More than 6,000 trees have been planted at a national arboretum.
Westonbirt Arboretum has gained 6,700 trees since last year, with the help of community groups, schools, and colleges.
As part of the Silk Wood Community Planting Project, 3,400 trees were planted between November and April.
More than 900 people from 40 groups spent 140 hours digging, planting, and protecting the mix of mostly native trees.
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This has helped to restore three hectares of ancient woodland devastated by ash dieback, a fungal disease that kills ash trees.
The project engaged individuals from 13 schools, one university, 12 youth groups, and 14 other groups based in and around Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Bristol.
The project specifically targeted young people, people from disadvantaged backgrounds, those with neurodiverse conditions, and a broad range of ethnicities.
Claire McDougall, chief executive of mental health and learning disability charity Phoenix Enterprises, whose group helped plant 76 trees in February, said: "This planting project is bringing another dimension to people’s lives.
"They’re growing something, they’re planting something, they’re learning skills you just don’t get in a warehouse environment.
"They’re also having time to think about wellbeing and being present in nature, which really helps with their mental health, and helps broaden their horizons."
One participant, Thomas, said: "I love how our trees would make everyone happy about what we’ve done.
"Being in nature makes me feel very calm."
Employment specialist at Phoenix Enterprises, Louise Hunt Skelley, added: "It’s been wonderful to see the impact it’s had on everyone we support, being out in the fresh air, getting exercise, and most importantly having fun.
"It’s also great to leave a legacy on a local area that’s clearly very special."
The work does not stop here.
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During the summer, Westonbirt is inviting groups back again to help care for the young trees they helped plant and to engage in several workshops including green careers, carbon and tree measuring, wildlife surveys, and eDNA soil sampling.
However, this winter’s work is a huge step towards the 9,000 total trees to be planted by April 2026, helping to increase biodiversity, build resilience to future threats such as climate change within the woodland, and give as many people as possible vital access to nature and the outdoors.
The Silk Wood Community Planting Project has been made possible by funding and support from The Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Julia Rausing Trust, and others.
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