Woodlands For Water

The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world and woodland cover in England currently stands at 10%.  53% of our woodland wildlife species are in decline. To fight climate change, the UK needs to plant 1.5 million hectares of woodland by 2050 to meet our carbon-neutral targets.  Trees have an essential role to play to tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis but they can also bring benefits to farm businesses by providing shelter and shade for livestock, improving boundaries, reducing soil loss and providing income from unproductive areas of land. 

The England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) is a new scheme from the Forestry Commission that pays for creating new woodlands. As a new scheme, it can be tricky for landowners to navigate however.

There are different funding options available for landowners to plant trees, including agroforestry, buffer strips along rivers or larger woodlands. The funding not only covers all the capital costs and maintenance of creating new native woodland, but also gives the landowner a lump sum payment to recognise the benefits that woodlands bring for nature and society.  We focus on facilitating landowners to apply to the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) Forestry Commission scheme and the Cumbria Community Forest. Our Woodland Officer, Caitlin Pearson, can give free advice and support to landowners helping them apply.

Woodlands for Water was developed by the Riverscapes Partnership, with support from Defra. In the first three years of the programme, West Cumbria Rivers Trust has facilitated the creation of 73Ha of new woodland. RAISE Cumbria Community Forest continue to support our woodland creation work, with funding from the Trees for Climate funding from Defra.

If you would like to plant trees or for further information, contact Caitlin on 07507 719469 or send her an email.