Over 194,000 trees have been planted across Cumbria.
Raise: Cumbria Community Forest said it had completed another successful planting season, working with communities, landowners, and partners to plant the trees across 112 hectares of land from Carlisle to Barrow.
From farms and school grounds to community spaces and council land, this season’s planting supported 21 local sites.
Raise said it was reimagining what woodlands can be – more inclusive, more creative, and more connected to the ways people truly experience the world.
It has neurodivergent perspectives informing its leadership and design approach and it aimed to champion community-led woodland creation and cultural engagement across 1,300 square miles, guided by a 25-year vision for healthier, fairer treescapes.
James Cobbold, director, said: “This season has shown what’s possible when woodland creation is approached collaboratively and creatively.
“We’re proud not only of the trees we’ve planted, but of the connections we’ve made – with landowners, farmers, schools and local people.
“And we’re especially proud of the growing partnerships with groups who experience greater barriers to accessing green space, particularly neurodivergent communities.”
Planting took place between November and March this year.
The programme is primarily funded by Trees for Climate, delivered in partnership with England’s Community Forests and supported by Defra. Delivery was also carried out by the Woodland Trust and West Cumbria Rivers Trust.
Raise offers flexible grants that can cover up to 100% of the costs for creating new woodland, including infrastructure and long-term maintenance.
Through the funding, it also leads community consultation and engagement activities, providing expert support and working collaboratively with landowners to design schemes suited to a range of settings – from working farms and flood-prone fields to schools and nature reserves.
Raise said it engaged with over 1,900 local people through hands-on planting events, workshops, and creative sessions exploring people’s relationships to land, landscape and wellbeing.
James added: “By centring neurodivergent perspectives and working creatively with communities, we’re not just planting trees, we’re designing more inclusive, welcoming, and resilient landscapes.”
This year’s planting brings the total number of trees planted by Raise to 339,237 over three years.
Planting for the 2025-26 season begins this autumn.
Raise is currently developing new schemes and welcomes enquiries from landowners and community groups interested in woodland creation.
