Community forest confirms climate funding to 2030
NECFA tree-planting project has secured government funding to continue its work until at least 2030.
The North East Community Forest (NECF) is an environmental initiative working across Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland, and urban areas throughout County Durham.
One of several community forests that will receive support from phase two of the government's Trees for Climate programme, NECF said the extended funding "provides the confidence and stability needed to continue creating woodlands".
Since it was established in 2021, NCEF has planted more than 642,000 trees and created nearly 700 hectares of new woodland across the North East.
Forest manager Lloyd Jones said: "With long-term funding in place, we are well positioned to expand our impact and deliver lasting benefits for communities and the environment across the North East."
During the 2025-26 season, NECF planted 125,375 trees and created 158 hectares of new woodland, hedgerows and open space habitats across the region.
The organisation previously supported Ouseburn Farm in Byker, a nature-based play and learning project in Newcastle and the planting of a Sycamore Gap sapling on the city's Town Moor.
Since 2021, the Trees for Climate project has seen new plants spring up across the NECF region, from North Shields down to Newton Aycliffe.