Over the last 12 years, the Environment Agency has co-ordinated the planting of over 80,000 trees across Cumbria.
The trees have provided riverbank stabilisation, created shaded areas to boost fish populations, helped to slow the flow of rivers during high rainfall and brought countless benefits for biodiversity and wildlife.
This achievement supports the new coastal community forest being created in Cumbria announced by Defra, England’s Community Forest and Cumbria County Council last Saturday.
The tree planting years was funded by money from the sale of Environment Agency fishing licences and a number of partner organisations including local angling associations, Natural England, Lake District National Park, Rivers trusts and Forestry England.
Mike Farrell, of the Environment Agency, said: “Planting over 80,000 trees is a significant achievement that brings countless benefits for people, the environment and the wildlife that depend on it.
“I would like to thank all our partners for the support and commitment that they have shown over the years. Without them, this achievement would not have been possible.
“Our combined efforts to create new woodlands have boosted biodiversity, helped safeguard our environment for future generations and supported sustainable rural communities.
“We are always on the lookout for volunteers to spend the day tree planting with us and with 3,000 trees ready to be planted between now and March 2022 I would like to urge anyone interested to get in touch.”
