Welsh First Minister Unveils Exciting New Plans for National Forest

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has unveiled the exciting concept for a National Forest running the length and breadth of Wales. Backed by £5 million in this year’s Budget, the National Forest will create areas of new woodland, helping to restore and maintain some of Wales’ unique and irreplaceable ancient woodlands.

A further £10 million of Glastir Woodland creation and restoration funding will be available . Increasing tree planting across Wales.

The National Forest will be a connected ecological network running throughout Wales. This will play an important role in protecting nature and addressing biodiversity loss.

It will also help to boost tourism in Wales, drawing inspiration from the development of the Wales Coast Path.

A world-first, the Wales Coast Path stretches the entire 870 miles of rugged Welsh coastline . Attracting millions of visitors annually, it was developed over years through collaboration between government, businesses, landowners and communities.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said:

“Today we plant the seeds of our ambition. We want to work with farmers, voluntary organisations, councils, environmental experts and local communities to translate our ambitions into immediate action and a shared long-term commitment .

“There is no escaping the huge environmental challenges the world is facing. We have a responsibility to future generations to protect nature from the dangers of our changing climate . A healthy natural environment will also offer protection to our communities. In planting, growing and protecting the right network of trees we can increase our resilience .

“Trees improve air quality. They remove harmful greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Provide material for construction. Regenerate soil for food. They clean the water in our rivers and provide a home to all the life that finds shelter in their canopy.”

The First Minister and Environment Minister Lesley Griffiths will taking part in tree planting at the Coed Cadw wood at Gnoll Country Park in Neath . Whilst Hannah Blythyn, Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government will be tree planting at Coed Y Felin, near Mold .

Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government Hannah Blythyn said:

“Our forests play a vital role in sustaining both our wildlife and our communities. By investing in community woodlands like Coed Y Felin as part of the National Forest, we can create new opportunities for people to experience nature in their own communities .”

The National Forest will be supported by £5 million of new funding. This includes £1.5 million to support community woodlands. A further £10 million of funding for Glastir woodland creation and restoration is being announced today . Applications for funding open from March 16 and will go towards increasing tree planting across Wales .

Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths, said:

“The National Forest will provide an important means of strengthening the ecological networks. These sustain our ancient woodlands and other vital habitats for wildlife.

Creating extensive new networks of woodlands is a challenging and long-term ambition. However , the idea is gathering momentum, with many organisations and communities across Wales already getting involved .