Over 194,000 Trees Planted Across Cumbria in 2024–25 Season

Raise: Cumbria Community Forest has completed its third successful planting season, bringing the total number of trees planted since 2022 to more than 339,000.

Between November 2024 and March 2025, Raise worked with communities, landowners and delivery partners to plant over 194,000 native trees across 112 hectares of land. The work took place at 21 different sites spanning the region, from Carlisle to Barrow.

From farms and school grounds to community spaces and council-owned land, each scheme was co-designed to reflect the character of the place and the needs of the people who use it.

“We’re proud not only of the trees we’ve planted, but of the partnerships we’ve built – especially with groups who face greater barriers to accessing green space,” said James Cobbold, Director of Raise.
“This season has shown what’s possible when woodland creation is approached collaboratively and creatively.”

Supporting Inclusive Woodland Creation

Raise is reimagining what woodlands can be – more inclusive, more creative, and more connected to the ways people truly experience the world. With neurodivergent perspectives informing our leadership and design approach, we champion community-led woodland creation and cultural engagement across 1,300 square miles of Cumbria.

This season, Raise worked with over 1,900 local people through planting days, creative workshops and hands-on sessions that explored people’s relationship with land, landscape and wellbeing.

All planting included a mix of native trees and scrub, tailored to the setting and purpose of each site – whether reducing flood risk, increasing access to nature, or enhancing biodiversity.

Volunteers planting trees at a community site in Cummersdale.

Funding and Delivery

Raise is primarily funded through the Trees for Climate programme, part of the Nature for Climate Fund delivered by Defra in partnership with England’s Community Forests. Local delivery this season was supported by the Woodland Trust and West Cumbria Rivers Trust.

Raise offers flexible grants that can cover up to 100% of the costs of creating new woodland – including infrastructure and long-term maintenance. This support also funds community consultation and engagement, which we deliver in-house, working collaboratively with landowners to shape each site.

“By centring neurodivergent perspectives and working creatively with communities, we’re not just planting trees – we’re designing more inclusive, welcoming and resilient landscapes,” added Cobbold.

Looking Ahead

Planning is already underway for the 2025–26 planting season, which begins this autumn. Raise welcomes enquiries from landowners and community groups who are interested in starting or expanding their own woodland schemes.

To find out more, visit our Funding page or get in touch.

Aerial photo of a planting site in Cummersdale, Cumbria.

About Raise

Raise is a neurodivergent-led organisation working to create stronger ecosystems and more inclusive communities through nature-based action. We support people across Cumbria to co-create new woodlands, deliver nature-based health projects, and explore forest culture through art, research and education.

Raise: Cumbria Community Forest is part of England’s Community Forests, a network of 15 forests regenerating land in and around towns and cities across the country. Since the programme began, more than 8 million trees have been planted across England.

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