces spread across Cheshire and Merseyside, which has been creating 'woodlands on your doorstep' since 1994.
The Forest is one of the leading environmental regeneration initiatives in the North West. Through community and partnership working, we have planted more than 8 million trees – equivalent to five new trees for every person living within the Forest area.
Praised as a “visionary concept”, our 'more from trees' approach brings a whole range of environmental, health and economic benefits to the region. The Forest helps our towns and cities adapt to climate change and has won the Brian Redhead Award for Environmental Sustainability, creates woodlands that 20% of local people visit at least once a week, and by improving the image of our towns and cities sets the scene for growth within the region's £98 billion economy.
We achieve all of this and more through our partnership of seven local authorities (Cheshire West and Chester, Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St.Helens & Warrington), landowners, the Forestry Commission, Natural England and businesses including United Utilities.
A little background...
The Mersey Forest was launched in 1994 as part of the national network of 12 Community Forests, of which it is the largest, covering 465 square miles of Merseyside and North Cheshire.
The Forest is home to 1.5 million residents %ndash; and lots of wildlife too.
Set out in the 30-year Mersey Forest Plan, our target is to plant 8,000 hectares of new woodland, an area the size of York, delivering a host of environmental,social and economic benefits.
Our five facts
1. Through community and partnership working, we have planted more than 8 million trees.
2. To date more than 6,000 hectares of new woodland and improved habitats have been achieved, an area 500 times the size of Wembley Stadium.
3. Since 1994, more than 70% of the woodlands in The Mersey Forest have been brought into management to secure their long-term future.
4. For every £1 invested in The Mersey Forest, £8 of outputs is generated, thanks to the way we maximise our funding.
5. 60% of people living in The Mersey Forest use their local woodlands – with nearly 20% visiting at least once a week.
Click 'play' below to see just one example of the Forest in action: