A MAJOR project to rejuvenate Wales’ largest ancient woodland has received international recognition.

The project is a joint initiative between Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Woodland Trust (Coed Cadw) to make

Wentwood Forest, located between Magor and Usk, an even better place for people, wildlife and the local economy. 

It has now been accredited under the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy (QCC) initiative which will include it as part of a network of forest conservation projects across the Commonwealth. These projects focus on conserving indigenous forests for future generations and helping to address climate change.  

QCC projects must demonstrate sustainable forest conservation practices and encourage local people to help manage the project where possible. 

Wentwood Forest’s location means it is an important community woodland enjoyed by people for recreation, is a haven for wildlife and a sustainably managed source of timber.  

NRW and the Woodland Trust (Coed Cadw) will work with stakeholders and the local community to explore opportunities that will generate more well-being benefits.   

These could include for example recreational activities such as horse-riding and cycling, improving access, and using Wentwood as an open space to improve people’s mental health and well-being. 

Wentwood has a long history of conifer planting dating back to the 1800s and now is made up of a combination of commercial conifer forest and ancient native woodland. 

The challenge now is to restore Wentwood to a more natural state, gradually removing the conifers and converting it back to native broadleaves.  

This will recreate, enhance and then conserve a native woodland supporting a range of species and ecosystem services. 

The project at Wentwood is exceptional because it is one of the largest examples of its type in Britain, and the largest in Wales, covering 1,000 hectares. 

Diane McCrea, chair of Natural Resources Wales said: “In partnership with the Woodland Trust, this is an excellent example of our collaborative approach to pursue the sustainable management of natural resources.

“We are committed to restoring Wentwood to a more natural state.

“Working with the local community and others, will make it more resilient to climate change, pests and

diseases.

“And it will also enhance a much-loved area of woodland that generates many well-being benefits, supporting opportunities for recreation, access, education and learning.”  

Natalie Buttriss, who has just taken up the post of director of Wales for the Woodland Trust, said: 

“Since we bought the site it’s been our aim to gradually restore it to its former, broad-leaved glory and to demonstrate the benefits of doing this. 

“That’s why I’m so delighted that we’re working with NRW on a landscape scale to restore Wentwood and that the project has been accredited to The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy. 

“Together, we can achieve a lot more than either of us could do alone.”  

Restoring this ancient woodland will help it continue to contribute to the economic, social and cultural well-being of Wales, now and for future generations. 

With its newly acquired status, Wentwood joins forests from across the Commonwealth, from Canada to Australia and the Seychelles, under the umbrella of the QCC.