News / Chew Valley
Crowdfunder smashes target for ‘South West’s biggest woodland’
A Bristol charity has gone above and beyond its fundraising target to create the South West’s ‘biggest new woodland in a generation.’
Avon Needs Trees put its dream of creating what they have dubbed the Lower Chew Forest in the hands of the public with a crowdfunding campaign.
The public responded by putting their hands in their pockets.
is needed now More than ever
The initial £100,000 target was smashed on March 7, and by the campaign’s deadline on March 14 over 1000 backers had helped to raise £120,613. The money will be used to populate a 420 acre site in the Chew Valley with trees.
The charity has delightedly labelled it ‘a woodland created for the people, by the people.’
The new woodland is on a scale beyond anything Avon Needs Trees has attempted before. Once completed, with 100,000 native trees in the ground, the permanent forest site will be bigger than Leigh Woods. The charity are ‘beyond excited’ to get started.
CEO Dave Woods said, “The £120,613 we have raised will be used in the purchase of Wick Farm in Compton Dando, our location for the Lower Chew Forest.
“The fact we’ve exceeded our target means we’ll be able to really hit the ground running. It has been amazing watching our shared vision for the forest gaining momentum, whilst we have remained firmly rooted in what we do best – getting trees in the ground!”
The 420 acre ‘Wick Farm’ site is in Compton Dando in the Chew Valley – photo: Avon Needs Trees
Avon Needs Trees was motivated by the West of England’s comparatively low level of trees with, they say, just 7.8 per cent woodland cover in the region compared to the UK’s average of 13.2 per cent.
The campaign’s central focus has been climate action and nature recovery. The trees will tackle the early effects of climate change seen locally such as extreme weather, flooding, biodiversity loss and crop failure,
Alongside the trees, the charity is intent on establishing new wetland habitats, miles of hedgerow, and species-rich grassland.
Local residents are already looking forward to getting involved in planting up the new Lower Chew Forest – photo: Daisy Brasington
Trees and wetlands will slow the flow of water, preventing downstream flooding in local villages, Keynsham and Bristol. The new ‘mosaic landscape’ will provide habitats for a range of species to thrive.
People will also benefit directly from access to the woodland. Avon Needs Trees run free forest school activities and woodland skills programmes to enable young and unemployed people to access the green job sector.
Among hundreds of comments, campaign supporters said: “As a local resident I am thrilled to support and can’t wait to volunteer to get planting in the future!” and “Good for the River Chew, the Bristol Avon, the South West and the planet!”
Avon Needs Trees currently has four newly-established permanent woodlands. To join a tour of the Pensford site on May 5 visit: https://avonneedstrees.org.uk/events/walking-the-new-great-avon-wood/
Main photo: Daisy Brasington
This piece of independent journalism is supported by the Bristol24/7 public and business membership.
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