Forest Plan / Context
Context
Raise: Cumbria Community Forest
Launched in 2021 and extending across 1388 square miles (or 3595 square kilometres), Cumbria Community Forest hugs the western edge of the Lake District National Park, stretching from the northern city of Carlisle to the post-industrial towns in the south. It takes in a unique Cumbrian setting of diverse landscapes, rural and urban populations, and socio-economic inequalities alongside local pride.
England’s Community Forests
England’s Community Forests is the leading woodland creation force in the country. A diverse and growing network of 15 unique Community Forests working to help nature recover and regenerate the landscapes in and around our largest towns and cities, we are ensuring that trees and woodlands are at the very heart of communities up and down the country, unlocking countless benefits for people and planet.
Local Policy Context
To establish the policy opportunities and constraints for Cumbria Community Forest, Raise has reviewed and considered local strategic plans, development plans and relevant policies county-wide, consulting closely with local policy partners and statutory bodies. This Forest Plan intentionally connects and supports a range of established and emerging policy and strategy in Cumbria, across land use, biodiversity and nature restoration, climate, water, public health, employment and the economy.
National Policy Context
England’s Community Forests create sustainable woodlands which are multifunctional: for climate, public health, green infrastructure and more. Community Forests’ activities enhance people’s lives and livelihoods, help nature to thrive and tackle the climate emergency. This section highlights key aspects of national policy and legislation which England’s Community Forests respond to and deliver against.
Progress So Far
When Cumbria Community Forest was launched in 2021, existing tree and woodland cover within the forest boundary was 45,903 hectares, or 12.77% of total land area. In 2023 this area had increased by 854 hectares: an additional 0.24% of tree and woodland cover delivered over two years by all woodland creation partners.
Interactive map
This interactive map shows woodland creation sites that have, and will be delivered by Raise: Cumbria Community Forest. It also shows the opportunity mapping which was undertaken to inform this Forest Plan.
