Forest Plan / Vision / 25-Year Vision
25-Year Vision
Our shared vision is to work together with local communities and partners to significantly increase the extent and health of our treescapes and equality of access to them, over the next 25 years. We do this to enhance the beauty and biodiversity of our local landscape, combat and adapt to climate change, improve air quality, reduce flooding risk, create work and training opportunities, and bring our woodlands closer to home for recreation and health.
Every urban and rural community will have equitable access to high quality green infrastructure. Trees will feature in housing developments and infrastructure projects across the county. Woodlands will be vital spaces for nature connection, improved health and wellbeing and reduced social isolation. Trees and woodland will be widely celebrated in Cumbrian culture, offering abundant work and volunteer opportunities, fostering a deep sense of pride and stewardship and keeping our forests sustainable, productive and thriving for generations to come.
Ribbons of new and restored woodlands will connect fragmented habitats, forming larger forests and vibrant green corridors which integrate with agriculture and complement other priority habitats. Wildlife will find sanctuary in these thriving ecosystems, and the environment will be enriched for future generations. Communities will benefit from reduced flooding risk, improved air quality, and increased green and land-based jobs.
We will actively seek to understand and address existing inequalities in engaging with nature for those facing the greatest need. We will champion engagement with trees and woodlands for the benefits of health, wellbeing, and opportunities for neurodivergent communities, ensuring that everyone can experience the transformative power of nature.
Creativity is at the heart of our approach. Artists and makers will find inspiration and opportunities within our woodlands, enriching the cultural fabric of local communities. Our forests will be living canvases and studios, fostering innovation and expression.
In the next 25 years, our community forest will be a living legacy to the power of collective action.
