Mersey Forest Commemorates 30 Years and Nine Million Trees Planted

The Mersey Forest is observing its 30th anniversary, tracing its origins back to the initial plan conceived for areas of Merseyside and Cheshire, which aimed “to bring forests nearer to people.” Through the Mersey Forest project, millions of trees have been established, providing numerous advantages for both human populations and wildlife within urban environments. Over the past 18 months alone, approximately 260 hectares of new woodland, an area comparable to about 400 football pitches, have been created on various land parcels across the Liverpool City region and Cheshire. Professor Eunice Simmons, chairman of the Mersey Forest Partnership, noted that former industrial sites, previously considered eyesores, are among the locations undergoing transformation “to bring forests and planting right near where people live.” These planting initiatives are integrated into the broader northern forest project, which involves collaboration with the Woodland Trust and other organizations, with the goal of planting 50 million trees throughout the north of England over the coming 25 years. Professor Simmons stated, “The community forest movement was started in 1990 and Mersey Forest was very quick off the face.” She added, “One of the first forests to be established in the 30 years since, it’s planted millions of trees. The movement was radical, the community forest movement was started to actually bring forests nearer to people.” Approximately nine million trees have been planted over the past three decades, contributing to the formation of the forest. In Frodsham, Cheshire, a notable instance includes the conversion of a former golf course into a sanctuary for both wildlife and humans, with over 30,000 trees having been planted there in the last 18 months. Furthermore, a parcel of land situated at the periphery of St Helens, specifically the former Bold Colliery and power station site, has been converted into a peaceful green area. Paul Nolan, the forest director, commented, “This is one of the sites that is now looked after as part of Mersey Forest and is well used.” He continued, “It’s been transformed into beautiful woodland, which is now rich in wildlife really well used by the local people and has got a great future in terms of biodiversity close to people.”