Wildlife

Press Release

New research proves woodland wildlife does wonders for wellbeing

Groundbreaking new research backed by the Woodland Trust proves that woods teeming with wildlife do wonders for your wellbeing.

Owen Phillips  •  11 Feb 2025

Press Release

Secret seed sources sought for Scotland’s wee trees

Woodland conservationists are seeking to flush out secret seed sources for some of the country’s rarest and smallest mountain tree species.

George Anderson  •  28 Jan 2025

Press Release

11 weird and wonderful wildlife of our rainforests

From a stinky fish-smelling lichen to one which looks like a dragon’s skin, to the world’s largest slug with the strangest mating ritual – the weird and wonderful wildlife of our rainforests.

Andy Bond  •  06 Dec 2024

Press Release

Data shows low fruit yield after wet spring

The latest update from Nature’s Calendar, the Woodland Trust’s citizen science project, suggests knock-on effects of heavy rainfall earlier in the year.

Rosa Johnston-Flint  •  11 Nov 2024

Press Release

Skipinnish Oak crowned UK Tree of the Year 2024

A centuries-old oak nestled in the heart of Lochaber, Scotland, has been dubbed ‘Tree of the Year’ in the Woodland Trust’s prestigious competition.

Rosa Johnston-Flint  •  05 Nov 2024

Press Release

Gold for young designer’s garden at Tatton

A young designer has won gold at RHS Tatton for creating a unique garden to highlight the dramatic loss of treasured trees outside woods.

Andy Bond  •  18 Jul 2024

Press Release

Young nature enthusiasts let creativity shine at Maldwyn 2024 Urdd Eisteddfod

Coed Cadw, the Woodland Trust in Wales, has announced the winners of its ‘Getting Creative With Nature’ Key Stage 2 competition, held in collaboration with the Urdd.

Lydia Tomkinson  •  09 Jul 2024

Press Release

Gwledd o greadigrwydd ymysg naturiaethwyr ifanc brwd yn Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2024 ym Maldwyn  

Mae Coed Cadw, sef The Woodland Trust yng Nghymru, wedi cyhoeddi enillwyr eu cystadleuaeth Cyfnod Allweddol 2, ‘Bod yn Greadigol ym Myd Natur’, a gynhaliwyd ar y cyd â’r Urdd.

Lydia Tomkinson  •  09 Jul 2024

Press Release

Loch Arkaig osprey chicks bound for Spain as Dad’s catch plummets

Two young ospreys from a nest in Lochaber have been taken into a translocation programme after their father’s plummeting fish catch began to raise concern.

George Anderson  •  02 Jul 2024

Press Release

New study reveals the UK’s rarest rainforest beetles are multi-day adventurers

A new study delving into the lives of one of the UK’s rarest beetles shows them to be athletes and adventurers – travelling the scaled–up equivalent of several kilometres a night in search of food and mates.

Andy Bond  •  18 Jun 2024

Press Release

A9 central reservation is in a better state than surrounding hills

A central reservation of one of Scotland's busiest roads, the A9, is in a more natural state than the surrounding hills, says report from the Woodland Trust.

George Anderson  •  28 May 2024

Press Release

Rhododendron is destroying our native wildlife

Popular for its pretty flowers, Rhododendron ponticum is an invasive non-native species and is damaging native woods and wildlife.

Andy Bond  •  23 May 2024

Press Release

Deer in Scotland: a way forward?

Deer numbers in Scotland have doubled since 1990, posing a growing barrier to woodland creation and restoration.

Simon Ritchie  •  26 Apr 2024

Press Release

Early signs of spring becoming the new norm, says the Woodland Trust

Earlier signs of spring – such as the first leafing of trees or the first sightings of butterflies – could be here to stay, says the Woodland Trust.

Andy Bond  •  22 Mar 2024

Press Release

Children's author Michael Morpurgo backs project bringing city children into nature and farming

The Woodland Trust is working with Farms for City Children, a charity founded by Michael and Clare Morpurgo to connect city children with nature and farming.

Andy Bond  •  09 Feb 2024

Press Release

Scotland’s wildest wild apples gathered for ‘gene bank’ orchard in the Trossachs

A genetic refuge for Scotland’s wildest crab apple trees has been established at Woodland Trust Scotland’s Glen Finglas Estate in the Trossachs.

George Anderson  •  30 Nov 2023

Press Release

Groundbreaking scientific research project at Snaizeholme will tackle the impacts of extreme weather

One of the biggest pieces of scientific research ever undertaken in the English uplands will tackle the impacts of extreme weather.

Andy Bond  •  17 Nov 2023

Press Release

First trees planted as charity tees up to turn abandoned golf course into wildlife haven

School children are set to plant the first of 30,000 trees at Frodsham, Cheshire in an ambitious project to turn fairways into forest and greens into glades.

Andy Bond  •  08 Nov 2023

Press Release

Dalkeith named heritage tree hotspot as experts record 500 “living legends”

Dalkeith Country Park in Midlothian has been revealed as a heritage tree hotspot after experts recorded 500 ancient, veteran and notable oaks over the last year.

George Anderson  •  22 Sep 2023

Press Release

Over 900 Insect Species Identified at “Commando” Wood in the Scottish Highlands

Ecologist Ian Strachan discovers 946 invertebrate species in Scotland's Loch Arkaig Pine Forest, highlighting its rich biodiversity and historical significance.

George Anderson  •  22 Aug 2023

Press Release

Faughan Valley Woodlands officially opens unveiling a haven for nature and people

Small fragmented woodlands along and across the River Faughan have been connected to benefit people, nature and climate in Northern Ireland.

Lynsey Nixon  •  01 Aug 2023

Press Release

Million pound grant to 'roll out rainforest' around Scottish mountain

Woodland Trust Scotland is to receive £1m+ through the Forestry Grant Scheme to expand rare Scottish rainforest around the slopes of a Highland mountain.

George Anderson  •  25 May 2023

Press Release

Woodland Trust acquires new land connected to Mourne Park

The Trust has been able to extend Mourne Park, a special site for restoration and conservation in Northern Ireland, with 32 hectares of neighbouring land.

Glynis Watt  •  24 May 2023

Press Release

Success for Wales-wide tree planting project as 300,000 trees find homes

Thousands of households have planted trees through the My Tree, Our Forest project, helping to kickstart a National Forest for Wales.

Sophie Thomas  •  22 May 2023

Press Release

Visit the Woodland Trust's bluebell woods in full bloom

The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland wants to welcome visitors to sites throughout the region to enjoy the spectacular springtime sight of a bluebell-carpeted woodland.

Glynis Watt  •  11 May 2023

Press Release

Giant boost for nature in Yorkshire Dales as charity plans huge native woodland

One of the boldest projects in the English uplands is about to start with the first trees to go in the ground at Snaizeholme in the Yorkshire Dales.

Andy Bond  •  17 Apr 2023

Press Release

Young people's climate anxiety is soaring due to lack of access to green space

One in three young people in Britain are scared (33%), sad (34%) or pessimistic (34%) about climate change, with 28% feeling “overwhelmed”, according to a YouGov poll.

Owen Phillips  •  21 Mar 2023

Press Release

Highland lodge announced as Scottish Rainforest Centre

95-year old Couldoran House will be reborn as the Scottish Rainforest Centre and operate as a hub in efforts to conserve the rare and threatened habitat.

George Anderson  •  16 Feb 2023

Press Release

One little word makes a huge difference for Scotland’s dwindling ancient woods

Campaigners are celebrating a major victory as new policy bars developments damaging ancient woods and trees.

George Anderson  •  15 Feb 2023

Press Release

A huge win for irreplaceable ancient woodland

Oldhouse Warren ancient woodland has had a stay of execution after Center Parcs abandoned its plans to develop a new village within this irreplaceable habitat.

Natalie Stephenson  •  10 Feb 2023

Press Release

GB plant biosecurity strategy is a missed opportunity

The Government today published its Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain. Read our reaction.

Alisha Anstee  •  09 Jan 2023

Press Release

Survival of rare shrill carder bumblebee given hope in Kent

The survival of one of the UK’s rarest bumblebees – the shrill carder bee – has been boosted as conservation techniques see Woodland Trust site given special “champion status” for the species.

Andy Bond  •  13 Dec 2022

Press Release

Former golf course becomes wooded haven for wildlife

A former golf course in north Cheshire is to be transformed by the Woodland Trust into a haven for nature and a wild place for communities to visit for years to come.

Andy Bond  •  05 Dec 2022

Press Release

Farmers share tales of 'living legends' and nature on their land

From an ancient oak which survived a hit from a Lancaster Bomber in World War Two to a 150-year-old pear tree – classically taken portraits tell a story of how farmers are helping to protect ancient and veteran trees.

Andy Bond  •  24 Nov 2022

Press Release

Farming with trees is key to net zero, new research shows

A new Woodland Trust report shows how increasing agroforestry – farming with trees - in England is essential to meet nature and climate targets

Andy Bond  •  01 Nov 2022

Press Release

Woodland Trust opens Mourne Park

A rare ancient woodland wildlife haven has opened in Northern Ireland for the first time in over 500 years, with three new trails to help visitors explore.

Glynis Watt  •  01 Aug 2022

Press Release

Woodland Trust announces partnership with Assynt Foundation

The Assynt Foundation and Woodland Trust Scotland have entered a 30-year partnership to revitalise Glencanisp and Drumrunie Estates in the North-west highlands.

George Anderson  •  23 Dec 2021

Press Release

Woodland Trust Scotland Buys Highland Estate

Woodland Trust Scotland has completed the purchase of the 4,500-acre Couldoran Estate in Wester Ross, a site it plans to transform for the benefit of people and wildlife.

George Anderson  •  09 Dec 2021

Press Release

New population of rare heath fritillary found in Kent

The heath fritillary, one of the UK’s rarest butterflies, has been discovered for the first time at the Woodland Trust’s Victory Wood in Kent.

Andy Bond  •  01 Jul 2021

Press Release

Official planting figures show urgent need for more action

Read our response to the latest National Statistics on woodland released on 17 June 2021.

Steve Marsh  •  17 Jun 2021