The Mersey Forest is a growing network of woodlands and green spaces across North Cheshire and Merseyside, which has been creating 'woodlands on your doorstep' for over 20 years. Our story starts back in the early 1990s, when 12 areas of England were chosen to be the focus of long-term tree planting programmes to improve the local environment for the benefit of people, wildlife and the economy. The largest of these designated Community Forest areas covers more than 500 square miles of Merseyside and North Cheshire and was named The Mersey Forest. Since then, through community and partnership working The Mersey Forest Partnership has planted more than 8 million trees – equivalent to five new trees for every person living within the Forest area. Praised as a "visionary concept", our 'more from trees' approach brings a whole host of environmental, health and economic benefits.