Research projects we are funding
We have awarded conservation research grant funding to research projects that address issues facing the conservation of the UK’s native woods and trees.
Research and evidence
Our conservation work is underpinned by scientific research and evidence. We are constantly looking for effective, credible solutions to deal with the challenges facing woods and trees in the UK.
Whether it’s to understand the impact of climate change or support a campaign to save ancient woodland, all our actions are evidence-led.
We synthesise and gather evidence, collaborate on a diversity of research projects and involve communities through citizen science. This enables us to develop effective conservation techniques and promote evidence-based conservation activity, while ensuring we engage people and inspire support.
Our research and evidence programme
Our conservation programme collaborates on a wide range of research and evidence aligned with our strategy to protect, restore and create native woods and trees.
Through this programme, we’re helping to:
- support practical conservation work and make science more accessible
- co-design research with stakeholders to deliver practical outcomes
- produce reports and resources that can be used by conservationists and forestry managers to enhance the delivery of our work
- engage with scientific networks and advise on large research collaborations
- deliver research by partnering with and funding academics and early-career researchers.
By collaborating with us, you can benefit from our extensive research assets including Woodland Trust sites, datasets, expert knowledge and funding. We also support effective communication and knowledge exchange, to enhance the impact of our research and evidence.
Our research projects
From 3D modelling of ancient trees to documenting 50 years of change in Britain’s woodlands, our research has helped address evidence gaps and guide conservation efforts. Explore examples of our projects below.
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About us
The Bunce survey
The Bunce survey brings together 50 years of data from more than 100 woods across the UK. Find out what's changed, why, and what the results can teach us about nurturing healthier woodlands.
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About us
The SCATTER project
The SCATTER project used cutting edge LiDAR scanning technology to create 3D models of ancient and veteran oak trees across the UK, so we can better understand and manage these living legends for the future.
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About us
BIO-WELL research
BIO-WELL is a research project that mapped woodland biodiversity for human health and wellbeing. It explored the distribution of biodiverse woodlands across the UK, so we can begin addressing inequalities in access.
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About us
TreE PlaNat Project
The TreE PlaNat project explored land managers' views on different woodland creation methods, from planting to natural colonisation, and their impacts.
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Press centre
Groundbreaking scientific research project at Snaizeholme will tackle the impacts of extreme weather
Outputs of the evidence programme
Our evidence is analysed in-house to provide credible guidance and contribute to our position statements. We communicate our evidence through internally and externally published reports and reviews to benefit people and nature.
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Research report
State of the UK's Woods and Trees 2025
PDF (13.33 MB)
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Research report
State of the UK's Woods and Trees 2021
PDF (27.62 MB)
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Research report
The state of Scotland’s rainforest
PDF (3.86 MB)
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About us
Wood Wise magazine
Delve deeper into the news and science behind our tree and woodland conservation work with Wood Wise magazine.
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Policy paper
Farming for the future: agroforestry benefits for nature and climate
PDF (5.19 MB)
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Position statement
Trees and peat in the nature and climate crises - the Woodland Trust's view
PDF (2.04 MB)
Applied Ecology Resources
We submit Woodland Trust authored or funded evidence content to Applied Ecology Resources, an open-access resource from the British Ecological Society. This is part of our commitment to promoting evidence-based policy and practice, with the aim of making science and research transparent, accessible and discoverable.
Our citizen science projects
We harness the efforts of dedicated volunteers to gather data on woods, trees and wildlife across the UK. This information helps us protect ancient trees, assess the impacts of climate change on wildlife and monitor tree health.
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Observatree
Observatree: monitoring tree health
We're using citizen science to recognise and record pests and diseases threatening UK trees.
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Nature's Calendar
Nature's Calendar
What effect has recent weather had on wildlife? Does climate change affect timings in nature? Nature’s Calendar helps reveal answers to these questions.
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Ancient Tree Inventory
Ancient Tree Inventory
Our expert volunteers help us map the oldest and most important trees in the UK so that we can fight for their protection.
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Collaborate with us
We work closely with other organisations to encourage collaboration and support conservation decision making. Together, we help bring crucial research to fruition.
Using Woodland Trust sites and data for research
Our valuable portfolio of sites and datasets are available for research and biological recording, to further the scientific understanding of conservation. Contact us to find out more about what might be available to you.
Get in touch
Contact our team for more information about our conservation research programme or using our sites and data for research. Please note, the research grant call is currently closed.
Conservation Evidence
We are an ‘Evidence Champion’, as accredited by Conservation Evidence in association with the University of Cambridge. Conservation Evidence is a resource designed to support conservation decision making. It summarises the documented evidence for the effectiveness of conservation actions. We are committed to putting evidence at the heart of our activities and as part of our Evidence Champion pledge.