Welcome back. For Forestry England’s coronavirus guidance please follow this link - View now

Forestry England news

Keep up to date with the latest news, press and events from around the nation's woods and forests.

Looking for something else?

Recent news

News

A ringing success! Kielder osprey chicks are ringed and named

28 July 2020

July is an exciting time for everyone involved with the Kielder ospreys when we get up close and personal with the new arrivals as the chicks are named and ringed.

Find out more

News

England’s first reintroduced Pine Martens have kits

13 July 2020

Combined efforts to bring pine martens back to the Forest of Dean have just reached a major milestone – a number of recently released females have given birth to offspring.

Find out more

News

Baby beaver born in Cropton Forest, North Yorkshire

02 July 2020

We are happy to announce a new addition to the beaver family at Cropton Forest, with the arrival of another healthy baby kit. This brings the total number of youngsters on site to three, alongside the two adults initially introduced. The two kits born in May last year have both progressed very well, pulling their weight with various work tasks, and are now helping their parents take care of the new youngster.

Find out more

News

New fundraising appeal launched to restore Wareham Forest following devastating wildfire

01 July 2020

Forestry England has launched a fundraising appeal in response to offers of help from the community to restore Wareham Forest in Dorset after a devastating wildfire destroyed around 15% of this critically important conservation area.

Find out more

essential work preparing seedlings for planting in forests and woodlands.

News

Lining-out machine made coronavirus-safe

04 June 2020

Forestry England has quickly adapted their Super Prefer lining-out machine to keep staff safe from coronavirus while they continue their essential work preparing seedlings for planting in forests and woodlands. Work at Forestry England’s nurseries has continued since social distancing measures were introduced and they had to quickly adapt to keep staff safe. Their nurseries supply some 18 million trees a year, not only to Forestry England but to Natural Resources Wales and Forestry and Land Scotland too.

Find out more

News

Forestry England starts clean-up operation following a fire which engulfed 190 hectares of heathland at Wareham Forest, Dorset

20 May 2020

Since the fire started on Monday 18 May, firefighters from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service with support from others have been working extremely hard to bring the fire under control. The heat and smoke conditions have been very arduous. Wareham Forest, managed by Forestry England, is part of a large area of heathland in Dorset and is recognised internationally for the rare habitats and wildlife that lives there. This includes birds such as the nightjar and the Dartford warbler and every UK reptile species, including the rare smooth snake and sand lizard.

Find out more

News

Forestry England makes significant land purchase

29 April 2020

Forestry England’s North District has bought a significant area of land in Northumberland for a new woodland. Last autumn the Government unveiled proposals to create the Great Northumberland Forest. The first stage of this ambition to increase woodland cover in Northumberland is for three new public forests covering up to 500ha. Buying this land means Forestry England will create the second of these.

Find out more

News

Seven simple ways to connect with forests at home

28 April 2020

The government has asked us all to stay safe by staying at home, but if you’re missing forests and nature as much as we are, look no further: Forestry England is here to help by bringing the best of forests and woodlands straight to you, at home. We've created a forest full of ideas and information to help you stay connected to nature, complete with activities for the whole family. Whether you’re looking for activities to keep the kids entertained or need some head space to improve your wellbeing, here’s all you need to stay wild at home.

Find out more

News

Reckless trail modifications put mountain bikers at risk

23 April 2020

Some unofficial and dangerous modifications to Whinlatter Forest’s popular Altura Trail North Loop have been discovered by Forestry England Rangers out doing safety inspections. Jumps, ramps and double-jumps were built over the last two weekends, Forestry England have said. These could be a significant danger to local riders using the trail legitimately under the social distancing and exercise rules.

Find out more

News

Ospreys return to Kielder Water and Forest Park

21 April 2020

Ospreys have returned to nest in the forests of Kielder Water & Forest Park for the twelfth year in a row. And whilst it is just another season for the ospreys it is a year unlike any other for their many fans. In support of the national effort to combat coronavirus (COVID-19), Forestry England and Northumbrian Water took the unprecedented decision to close all recreational facilities at Kielder Water & Forest Park on Monday 23rd March.

Find out more

The forest live stage at Westonbirt Arboretum

News

Forest Live 2020 cancelled

03 April 2020

Forest Live, the summer concert series presented by Forestry England, where acts perform in spectacular woodland locations around the country has been cancelled.

Find out more

Conifer forest with looking up at the canopy with younger trees below

News

COVID-19: stay at home, please do not visit the nation’s forests

24 March 2020

The government has told everyone to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. This is a very sad day for us, as we ask you not to visit the nation’s forests or do anything that would put the emergency services under extra pressure. Make sure you have read and understood the government’s new rules on staying at home and away from others. Travelling can only be to and from work, where work absolutely cannot be done from home.

Find out more

News

Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra announce a Forest Live date for the summer

10 March 2020

Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra have announced a date as part of Forest Live, the third and final headline act appearing at Sherwood Pines in the summer concert series presented by Forestry England.

Find out more

News

Flock to the forests for out-of-this-world fun this half term!

11 February 2020

Looking for some out-of-this-world spring activities for the kids this half term? For those with the spirit of adventure, bundle up and look no further…

Find out more

News

Motivation lagging? Skip the gym - hit the nation’s forests this winter to stay active

20 January 2020

If you’re struggling to find the motivation to keep New Year’s resolutions when it comes to getting fit, researchers have found that exercising in forests is the perfect natural antidote to hitting a steamy, sweaty gym.

Find out more

Schoolchild viewing Google Expeditions using a cardboard viewer

News

Virtual field trips to inspire the next generation of forest workers

14 January 2020

The Forestry Commission is working with Google Expeditions to take schoolchildren on virtual tours of working forests.

Find out more

News

Rag‘n’Bone Man announces Forest Live dates

13 January 2020

Rag‘n’Bone Man has announced dates as part of Forest Live, the summer concert series presented by Forestry England.

Find out more

Keane band members on a coloured background

News

Keane announce Forest Live dates for the summer

09 December 2019

Keane has announced dates as part of Forest Live, the summer concert series presented by Forestry England.

Find out more

Noel Gallagher on stage holding his guitar.

News

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds announce Forest Live dates for the summer

09 December 2019

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds have announced three Forest Live shows with Australian outfit Confidence Man in June next year.

Find out more

News

Jack Savoretti announces Forest Live concert date for the summer

09 December 2019

Jack Savoretti has announced a south east date as part of Forest Live, the summer concert series presented by Forestry England.

Find out more

News

Madness announce Forest Live shows for the summer

09 December 2019

Madness have announced dates as part of Forest Live, the summer concert series presented by Forestry England.

Find out more

News

Forestry England’s guide to choosing the perfect Christmas tree

26 November 2019

Christmas comes but once a year and choosing your Christmas tree is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the festive season.

Find out more

News

Top tips for more sustainable Christmas – starting with your tree

21 November 2019

Struggling to be sustainable over the holidays? Whether you want to avoid waste, give plastic the cold shoulder or just want to get a bit creative over the festive period, Forestry England has put together some of our top tips to make your Christmas tree even greener this year.

Find out more

A black and white image showing James Morrison and Will Young.

News

James Morrison and Will Young announce co-headline Forest Live summer gigs

18 November 2019

James Morrison and Will Young have announced co-headlining dates as part of Forest Live, the summer concert series presented by Forestry England.

Find out more

Get in touch

Contact our media office

For media enquiries about the nation's forests cared for by Forestry England please contact:

Media office - Monday to Friday
- Email: media@forestryengland.uk

Hayley Coristine - Monday to Wednesday
- Email: hayley.coristine@forestryengland.uk
- Telephone: 0300 067 4972
- Out-of-hours contact (for urgent journalist enquiries only) 07867 190489

Becky Ulewicz - Wednesday to Friday
- Email: rebecca.ulewicz@forestryengland.uk
- Telephone: 0300 067 4107
- Out-of-hours contact (for urgent journalist enquiries only): 07771 971813

Stuart Burgess - Monday to Friday
- Email: stuart.burgess@forestryengland.uk
- Telephone: 0300 067 4073
- Out-of-hours contact (for urgent journalist enquiries only): 07785 748351