A local organisation set up to create brand new forests near towns and cities has announced the acquisition of its first site near Almondsbury in Bristol.
Newly planted trees | Library image
Co-forest, which is working with companies and individuals across Bath and Bristol, has purchased the ten-acre site with the possibility of expanding it in the future.
Approximately 10,000 broadleaf native woodland species will be planted and managed, to absorb carbon and create new habitat for local wildlife.
Co-founder Katrina Kelly said: “We’re thrilled to have secured this site for our first Bristol Co-forest.
“It gives us a lot of future opportunities – the companies and individuals that have contributed to this purchase will support its development into a forest, but we’re now asking other local organisations and people to get involved – if sufficient support comes forward we can look to purchase additional adjoining land so we could make this new forest a lot bigger with their help!
“This is a great way for local organisations to contribute to carbon capture and biodiversity conservation, and those who want to can also get involved in planting days with their teams, and build Co-forest into their staff wellbeing programmes.”
The site in Almondsbury was selected for the first Bristol forest because it offers the opportunity for expansion if more organisations want to join the project, but also because it is on land that has undergone ecological surveys to ensure planting trees will have no detrimental effects to existing plant or animal species.
It will also connect some existing small woodlands and create new nature corridors.
Katrina added: “This initial forest here in the Bristol and Bath area is the first of what we hope will be many Co-forests around the UK, perhaps even the world.
“The idea is that in other locations, groups could come together and use our brand, website, and knowledge about tree planting to run their own projects. This first Co-forest is the coming together of like-minded people and organisations around Bath and Bristol to preserve land and plant new woodland or forestry.
“We are taking our time with this inaugural forest, exploring many ideas and opportunities and working closely with partners in the hope that it will help us create a blueprint for future Co-foresting groups elsewhere.”
Over 1.5 million hectares of new woodland is needed in Britain to help reach the net-zero carbon target by 2050.
Co-forest was initially conceived by Bath-based digital technology agency, Storm Consultancy.
Storm has since partnered with environmental experts including EcoWild, the Woodland Trust and others to assist Co-forest in the creation of its woodlands in an informed and sustainable manner.
David Kelly, founder of Storm, said: “We wanted to mark our tenth anniversary in a way that created a legacy, gave something back to our community, and looked forward to a healthy future instead of back at our history.
“Tree planting was suggested and our team was keen. Soon our clients were told and many of them also wanted to get involved, and it became clear that employees around the region were encouraging their companies to join the project.
“We’re thrilled that this new land purchase in Almondsbury will allow the creation of a brand new forest and would urge any companies in the area looking for a project like this to get involved in to check it out.”
Chris May, founder and managing director of Mayden in Bath, said: “Getting involved with Co-forest was a no-brainer for Mayden.
“We aim to operate a zero-carbon business and have already taken a number of measures to reduce our footprint. We are now starting to think about our staff returning to the office, but for many that involves commuting.
“While many of our staff use bikes, public transport or walk to work, taking the step of offsetting the car journeys by planting trees with Co-forest is the very last step on our journey to zero-carbon.”
You can learn more about Co-forest at https://coforest.co.uk/, including how to pledge as an individual or on behalf of a company.
The new forest in Almondsbury will begin planting in autumn 2021. Trees are planted over the winter months to give them the greatest chance of survival.
