Across England’s forests, 2025 has been a year of renewal, innovation and genuine hope for nature. From the smallest of insects to the quiet work happening deep beneath our feet, these moments show what’s possible when we give nature the chance to thrive. Discover some of our nature highlights of the year.
Hairy wood ant translocation
This year we helped give hairy wood ants a fresh start, by carefully moving six thriving colonies from Cropton Forest in Yorkshire to Wild Ennerdale in Cumbria. These remarkable insects play a huge role in shaping healthy woodlands by building intricate mounds that support countless other species.
Early signs are encouraging following the move: the ants have settled quickly in their new home and have even started creating new nests, showing how quickly nature can take hold when the conditions are right.
Beaver kits at Cropton Forest
It's been a busy year at Cropton Forest. Our beaver trial here reached a joyful milestone as the resident beaver pair welcomed new kits. Their growing family continues to transform the wetland enclosure by slowing water flow, creating ponds and opening up habitats that quickly become alive with birds, insects and plants.
As we publish the trial’s five-year findings - which you can read here - we’re gaining insights into how these water engineers can help us build healthier, more climate-resilient landscapes. This is an important step to understanding what the government’s February 2025 decision to allow licenced wild beaver releases in England may mean for us.
Pine martens return to Exmoor
In autumn 2025, the Two Moors Pine Marten Project released 19 pine martens in Exmoor National Park, marking the return of a species not seen here for more than a century.
We’re working with Devon Wildlife Trust and other partners to share our expertise and experience, building on our existing reintroduction projects across the country. By working together to return a native species, we're helping to restore balance to our woodlands, creating more varied habitats and, over time, making space for other wildlife to thrive.
You can read more about the Two Moors project on the Devon Wildlife Trust's website.
Soil and fungi translocation
Some of the most important work in forests happens out of sight, deep in the soil. In North Yorkshire, we carried out a pioneering soil and fungi translocation, moving soil from an ancient woodland rich in beneficial fungi to a new site at York Community Woodland.
These underground soil and fungi networks help young trees grow stronger and more resilient. By giving new woodlands a head start with this rich soil, we’re exploring bold new ways to rebuild the living foundations of future forests.
Forests for the future
In 2025 we continued to strengthen England’s forests against the challenges of a changing climate, pests, diseases and extreme weather with a bold new strategy. Through our Forest Resilience approach, we’re actively assessing, diversifying and restoring woodlands to make them healthier, more adaptable and more resilient - from tree species selection to long-term management planning.
By increasing species diversity, planning for climate impacts and restoring ecosystems, we’re shaping landscapes that will support wildlife, communities and sustainable timber for decades to come. This work reflects our commitment to not just protect forests today, but to ensure they thrive for future generations.
