Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund

New fund to accelerate local authorities’ tree planting ambitions

57 local authorities across England have been awarded nearly £10 million in funding to accelerate tree planting activity, create green jobs and boost access to nature.

The Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund, which will run for the next two years, will be delivered by the Forestry Commission in partnership with Defra, will provide local authorities with financial support to boost capacity and resource, helping them to employ, train up and bring on board professional expertise to drive tree planting and woodland creation commitments.  

The Fund will kickstart tree planting activity, create new green jobs and boost access to nature, such as by employing new staff to access the professional expertise needed to drive tree planting and woodland creation activity at a local level. Planting will take place across the country in areas with lower tree cover, as well as through ambitious schemes expanding existing woodlands in rural settings. 

It is expected that more than 100 new green jobs will be created across the country as a result, with an emphasis on upskilling professionals from outside the forestry sector. This will help to expand the industry’s workforce, address skills shortages and help to grow the economy.    

Successful local authorities will be awarded up to £150,000 (per local authority) to establish the new people resource needed to develop planting plans and applications for capital funding in 23/24 and 24/25. This could include new members of staff, such as project managers, woodland creation officers, community engagement officers, funding consultants, or specialist advisors, such as landscape architects or archaeologists.

All upper tier authorities (county councils, unitary councils, London boroughs, metropolitan boroughs, combined authorities) were eligible to apply.
 

Update (November 2022)

The first WCAF payment has now been paid. If you have any questions you can contact the Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund team via [email protected]

For background information on the fund read the Forestry Commission’s latest blog or read the provided FAQs. You can also view the webinar held on 21st June: Click here to view a recording of the webinar.