First Trees of the Season Planted at Ehenside, Cleator Moor

Raise: Cumbria Community Forest has kicked off the 2025–26 planting season at Ehenside, Cleator Moor, with the first trees going into the ground today.

We were joined by pupils from Montreal CofE Primary School and Cumberland Councillor Michael Eldon to celebrate the start of this new community woodland, which has been shaped by local voices through two years of consultation.

Pupils from Montreal CofE Primary School with Raise team members and Councillor Michael Eldon at Ehenside.

The Ehenside site, owned by Cumberland Council, has been developed in close partnership with the council and local residents. Through Raise’s drop-in sessions and Raise Collective engagement events, the community shared ideas for how the land could be used and enjoyed. This input has been vital in shaping the woodland, ensuring it reflects local priorities and interests.

Next week, West House members – who played an important role in our community consultation - will also join the planting effort, continuing the community involvement that has guided the project from the start.

“We’ve been really encouraged by the feedback and ideas shared through the consultation process,” said James Cobbold, Director at Raise. “It’s exciting to see the first trees planted in a space that has been genuinely shaped by local voices.”

Cumberland Councillor Michael Eldon, who grew up in the area, said:

“It’s fantastic to see the first trees going into the ground at Ehenside. I grew up in this area and used to play on this very land as a child, so it’s fantastic to see an underused area being transformed into something positive for the community. This woodland will give my children and others a place to enjoy nature for years to come.

“This project is also great example of what can be achieved when the council, local residents, and partners work together. This is a true community achievement – shaped by local voices and built on shared ideas, creating a space everyone can be proud of.”

Raise’s work focuses on creating accessible green spaces, supporting climate resilience, and fostering inclusive participation - particularly through a neurodivergent-led approach that values diverse ways of working with land and community.

This year’s planting at Ehenside is just the start of what we hope will be a thriving woodland for the local community and a space shaped by the people who will enjoy it for generations.

About the programmes supporting this work

• Raise: Cumbria Community Forest is one of England’s 15 Community Forests, a nationally recognised network working to restore woodlands, support nature recovery, and bring long-term benefits to communities and landscapes.

• The Ehenside planting has been made possible with support from Trees for Climate, a UK Government-funded programme run by England’s Community Forests. Trees for Climate helps landowners, farmers, and community groups plant trees and create woodlands that tackle climate change, support biodiversity, and provide new green spaces for local communities.

About Raise

Raise is reimagining what woodlands can be: more inclusive, more creative, and more connected to the ways people truly experience the world. As a neurodivergent-led organisation, we centre neurodivergent perspectives to help reshape environmental action, creating stronger ecosystems and more inclusive communities.

Through Raise: Cumbria Community Forest, covering 1,300 square miles and guided by a 25-year vision for healthier treescapes and fairer access, we champion community-led woodland creation, stewardship, nature-based health initiatives, and cultural engagement – offering funding and practical support to bring these ideas to life.