June 12, 2025 - 583 views
Ten new woodland sites have joined the National Forest for Wales network, providing increased access to nature for communities across the country.
Among the new additions are Parc y Moch in Gwynedd and Halkyn Castle Wood in Flintshire. These sites offer various community programs, health initiatives, and agroforestry workshops.
Halkyn Castle Wood serves as an educational and wellbeing centre for vulnerable people through socially prescribed courses. Working with local authorities and community organisations, it provides safe spaces that help reconnect people with themselves, others and nature.
Management of the woodland and streams in line with the UK Forestry Standard has provided better access for people along rights of way and enhanced the woodland quality and biodiversity value.
Vanessa Warrington, Halkyn Castle Wood, said: "We’re excited to become part of the National Forest for Wales. As a landowner this has been an opportunity for me to realise the vision for our woodland and we are well on our way to becoming a sustainable, healthy, vibrant woodland with a rich biodiversity, through mindful management, education, wellbeing programmes and training.
"Reconnecting people with forests not only helps their holistic wellbeing but also fosters a sense of connection, ownership and citizenship which will be crucial in the years to come."
Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said:
"It's wonderful to see the continued expansion of the National Forest for Wales and to be able to welcome this next group of woodlands to the network. We have a great ambition to have more of these throughout Wales, where they can be enjoyed by everyone.
"This is a very strong round with all the sites meeting all six of the National Forest outcomes, and shining a real light on the diversity of National Forest sites and the breadth of impacts and activities they undertake.
"I'd encourage other sites to join the National Forest so we can continue to expand the network of good quality, well designed and managed resilient woodland – as well as opening up more outdoor spaces, which are good for our wellbeing, and creating new green job opportunities."
The expansion marks the seventh round of additions to the National Forest since its launch in 2020, now totaling 70 woodland sites covering over 4,065 hectares in Wales.
