Join us in creating a new woodland for Norfolk – a safe haven for nature to flourish and people to enjoy.
The UK is one of the least densely forested nations, with just 13.5% of land currently covered in trees. That's compared to an average of 37% in other European countries. In Norfolk, this figure is even lower, with only 9% of the county wooded. This is having a devastating impact on our wildlife – right now a third of all woodland species are in decline.
Woodlands play a vital role in providing a rich and diverse habitat for plants and animals, helping the fight against climate change and connecting people with nature. That's why it's crucial, now more than ever, to protect the woods we already have, as well as establish new ones by planting more trees.
Now that Green Farm is under our care, we can begin creating a new 119-hectare (294-acre) native woodland. To reflect this new chapter for the site, we have renamed the land to Thompson Wood.
of land now in our care.
We can create a rich mosaic of woodland, grassland and wood pasture.
is what we still need to raise.
This will fund tree planting and long term care of the new woodland.
We want to transform Norfolk’s landscape, offering varied habitats for important wildlife as well as a place of beauty for people to enjoy.
Credit: Matthew Roberts / WTML
It's not just about trees. As well as planting 142,000 native trees, we'll create a mosaic of native broadleaf woodland, natural grassland and wood pasture, as well as over 2km (1.2mi) of newly planted hedges linking up isolated veteran trees.
Credit: Matthew Roberts / WTML
People are at the heart of what we do. Thompson Wood will be a new publicly accessible haven for Norfolk with a network of paths, promoting nature recovery and climate resilience while providing recreational space for people to enjoy.
Credit: Christopher Cook / Alamy Stock Photo
The new woodland, open spaces, hedges and grassland will provide habitats for red list Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) bird species such as nightjar, woodcock, marsh tit, spotted flycatcher and lesser redpoll.
Credit: David Sewell/WTML
We're working with Norfolk Wildlife Trust, who already care for the adjoining Thompson Water, Carr and Common Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), renowned for their pingo ponds. These post-glacial depressions which were formed at the end of the ice age are now home to many endangered species such as the emerald damselfly and the great crested newt. Sadly, the pingos are under threat from the adverse effects of nutrient enrichment, but our acquisition of Green Farm will help alleviate this problem.
Thompson Wood is now under our care, but we still need to raise £1.5 million to plant trees and create a thriving habitat for people and wildlife. Will you donate today to help us almost double the precious woodland under our care in Norfolk?
This appeal has been generously supported by FCC Communities Foundation and players of People's Postcode Lottery.
Thompson Wood is in South Norfolk, a landscape renowned for its post-glacial pingo ponds. The site is being transformed into a rich mosaic of habitats for wildlife to thrive and for the local community to enjoy.
Support us
Devon is where it all began for us. Now, 50 years on, thanks to your generous support, we're celebrating the creation of Yonder Oak Wood - a vast wooded landscape in east Devon.
Support us
We’re helping the incredible ancient woodland at Brynau Farm to flourish, and we now have the chance to more than double the size of this site. Help us secure Cefn Morfudd to create a peaceful oasis for native wildlife.
Support us
Help keep Mourne Park thriving for nature and people – an irreplaceable ancient woodland in Northern Ireland now open for all to explore. We’ve secured this precious land, and we need you to help us to protect it for future generations.
Support us
This breathtaking slice of Caledonian pine forest – part of Scotland's rainforest and our first ever mountain – now has a bright future.
