England has 12 community forests which have been developed through the England Community Forest Programme. This programme is a partnership between the Forestry Commission, the Countryside Agency and a host of local and national organisations.
Since their inception, the community forests have played a key role in revitalising the areas around many of England's towns and cities. They have also helped deliver a successful balance of economic, social and environmental benefits to those communities. Because of the community forest programme, half of England's population now lives in, or is within easy reach of, a community forest.
Britain is a highly urbanised country and has the second lowest level of tree cover in the European Union. Community forests, therefore, play an essential role in ensuring that more and more people have access to higher quality greenspace on their doorsteps, providing better and more attractive places for living, working and recreation.
To find out more about community forests, visit the England's Community Forests website, or any of the local community forest websites listed to the right.
