Schoolchildren have played a leading role in a major woodland restoration project at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, where more than 9,000 trees have now been planted.
The milestone marks the completion of the Silk Wood Community Planting Project, a three-year effort to restore woodland affected by ash dieback while connecting young people with nature.
Young people have been at the heart of the project from the very beginning. They didn’t just help plant trees — they helped shape the woodland itself.
One pupil’s design was selected and incorporated into the final woodland layout, giving children a lasting legacy within the forest.
“I’ve really enjoyed seeing the design come to life,” she said.
Over the past three years, schoolchildren have returned again and again to plant, care for and monitor the young trees, building a strong sense of ownership and pride.
A teacher involved in the project said, “It is a great pleasure being involved with the project since the start, from designing to planting. We have enjoyed watching the area develop and cannot wait to watch the saplings grow. It is so beneficial for our children to be involved in a community project outside our school community, that will carry on for years after they leave our school.”
The hands-on experience has given pupils valuable insight into the natural world. They have learned how to measure tree height, identify species and understand how forests are managed, while also taking part in creative activities such as nature journalling and mindful photography.
Alongside school groups, more than 4,000 volunteers from over 50 organisations have contributed to the project.
Together, they have planted a diverse mix of species, including oak, small-leaved lime, field maple and Italian alder, helping future-proof the woodland against climate change.
Project manager Oscar Adams said, “The Silk Wood Community Planting Project has been about far more than getting trees in the ground. It’s been about giving people from all walks of life the opportunity to learn new skills, get outside and feel part of the future of this woodland. Watching groups come back each year and care for their growing trees has been incredibly rewarding.”
The project has also delivered strong wellbeing benefits, with participants taking part in nature-based sessions designed to boost mental health and encourage connection with the outdoors.
With a sapling survival rate of more than 90%, the project has exceeded industry standards — a reflection of the care and commitment shown by the young people and volunteers involved.
As the woodland continues to grow, thousands of children will be able to say they helped shape it — creating a lasting, living legacy for future generations.
