Join us in creating a new woodland for Norfolk - a safe haven where nature can flourish and a calm and restful outdoor area for the benefit of everyone.
is what we've acquired
Now the land is 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.
The UK is one of the least densely forested nations, with just 13% 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.
At present the Woodland Trust owns 12 sites across Norfolk covering 145 hectares, with the majority of woods under 12 hectares in size. We have been given a fantastic opportunity to almost double the tree cover in our care in the county by purchasing 119 hectares of land to create a brand new native woodland at Green Farm on the edge of the village of Thompson.
We have an opportunity 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 of newly planted hedges linking up isolated veteran trees.
Credit: Matthew Roberts / WTML
People are at the heart of what we do. Green Farm 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.
This appeal has been generously supported by FCC Communities Foundation and players of People's Postcode Lottery.
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