What benefits is the Northern Forest bringing?
The Northern Forest is delivering incredible benefits to local people and wildlife across the North of England. The green value being added to the region and its economy is helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change, address the biodiversity crisis and build stronger, more equitable and healthier communities.
Increasing tree cover
Since 2018, the Northern Forest has created 6,600 hectares of wooded habitat. That’s the equivalent of over 9,200 football pitches.
Together, the partners are planting more and more trees. In 2025-26 alone, over 1,700 hectares were planted.
Increased access to nature
Approximately one million people now have better access to nature and cleaner air, encouraging better physical and mental health.
As a result, 227,000 households in the most deprived areas are now within a 15-minute walk from a woodland in the Northern Forest.
Contribution to net zero
The trees we have planted as part of the Northern Forest have locked up carbon equivalent to the annual carbon footprint of 29,300 cars.
Collectively, the North of England is supporting both national and local governments' carbon reduction ambitions.
Boosting the regional economy
We are delivering natural benefits such as flood mitigation, improved air quality and access to nature in the most deprived areas of the UK.
Communities that previously had less access to trees and woodland, and have struggled with the effects of flooding, are now benefiting from health, economic and environmental inequalities being addressed.
The Northern Forest impact report
In autumn 2025, the partnership released a report highlighting the transformational change being delivered by the Northern Forest. Read the 2018–2025 impact report to discover more about the achievements of the partnership to date.
Want to learn more about the recent work taking place across the North of England? Find out about the delivery in action or stories from our partners.
Could you help make the Northern Forest go even further?
The Northern Forest partnership is seeking further investment to aid planting efforts across the North of England. If you'd like to support the work, find out how you can get involved.