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‘Exploring the Impact of The Mersey Forest Natural Health Service’

This impact report explores how The Mersey Forest’s Natural Health Service supported mental health, wellbeing and physical health across Cheshire and Merseyside between 2019 and 2024. Produced with researchers from Liverpool John Moores University, it combines academic analysis with participant experiences from a range of nature‑based programmes. The findings show clear improvements in wellbeing, physical activity and social connection, highlighting the role accessible, community‑based nature programmes can play in supporting health and reducing inequalities across the region.

2026

Investing in Nature with The Mersey Forest

Discover how your organisation can be part of a story that transforms places and lives. The guide shares ways to work with The Mersey Forest to create woodlands, restore habitats and bring nature into schools and communities. From tree planting and natural flood management to biodiversity projects and volunteering, these opportunities help you meet ESG goals while inspiring your team and strengthening local connections.

2025

INTX case study

INTX and The Mersey Forest: A strategic partnership driving ESG impact

INTX, a Liverpool-based transport company, partnered with The Mersey Forest to create a model of local ESG action that delivers real benefits for people, nature and climate. Through regular contributions and staff volunteering, the partnership supports tree planting, habitat restoration and community wellbeing projects, generating measurable social and environmental value. This case study shows how a growing SME is turning sustainability goals into meaningful local impact and offers inspiration for businesses looking to invest in nature.

2025

It Starts with a Seed: Oaks at 80 poetry collection

It Starts With a Seed: Oaks at 80 is a poetry and artwork collection created by children from six Merseyside schools. Inspired by the Allerton Oak and the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, the project invited young people to explore local trees, reflect on their surroundings, and imagine the life of an oak over the next thousand years. This booklet celebrates their creativity, connecting today’s children with nature, heritage, and the enduring presence of trees in their communities.

2025

The Mersey Forest Delivery Plan 2025 – 2030

The Mersey Forest's Delivery Plan provides information on what and how we will deliver our long-term Forest Plan over the next 5 years. It includes our progress to date and what our focus will be to 2030, including some key targets.

2025

A guide to caring for your trees

Drawings and messages inspired by Year 3 children from Lindow Community Primary school with the help and support of our Community Forester, and Kate Pahl and Samyia Ambreen, from the ‘Voices of the Future’ research project. The booklet was illustrated by Maisy Summer, design by Studio Bilo. This work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council [NE/V021370/1] and Manchester Metropolitan University. Thanks to Lindow Community Primary School for their support.

2025

Oaks at 80 guidance and FAQs

This document provides more information about our Oaks at 80 programme, and guidance and frequently asked questions on finding and establishing a successful Oak tree.

2025

The Mersey Forest in 2025: How a Community Forest survives and thrives

An overview of The Mersey Forest Partnership’s work over the past 35 years, particularly since the government approved the first Forest Plan in October 1994, approximately 30 years ago. The study includes contributions from Prof. Anna Lawrence, who compiled information from various Mersey Forest sources dating back to the early 1990s, input from Mersey Forest Team members, and over 30 interviews with individuals from organisations involved in The Mersey Forest Partnership.

2025

More with Trees: The Mersey Forest Plan 2025, Summary

This is the summary version of More with Trees: The Mersey Forest Plan, the long-term strategic guide for the work of our team and partners, extending to 2050 and beyond. It includes our vision and key principles, organised under the headings Why, What, Who, How, Where, and When. The full Plan can be found under the About heading of our website. This is the fourth iteration of The Mersey Forest Plan.

2025

Looking after trees and woodland during dry weather

This practical guide brings together trusted advice and straightforward actions to help reduce the impact of drought on your land. It’s written for landowners of all types, whether you manage a few trees, farmland or a larger woodland, and is designed to be useful all year round.

2025

The benefits of trees and woodlands for people, climate and environment: a review of recent evidence

To support the development of new strategic plans for England's Community Forests, including The Mersey Forest Plan, the network commissioned Forest Research to undertake a structured review into the benefits of trees and woods, as relevant to England’s Community Forests. This review showed how trees provide a wide range of benefits to people, nature, and climate.

2025

The Mersey Forest at 30

This commemorative document captures highlights from our 30th anniversary celebration held in October 2024. It includes speeches from key figures past and present, reflecting on the origins, impact and future of The Mersey Forest Partnership. From its early vision of community-led greening to today’s wide-reaching achievements in tree planting, climate resilience and community wellbeing, the event marked three decades of collaboration, growth and hope.

2024

How to plant and care for trees in your garden

A short guide to planting and maintaining trees in your garden.

2024

Advice on beating up in the first few years of planting

In this video, The Mersey Forest’s Assistant Woodland Advisor, Tom, explains beating up—a key woodland management practice used to replace young trees that have died after planting. Beating up in forestry simply means replacing trees that have failed to survive in the early stages of establishment.

2023

Maintaining and removing tree shelters

The Mersey Forest's Community Foresters, Sophie, explains how to check and maintain your tree guards in the first few years of planting and how best to remove them.

2023

Keeping a weed free area around your tree

Community Forester Sophie explains why it is good practice to keep a one metre weed free area clear around your newly planted trees in this short video, and the ways you can achieve this.

2023

More from Trees – A Green Recovery through the Mersey Forest

More From Trees - a Green Recovery through the Mersey Forest was an 18 month project that The Mersey Forest managed and delivered in partnership with various partners and stakeholders.

2023

Taking root: How green investment is changing Birkenhead’s docklands

Wirral Waters is marketed as the largest regeneration project in the UK. It's a 30 year project to breathe new economic life into 300 acres that were once Birkenhead's thriving docks.

2022

Natural Health Service Impact Report 2015-2020

This report presents the various health impacts of the Natural Health Service delivery between 2015 and 2020. Showcasing impact data for over 3,000 participants and includes in-depth analysis of the Social Return of Investment for the service.

2022

Forest Education Network (England) Resource Hub

Forest Education learning resources and curriculum-linked session plans to get inspired for Outdoor Learning and develop your professional understanding. Hosted by the Royal Forestry Society, the Forest Education Network (England) is a community of organisations from across the Forest Education sector.

2021

Trees for Learning: Every Season Outdoors

An outdoor learning resource pack for Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2 and Early Years Foundation Stage children. Season by season, the pack is filled with activities that link to the curriculum.

2019

GI-Val (Green infrastructure valuation toolkit)

GI-Val is a toolkit which translates the benefits of green infrastructure into tangible, measurable data, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of its value. It was developed by The Mersey Forest and others from 2008 onwards. The latest version is from 2018.

2018

More From Trees: The Mersey Forest Plan 2014

This was the third iteration of The Mersey Forest Plan, published in 2014. The Mersey Forest Plan is the long-term and strategic guide to the work of the team and partners. This version of the Plan has since been superseded.

2014

Investigating the effectiveness of Forest School sessions on children’s physical activity levels

This is a mixed methods study which followed a sample of 59 child participants from 4 primary schools while taking part in 12 weekly Forest School sessions through the Natural Health Service. The study was conducted by The Mersey Forest in partnership with the Physical Activity Exchange at Liverpool John Moores University.

2013

The Mersey Forest Plan 2001

This was the second iteration of The Mersey Forest Plan, published in 2001. The Mersey Forest Plan is the long-term and strategic guide to the work of the team and partners. This version of the Plan has since been superseded.

2001

The Mersey Forest Plan 1994

This was the first ever Mersey Forest Plan, published in 1994. The Mersey Forest Plan is the long-term and strategic guide to the work of the team and partners. This version of the Plan has since been superseded.

1994

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