Avon Needs Trees
14th May 2024We did it!
Last Friday, we officially purchased the land to create the Lower Chew Forest, the South West's largest new woodland in a generation!
After months of hard work behind the scenes we are overjoyed to have finally got this purchase over the line and start making this dream project a reality.
Celebrating the purchase of Wick Farm with representatives from Avon Needs Trees, Forest of Avon Trust, Triodos Bank, and DEFRA . Photo credit: Daisy Brasington at Remember the Future.
Over the next few years, the 422 acre site at Wick Farm, Compton Dando will be transformed into the Lower Chew Forest. It will be home to 100,000 trees and shrubs, new wetland habitats, miles of hedgerow, and species-rich grassland. The scale of this woodland project is quite frankly immense, and one of major significance for climate action and nature recovery in our region.
However, none of this would be possible without you. We want to give a huge, heartfelt thank you to the 1000+ generous individuals, organisations, and businesses who supported our fundraising campaign and helped us raise a phenomenal £171,955 towards the purchase of Wick Farm.
For those of you who selected a reward as part of your donation, keep an eye on your inbox as we will be in touch with more information about that very soon.
This groundbreaking project has also been made possible thanks to grant funding from the Forest of Avon Trust via the Trees for Climate land acquisition fund backed by Defra’s Nature for Climate Fund, and a loan provided by Triodos bank.
Wick Farm site tour with representatives from Avon Needs Trees, Forest of Avon Trust, Triodos Bank, and DEFRA . Photo credit: Daisy Brasington at Remember the Future.
Over the next few months, we will be sharing even more exciting updates about the Lower Chew Forest - be sure to keep an eye on our social media channels and newsletter!In the meantime, you can find out more about this incredible project and ways to support on our website at https://avonneedstrees.org.uk