Charity hopes to plant 100,000 tree forest near Bristol

A charity is hoping to plant a 100,000 tree forest to combat climate change.

Lower Chew Forest would be bigger than Leigh Woods and the Downs in Bristol, and 12 times the size of Royal Victoria Park in Bath, when put together with adjoining woodland.

Dave Wood, from Avon Needs Trees, described the plans as the "biggest opportunity in a generation".

A fundraiser is under way to help the plans, which are yet to be approved by the Forestry Commission.

Some 420 acres of land between Bath and Bristol would be planted with 100,000 trees as part of the scheme.

"When Wick Farm came onto the market we knew we had to act," Mr Wood said.

"It's rare for such a large amount of land to come up in one go, particularly somewhere like Compton Dando which is so close to Bristol and Bath, and we know that biodiversity recovery is far more effective across a large area." 

According to Mr Wood, the West of England has just 7.8% woodland cover, compared to the 13.2% average across the UK.

It is hoped that increasing this cover would help to tackle climate change, improve biodiversity and offer opportunities for people to volunteer, learn and connect with nature.

Since its was formed in 2019, Avon Needs Trees has planted 35,000 native trees in the Somerset and Wiltshire countryside.

Grant funds and impact focus loans will be used to cover a portion of the cost, but the charity is seeking £100,000 to help buy the land and plant the trees.

It hopes to raise the money through crowdfunding, and has raised more than £11,000 so far.

Those who make a donation are invited to sponsor a 3 sq m block of land, and each contributor will receive a what.three.words location for the patch they have sponsored.  

Follow BBC West on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [email protected]