PRESS RELEASE: Local Community Forest continues impressive tree planting numbers

Over 133,000 trees were planted in and around Bedfordshire between November 2025 and March 2026 by the Forest of Marston Vale Trust. Through the Trees for Climate programme, funded by UK government, the Trust delivered 38 new planting schemes, covering 108 hectares with trees, planting 4874 metres of hedgerow and engaging over 500 people in the process.

Whilst these figures for the most recent planting season are impressive, they become even more remarkable when viewed as part of the Charity’s tree planting record since the Trees for Climate programme began in 2020, which includes:

Forest of Marston Vale Trust delivered 155 new planting schemes

Planting 611 hectares of new woodland with 877,444 trees

Created vital habitat and natural land management through planting 29,106 metres of new hedgerow

Engaging over 8,500 people from local communities, including schools, to be part of the planting process

As a catalyst for woodland creation, the Forest of Marston Vale Trust has been a trusted partner for local landowners for nearly 30 years. Funding from the Trees for Climate Programme is available to cover up to 100% of all woodland creation project costs as well as future establishment. The Trust is keen to work with more local landowners, helping them solve land management and income challenges through tree planting.

“Thanks to the Trees for Climate programme, the Trust has been able to extend its support to offer expertise and experience, combined with an attractive funding package, to schools, parish councils, farmers and other landowners across the 61 square mile Forest area, and a 10-mile radius beyond.”

James Russell, Forest Director

"I would definitely recommend working with the Forest of Marston Vale Trust Trees for Climate programme. It's given us fantastic flexibility across our farm, and it's given us fantastic grant funding which otherwise wouldn't be available"

Peter Hobbs, Rectory Farm

The Forest of Marston Vale Trust is one of England’s Community Forests, a diverse and growing network of 15 forests each working in partnership with their local communities, landowners, and businesses to help nature recover and regenerate the landscapes in and around our largest towns and cities.

Having planted more than 877,000 trees locally and contributed to over 10 million trees nationwide since 2020, the Forest of Marston Vale Trust is now looking ahead to an exciting new chapter. With the UK Government having just confirmed funding for the next phase of Trees for Climate, and a landmark partnership bringing together England's leading environmental organisations, the programme will continue creating woodlands that help tackle climate change, restore nature and improve access to green spaces for communities across England.

If you’re a landowner or farmer interested in planting trees on your land, get in touch with our Trees for Climate team and let’s start planting.

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