Action Plan 2026-31

The White Rose Forest Action Plan 2026-2031 is a five year road map that will guide our work and priorities as a partnership towards delivery of the longer-term Strategy 2025-50.

Why this plan matters?

The next five years represent a pivotal transition period for the White Rose Forest as a partnership and team. As we move beyond reliance on a single funding source, this plan sets out how we will: 

• Strengthen the partnership’s long-term sustainability 
• Diversify income and develop new funding opportunities 
• Continue delivering lasting benefits for people, nature and place. 

Building on the success of the Action Plan 2021-25  – which saw £27.5 million invested and around 2.5 million trees planted – we are now focused on scaling our impact and securing our future. 

What we’re aiming to achieve by 2031 

By the end of this plan period, we want the White Rose Forest to be: 

• Financially resilient, with diverse and sustainable income streams 
• Supported by active, engaged partners across the region 
• Stronger through collaboration, working with communities, businesses and stakeholders committed to the same cause as we are 
• Delivering measurable progress towards our long-term 2050 vision.

Our priorities for the next five years

This Action Plan focuses on five key areas:

1. Woodland establishment

Maximising the benefits of trees and woodland creation through all our schemes, regardless of size, we are committed to establishing quality sites, contributing to delivering jobs, bringing nature closer to people and planting in priority areas that deliver on our 2050 strategic objectives.  

2. Sustainable management

Exploring approaches to increase sustainable management and improve the condition of woodlands across Yorkshire, including ancient and long-established woodland. 

3. Public engagement

Increasing the number of people engaged in the work of our partnership and focusing our social forestry offer on health, wellbeing and green skills initiatives. 

4. Promotion and policy

Embedding trees and woodland into planning, policy and decision-making and championing the role of trees in climate resilience, nature recovery, public health and economic growth.

5. Fundraising and sustainability

Developing new income streams and reducing reliance on single source funding over time.  

A collective effort

The success of this plan depends on collective action. The local authorities, combined authorities and national parks that make up the central White Rose Forest partnership as well as local environmental organisations, community groups and businesses, all have a vital role to play. This Action Plan is intended to be a partnership document. Together, we will: 

• Align strategies and shared priorities
• Share knowledge and best practice
• Unlock new opportunities for investment and delivery

Looking ahead 

This Action Plan is more than a delivery programme; it’s a framework for monitoring and a legacy and transition plan that will help ensure the White Rose Forest continues to thrive beyond 2031. 

Together we can create a vast and varied and resilient landscape that benefits people, nature and places in Yorkshire for generations to come.

Annual impact report

Click on the link below to read about some of our recent achievements in our latest impact report.