National Forest for Wales

In the spring of 2020, we announced our commitment to the National Forest for Wales. It will:

• create areas of new woodland
• help to restore and maintain some of our irreplaceable ancient woodlands

In time it will form a connected network of woodlands throughout Wales. This will bring social, economic and environmental benefits.

New managed woodlands created for the National Forest will:

• provide spaces for leisure and nature
• help to capture and store carbon
• provide timber - a sustainable resource for construction

Creating a National Forest in Wales is a long term commitment, spanning many decades. We are currently engaging with a wide range of stakeholders to understand how best to deliver the National Forest.  

The role of the Liaison Officers is to help woodlands become part of the National Forest for Wales.

There are six Liaison Officers located across Wales. They are part of Natural Resources Wales (NRW). They will help woodland owners to create and enhance woodland sites.

They can also signpost woodland sites to relevant schemes. They can offer support with applications for:

• National Forest for Wales Status Scheme
• The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG)
• Coetiroedd Bach (Tiny Forests)

These schemes can help to bring woodlands into the National Forest for Wales network.

The National Forest for Wales Liaison Officers contact details are:

• telephone: 0300 065 3000 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)
• email: NationalForestWalesStatus@naturalresources.wales

On 23 June 2023, we opened the National Forest for Wales Status Scheme. The scheme enables exemplary woodlands to join the National Forest for Wales network.

The scheme is open to anyone who owns, or has management control of, woodland in Wales. This includes not-for-profit organisations and private owners. 

To be eligible to apply, you must:

• show how your site meets National Forest for Wales Outcomes
• have a woodland management plan in place

Before completing an application, you need to liaise with the National Forest for Wales Liaison Officers.

On 13 June 2022, we opened applications for a new round of The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG). This followed the successful delivery of the pilot scheme in 2021.

This scheme will provide financial support for people to:

• create new woodlands
• enhance and expand existing woodlands

in accordance with the UK Forestry Standard.

These woodlands must have the potential to be part of the National Forest network in the future. This means woodlands that

• are well-managed
• are accessible to people
• give local communities the opportunity to get involved in woodlands and nature

In April 2023, we opened applications for the Coetiroedd Bach Grant. This grant will create 100 ‘Tiny Forests’ between April 2023 and the end of March 2025. This follows the successful delivery of the pilot scheme in 2020.

This scheme will provide financial support for people to create tiny forests.These woodlands must have the potential to be part of the National Forest network in the future. This means woodlands that:

• are well-managed
• are accessible to people
• give local communities the opportunity to get involved in woodlands and nature

You can find details of application deadlines and key dates (on National Lottery Heritage Fund).

We held a series of online discussion sessions on 10 to 12 March, 2021. This was to give people the opportunity to discuss the National Forest for Wales. 

Recordings of the event are now available on our YouTube National Forest for Wales playlist.

The Peoples Collection celebrates Wales’ heritage and culture. It is a collection of resources that link to the history, culture and people of Wales. Anyone can contribute to it.

The National Forest programme is collaborating with:

• the National Museum
• the National Library of Wales, and
• the Royal commission for ancient and historical monuments of Wales

to create a National Forest People’s Collection for Wales. Creating a dedicated area for the National Forest on the People’s Collection Wales will enable communities to engage. They can collate memories, narrative and media on their personal connections with trees.

Visit the National Forests Peoples Collection

If you have a contribution for the collection, email nationalforestwales@gov.wales

In autumn 2020 we announced the first 14 National Forest sites.

These sites mark the beginning of our commitment. They are part of our estate, and are managed and maintained by Natural Resources Wales.

This year, we will work alongside partners to look at other new and existing woodlands. We will discuss the features and benefits that they need to provide to be part of the National Forest.

View a map of all the sites.