Hardknott Forest
Broughton-in-Furness, Lake District
Restoring Hardknott Forest are restoring one of the largest conifer plantations in the Lake District National Park to native woodland, for the benefit of people, nature and climate. The project is being run as a partnership between Forestry England and the University of Leeds, combining practical conservation, informed by research and monitoring, to create and restore 630 hectares of native woodland and other wildlife rich habitats.
Protect Earth helped out with a contribution of 700 trees, which is a very small amount for such a huge project. Why only 700? Well, natural regeneration is already doing a brilliant job. Much like at our site High Wood, when converting a timber plantation to a native ecosystem you mainly just need to harvest the timber, then let nature fill in the gaps. Some of the land was too far from appropriate seed sources, so for the sake of biodiversity and ensuring a fully functional ecosystem, we supplied 700 supplementary locally sourced saplings of Juniper, Hawthorn, and Hazel. These species will provide more undergrowth to provide food and shelter, inviting more wildlife into the regenerating woodland.
In partnership with
Species Planted
- Hawthorn
- Hazel
- Black Poplar
- Juniper
Site Location
Help Protect Earth - Take Action Now
Volunteer
Help us create and maintain new woodlands, hedgerows and wildflower meadows! We need volunteers to sow seeds, plant saplings, clear invasive plant species and pick up litter. No qualifications necessary; jobs for all ages and abilities. Come and turn climate anxiety into climate action!
Fund Our Work
With government funding for reforestation and rewilding tenuous, we increasingly rely on our amazing community to keep us growing regardless of political shifts. Help Protect Earth continue to restore ecosystems and improve biodiversity across the country.
Support the Land Fund
Help us put down roots! Your donations to our Land Fund let us seize the moment when the perfect piece of land comes up for sale. Every penny helps us secure community woodlands, healthier ecosystems, and a greener future for generations to come.