Developing the National Forest for Wales in the Biosphere

The National Forest for Wales is the Welsh Government’s vision for a network of woodlands that run across Wales. Now we are looking at a section for the Dyfi Biosphere. Darllen yn Gymraeg.

The National Forest for Wales is a visionary plan for a network of woodlands across the country, bringing environmental and health benefits as well as increasing tree cover. Starting with areas of existing ancient woodland in Wales, it will encourage communities, farmers and landowners to create new forest areas. Anyone with a suitable woodland can join in.

There are six aims that the Forest aims to fulfil, although not every woodland will support all of them. They are:

• Good quality, well designed and managed resilient woodlands

• Woodlands accessible to people

• Community involvement in woodlands

• Connected woodlands

• Dynamic, multi purpose woodlands and trees

• Woodlands that demonstrate  learning, research and innovation

One of the first round of official sites to be recognised is the Dyfi Forest, of which Tan y Coed is well loved by many for its history and recreational use. There is great potential to develop a ‘landscape scale’ section of the National Forest for Wales site across the Biosphere, with collaborating woodland organisations and owners. 

Earlier this year, there was a two-month pilot project to investigate the possibilities: see our blog post on Restoring Celtic rainforests in the Biosphere. The project was led by Ceredigion Local Nature Partnership and the partners were Ceredigion County Council, Coetir Anian, Coed Lleol / Smallwoods, RSPB Ynyshir, Eryri National Park Authority and Camu Ymlaen and Padarn Day Support Services.

The results were very positive, showing opportunities for increasing biodiversity in woodlands, providing spaces for therapeutic and educational activities, and generating an income through timber harvesting. 

Meanwhile, there are many other organisations active in woodland projects that overlap with the Biosphere, many of whom work from the National Forestry Hub based in Machynlleth. These projects include the Woodland Trust’s programme of work in the Dyfi to Dwyryd area and Coed Lleol/Biosffer Dyfi’s Awyr Iach outdoor health service.

As a result, the Biosphere is convening a group of interested people, including voluntary organisations and private woodland owners, to see what more could be done. As a first step, we will be applying to Welsh Government’s Landscape Scheme for a project that would run in 2026-27 and would build on our earlier project.

We would like to invite private woodland owners and other organisations with an interest to join in the discussion. Please contact the Biosphere if you are interested.

Image: Coed Cadw/Woodland Trust