Woodland Trust in Wales publishes manifesto ahead of the next Senedd term

Daniel Bevan - Editor

Subscribe to the Businessin Wales daily newsletter for FREE here.

Trees and woodland should be treated as “essential infrastructure” in Wales, according to a new policy blueprint published ahead of the next Senedd term.

Coed Cadw, the Welsh arm of the Woodland Trust, has launched its latest manifesto, Rooted Together, calling on policymakers to embed trees at the centre of decisions on public health, the economy and climate resilience.

The document sets out the organisation’s priorities for the next Welsh Government, arguing that investment in woodland can help address mounting pressures ranging from stretched public services and economic inequality to flooding risks and rural sustainability.

Coed Cadw is urging ministers in the next Welsh Government to move beyond viewing trees as a secondary environmental concern, instead positioning them as core national infrastructure with long-term economic and social value.

Kylie Jones Mattock, Director at Coed Cadw, said: “Trees are not a luxury. They are essential infrastructure.

“They cool our streets during heatwaves, clean the air, help reduce flooding, support wildlife, strengthen rural resilience and improve health and wellbeing.

“At a time when Wales is under pressure on so many fronts, from the NHS to the economy, we need to recognise trees for what they are: one of the smartest long-term investments we can make in a healthier, fairer and more resilient country.

“This manifesto is our call to the next Welsh Government to put trees and woods at the heart of decision-making – not at the margins of it.”

The manifesto outlines four core priorities, including making “tree equity” a national mission, strengthening the resilience of farming communities, protecting ancient woodland and expanding the woodland economy through green jobs and skills development.

Among its recommendations are the introduction of long-term woodland strategies for councils, stronger legal protections for ancient and veteran trees, and greater support for nature-focused agriculture through schemes such as the Sustainable Farming Scheme.

Inigo Atkin, Policy & Advocacy Manager, added: “This is not just about planting more trees. It is about recognising the full value of trees to Wales – for public health, for climate resilience, for farming, for jobs, and for the quality of the places where people live.

“If the next Senedd is serious about building a stronger Wales for the long term, trees need to be part of that plan.”