The Great Avon Wood is another step closer to completion after a record-breaking day of tree planting.

In February, woodland creation charity Avon Needs Trees (ANT) planted more trees in a single day than ever before thanks to the work of public volunteers and a large group from the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).

These 1,100 trees are already helping to create new hedgerows and expand this landmark woodland between Bristol and Bath.

This milestone was made possible due to the hard work of a passionate team of volunteers from the environment directorate team from WECA.

As well as volunteering on site, WECA has also provided financial support for the Great Avon Wood project, which has seen 31,000 trees go in the ground since 2023.

WECA is also providing game-changing support for ANT’s newest project the Lower Chew Forest, which will be the largest new woodland in the South West for a generation.

The planting of 100,000 native trees at the charity’s newest and biggest project began this winter. With the support of a £2 million grant from WECA, 1,200 volunteers started work to establish the first nature-rich hedgerows, wetlands and grasslands on the 422 acre site.

Dave Wood, chief executive of Avon Needs Trees, said “We are so grateful for the support of the Mayoral Combined Authority. Without it, transformative projects like Great Avon Wood and Lower Chew Forest simply wouldn’t be possible.

“This record-breaking planting day is proof of what we can achieve together and furthers ambitious plans for nature recovery across the region.”

Great Avon Wood is almost fully planted and ready to be enjoyed by the public, just in time for a new heritage trail walking path set to open later this year.

For more information or to join a planting day, visit avonneedstrees.org.uk.