Who are we?
The North East Community Forest (NECF) is a growing regional partnership dedicated to creating greener, healthier and more resilient places across the North East.
Established in 2021 as part of England’s Community Forests, we bring together local authorities, landowners, environmental charities, businesses and community groups with one shared mission: to plant more trees and nurture thriving natural spaces. From planting new urban woodlands and restoring hedgerows to transforming parks, school grounds and rural landscapes, we’re working together to grow a greener future for everyone who calls the North East home.
Our Vision
“To create a thriving, resilient and sustainable multipurpose forest that delivers lasting benefits for people, economy, nature and the environment across North East England for generations to come.”
How we work
Our dedicated Forest Team coordinates this effort, guiding partners and landowners through planning, funding, and delivery. From small-scale planting to large woodland creation, we provide expert advice and access to competitive grants like the government-funded Trees for Climate grant, making it easy to turn ideas into reality.
Use this website to apply for funding, learn about our projects, or to simply discover ways to work with, or support us. Together, we can grow a forest that benefits people, wildlife, and the environment for generations to come.