The Mersey Forest is the largest of England’s 12 Community Forests. The Mersey Forest covers 465 square miles of Merseyside and North Cheshire, and 1.6 million people live in The Forest. We are not creating one “Mersey Forest” but a network of woodlands and other habitats across the whole of the 465 square miles of the project area – but that is just the start.
Through sustained activity to transform the landscape of the area following years of neglect and degradation we are creating opportunities for communities, for nature and for business. In many ways this is the most important aspect of our work – identifying a clear purpose for creating new community woodlands – it is much, much more than just trees!
We are creating the green infrastructure that complements, promotes and sustains community and economic development.
We have:
- a long term Forest Plan for The Mersey Forest area
- a Forest Team whose job it is to co-ordinate delivery of the plan
- a strong and effective partnership with public, private and third sector organisations that delivers meaningful change year after year in order to deliver The Mersey Forest Vision
Our Vision
By working in partnership we will transform the landscape of The Mersey Forest through woodland planting and the creation of associated habitats, to produce long term, sustainable benefits for the economy, people and wildlife.
Our Aim
The aim of The Forest Partnership is to create 8,000 acres of new community woodlands and a wide range of associated environmental, economic and social benefits through sustainable landscape improvements to The Mersey Forest area over the 30-year period of the development of The Forest.
Our Objectives
To deliver The Mersey Forest Plan by:
- Transforming Land – with a clear purpose for the land in mind
- Developing the timber using sector
- Engaging and enthusing people
- Acquiring resources to deliver all the above