BA Better World Community Fund – Planet has provided £86,000 of match funding
Planting 9,000 trees at Alice Holt Forest
Farnham, Hampshire, United Kingdom
Aim
With BA’s support, Forestry England are planting 9,000 trees at Alice Holt Forest in Hampshire, helping to restore ancient woodland.
British Airways and Forestry England have been working in partnership since 2024, having already planted 9,000 trees and over 1,100 m2 of wildflower meadow in Buckinghamshire, plus a further 9,000 trees in Northumberland.
In early 2026, a selection of 9,000 trees will be planted at Alice Holt Forest in Hampshire, thanks to funding from the British Airways Better World Community Fund. As part of this project, we will also be capturing baseline ecological data through environmental DNA (eDNA) testing, allowing us to monitor the positive impact of our work over time.
Alice Holt Forest covers an area of 845.4 hectares and is located within the South Downs National Park. The site contains a small section of Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on the north western side.
The forest is popular for recreation, receiving more than 500,000 visits a year. Activities on offer include walking, cycling and horse-riding, as well as a dedicated outdoor education centre.
This planting project forms a part of wider 10 year plan to restore ancient woodland at the site, with the following objectives:
- Restore planted ancient woodland sites using native species, increasing broadleaf species from 47% to 93%
- Support biodiversity across the site by enhancing existing woodland habitats and creating new open habitats
- Ensure the longevity of the woodland through diverse planting, providing protection from future threats including: climate change, wildfires, pests and diseases.
- Provide, maintain and enhance where possible the recreational experience of the woodland.
- Support the creation and aims of new and current research plots.
This project successfully funded on 5th March 2026