Invest in the Western Forest

Invest in nature at landscape scale

Spades lying in the grass

Invest in the Western Forest

We’re building England’s newest national forest – 3,500 hectares of tree canopy connecting Gloucestershire, the West of England and Wiltshire by 2030. Every investment, gift and partnership helps us go further, faster.

Whatever your connection – as a business, a philanthropist, or someone who simply loves trees – there’s a way to be part of it.
A group of Western Forest staff and partners stand on a hill at Ashton Court, holding spades and smiling. They have a sign that reads 'Western Forest - The new national forest'

Three ways to invest

1. For businesses:
Ambitious partnerships with measurable impact
Sponsor a flagship project, back our agroforestry demonstration farms, or align your ESG and CSR commitments with a landscape-scale initiative that’s already making an impact. We work with corporate partners to build bespoke propositions – from sponsorship and staff engagement to natural capital in backing hectares.
Cows standing in a green field with guarded trees
2. For philanthropists and major donors:
Back a forest that will outlast us all
The Western Forest is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape a new national landscape from the ground up. We’re building an Acquisition Fund to secure land and accelerate planting beyond what government funding alone can deliver – with major gifts helping us reach specific, named outcomes on the ground.
A close up of a sapling in the ground, with lots of newly planted trees behind it
3. For individuals:
Plant your own piece of the forest
However much you’re able to give, you can be part of the Western Forest story – support a grove, or make a gift in memory or celebration. Every gift helps support the forest that’s already reconnecting communities, farms and wildlife across the West.
A jay sitting on a mossy branch

Our Impact

Here’s what’s been achieved so far – and what your investment helps us build on

leaf-branch

Hectares planted

242
sapling

Landowners engaged

264
trees

Volunteers

269
cow

People at events

1,551
Many rows of tree saplings and stakes planted, with the sun setting in the background

FAQs

The Western Forest is backed by a £7.5 million Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) grant over five years (2025–2030), hosted by the Forest of Avon Trust. This gives us a stable foundation – our fundraising is about ambition, not need: building the partnerships and investment that let us go further than government funding alone can take us.

Depending on the size and nature of your contribution, your support can help fund new woodland creation, agroforestry demonstration farms, community access and engagement, farmer and land manager grants, or the core team and partnerships that hold the whole programme together. Tell us a bit about what interests you and we’ll talk through the options.

As Western Forest doesn’t hold independent charity status, individual and corporate donations are routed through our host organisation, the Forest of Avon Trust, so they can be made tax-efficiently. 

Be Part Of Our Future

The Western Forest is shaped by people, places and partnerships. Whether you’re exploring a corporate partnership, considering a major gift, or want to make your own personal contribution – we’d love to hear from you.
Register your interest