UK Launches Second National Forest, Planting Millions of Trees

In a major push for environmental conservation and economic development, the UK government has announced plans to establish a second national forest in the country. This comes as part of a £1 billion investment in tree planting and support for the forestry sector, fulfilling a manifesto commitment to create three new national forests.

The first of these new forests was announced earlier this year, stretching from the Cotswolds to the Mendips in the west of England. Now, the government has revealed that the second national forest will be located between the university towns of Oxford and Cambridge, an area known as the "Ox-Cam" corridor.

Officials say the new forest will be designed alongside the development of new homes, jobs, and infrastructure in the region, aiming to link the leading academic centers and drive economic growth and innovation. Millions of trees will be planted in the new forest areas as part of the government's efforts to tackle climate change and restore nature.

Looking ahead, the government has also stated that a competition will be launched in 2026 to choose the site for a third national forest, either in the Midlands or the north of England. This ambitious tree planting program is expected to create and support more than 14,000 jobs, while also enhancing access to nature for local communities.