Welford Park launches new woodland creation and carbon project

Welford Park has planted 15 acres of new woodland across its estate.

The estate has expanded its current woodland by planting more than 10,000 new oak, birch, maple, hazel and other traditional saplings in a bid to enhance its wildlife and biodiversity.

The planting project will be registered within a Carbon Sequestration Programme, which will pull thousands of tonnes of carbon out of the atmosphere over the next 80 years.

The project is the brainchild of Will Puxley, heir to the Welford Estate, and Rob Waterston, Welford’s farm manager, who have worked closely with Pryor & Rickett Forestry and the Forestry Commission to bring the fully grant-funded project to life.

Mr Puxley said: “It is extremely important to everyone at Welford that we do our bit to combat the climate crisis, and this new project will be doing exactly that with our carbon credits becoming fully valid in time for net zero [2050], the timing could not be more perfect.

“I am extremely proud of this project and looking forward to extending our woodland and wild areas further in years to come.”

“Creating new woodland and growing out our wild areas is key to the estate moving forward,” added Mr Waterston.

“It will ultimately help with our soil health and biodiversity in the chosen areas which, in turn, will benefit our farming enterprise.”

Planting will be completed by February, with the project being registered and verified by the Woodland Carbon Code.