We are delighted that The Carbon Community’s Coedwig Glandwr / Glandwr Forest has joined the National Forest for Wales.
What is the National Forest for Wales?
The National Forest for Wales is a long‑term programme led by Welsh Government to create a connected network of woodlands running across the country. Rather than being a single, continuous block of trees, it's made up of many different sites connected by a common purpose: to protect nature and address biodiversity loss for a sustainable future.
There are now over 100 woodland sites that are part of this unique program; some are on the Welsh Government estate, others are owned by local authorities or private landowners, and some, like Glandwr Forest, are run by charities or not-for-profit organisations.
Why are we joining?
When The Carbon Community started work at Glandwr Forest in 2020, our ambition was to bring together trees, science and people. On an upland site with veteran oaks, hedgerow trees, and pockets of semi‑ancient woodland, we began creating a new broadleaf woodland wrapped around a 12‑hectare field‑trial facility for carbon research.
“Over the last six years, both the trees and our community have grown. We are delighted to join the National Forest for Wales, strengthening our connection with woodlands across the country.” Heather Allen, Co-founder and Trustee
Trees
Glandwr Forest is an award-winning broadleaf forest that was planted with climate resilience in mind, combining species suited to current and projected future conditions. Careful early management has already paid off, with many trees now over five metres tall and natural regeneration beginning to appear around the site.
Within the forest, mature hedgerow trees and hedgerows connect a mosaic of habitats including newly planted woodland, semi-ancient woodland, species-rich meadows and peat. This connectivity is not only important for the species that are already here, it also prepares the landscape for those that may arrive in future. Being part of the National Forest means that this local web of habitats also plays a role in a much larger network.
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Science
At the heart of Glandwr Forest is the Glandwr Forest Carbon Study, a long‑term field trial that spans 11.5 hectares or 18 football pitches. The study was designed in partnership with researchers from Imperial College London, Kew Gardens, University of Sheffield, and ETH Zürich. This research looks at two types of forest, broadleaf and conifer, and two nature-based interventions, enhanced rock weathering and microbiome enrichment, to see how they impact tree resilience, tree growth and carbon sequestration above and below ground.
The forest has also become a hub for research and innovation. Master's and PhD students from several universities have conducted research at the site, and there is exciting work underway with Swansea University on how best to monitor young trees using drone‑based measurements for Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV).
This commitment to learning, research and innovation is another cornerstone of the National Forest for Wales vision, and we are excited to share findings and learn from others in the network.
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People
None of this would be possible without people. Each year, volunteers, neighbours, students and partner organisations join us for events including tree planting, meadow walks and community science. Our community science program is an opportunity for people to get involved by taking measurements or helping to maintain our research areas, and includes annual events such as our Carbon Study Spruce Up and our flagship Big Tree Measure. In 2024 and 2025 alone, more than sixty events brought people to Glandwr Forest to plant trees, maintain paths, learn skills and contribute to cutting‑edge research.
Access
During volunteering events and open days, people can join our activities and learn more about the site. Advanced registration is required for all events. Sign-up to our newsletter to be the first to know or check our website for updates.
We are excited about the opportunity to share what we are learning at Glandwr Forest and to learn from others in return. As part of the National Forest for Wales community of practice, we hope to contribute to a wider conversation about how forests can support biodiversity, climate resilience, research and community wellbeing for generations to come.
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