Across the UK, woodlands are facing increasing challenges from pests, diseases and a changing climate. At the same time, many people are looking for opportunities to connect with nature, learn new skills and improve their wellbeing.
The Silk Wood Community Planting Project at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, has brought these two needs together, creating a lasting legacy for both people and the landscape.
Regenerating Silk Wood
The story began in 2015 when Chalara ash dieback was first discovered in Silk Wood, an important semi-natural ancient woodland. By 2020, extensive felling was necessary to protect public safety and help secure the woodland’s future.
While the loss of mature ash trees was significant, it also created an opportunity to reimagine this much-loved place.
Planting a community woodland
Over three years, Westonbirt created its first Community Woodland, planting around 9,130 trees across five hectares. The project was designed not only to restore the woodland, but to involve local people in every stage.
Involving the community
Community participation has been at the heart of the project from the very beginning.
Thousands of people have taken part in the woodland's regeneration, including young people, individuals from underserved communities, neurodivergent people, and those from a wide range of backgrounds.
Working alongside Westonbirt's team, participants helped design the site, prepare the ground, plant trees, monitor progress and provide ongoing woodland care.
More than 4,320 participants from over 50 community groups have helped bring the project to life, creating a shared sense of ownership and pride.
For many, the experience opened up opportunities they may not otherwise have had.
Good for people, good for nature
Alongside practical conservation work, participants took part in nature-based wellbeing sessions, helping them experience the benefits of time spent outdoors.
Activities included mindful photography, nature journaling, plant identification, measuring tree growth and learning about forestry.
These sessions encouraged people to slow down, build confidence and connect with nature. The project shows how restoring nature can also support wellbeing, helping people feel more connected to nature while contributing to something meaningful.
Why connecting with trees matters
Research continues to show that spending time in natural environments can support both mental and physical wellbeing. It can help improve mood, reduce stress and anxiety, build confidence and strengthen connections with others.
Projects like the Silk Wood Community Planting Project give people the chance to experience these benefits first-hand. By taking part in practical conservation activities, people can develop skills, build relationships and strengthen their connection to the natural world.
At the same time, they are helping to create healthier, more resilient landscapes that will benefit wildlife and future generations. Interested in more about this project? Watch our six-minute video.
Join a volunteer team
If the Silk Wood Community Planting project has inspired you to get involved in a project yourself, take a look at what volunteering opportunities we have available. With projects and volunteer teams operating in forests and woodlands across the country, your chance to connect with others and the natural world might be easier than you think.
