Volunteers and environmental organizations planted more than 109,000 trees across Lancashire over the past year, creating woodlands, orchards, and micro-forests equivalent in area to 154 football pitches to boost local biodiversity and combat climate change.
Communities, landowners, and conservation groups have transformed landscapes throughout Lancashire by planting over 109,000 trees in the last year. The initiative represents a massive collaborative push by the Lancashire Woodland Partnership, which brings together local authorities, environmental charities, and more than 1,200 volunteers to restore regional habitats.
Lancashire Woodland Partnership Drives Half a Million Trees Into the Ground
The recent planting wave is part of a larger, sustained effort across the county. Nearly half a million trees have gone into the ground across Lancashire over the past two planting seasons alone. The latest single season accounted for 271,418 trees, while the partnership has planted almost 500,000 trees and more than 27,233 metres of new hedges across the last two tree-planting seasons.
This work goes beyond standard timber planting. Volunteers and project partners established 61 new orchards and 17 new micro-forests containing 22,675 trees. Crews also installed more than 27,233 meters of new hedgerows, creating vital wildlife corridors.
Collaborative Roots Across Councils and Conservation Groups
The partnership combines the resources and expertise of multiple public bodies and environmental charities. Participating organizations include Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council, the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, the Ribble Rivers Trust, the Forestry Commission, and the Woodland Trust.
Farmers, woodland managers, and private landowners remain central to the initiative. Partnership members provide expert guidance, funding opportunities, and practical support to help establish trees and restore degraded land. The wider planting effort also feeds into the regional Northern Forest initiative, which aims to expand tree cover from Liverpool to Hull.
Weighing Environmental Progress Against Historic Deforestation
Despite the rapid addition of hundreds of thousands of saplings, Lancashire faces a long-term deficit in natural canopy. Trees currently cover just 10.34 percent of the county, leaving the region with one of the lowest levels of tree cover in the country.
Officials emphasize that the current wave of planting directly supports the Lancashire Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Proponents argue that expanding these green spaces yields benefits that stretch far beyond simple carbon accounting.
These new woodlands, orchards, hedgerows and micro-woods will leave a lasting legacy for Lancashire, supporting wildlife, helping tackle climate change, improving people’s wellbeing and creating greener places for future generations to enjoy.
The partnership is actively encouraging additional landowners and community groups to come forward. Organizers are currently fielding inquiries from residents and property owners looking to establish micro-woods, restore local habitats, or plant new orchards on available land.