Moor Trees celebrates 25th anniversary in 2025

A Devon charity is marking a significant milestone next year as Moor Trees celebrates its 25th anniversary with a packed schedule of events. 

Dedicated to restoring native woodland across Dartmoor, the charity has spent the past quarter-century working towards a wilder, more natural environment.

Throughout 2025, Moor Trees will commemorate its achievements and continue to push toward its vision of a Dartmoor with one-third native woodland and scrub cover by 2050. 

The charity is calling on volunteers, landowners, and nature lovers to support its ambitious plans to restore and expand woodlands across the region.

Moor Trees has already made significant progress in its mission.

Over the years, the charity has become a principal producer of Dartmoor provenance trees, supporting over 160 local woodland creation and habitat restoration schemes. 

The goal for the next 25 years is to plant 10 million more trees through careful planting and natural regeneration, revitalising depleted woodlands and creating wildlife corridors across Dartmoor.

Helen Aldis, Chief Executive of Moor Trees, expressed her gratitude for the dedication and support the charity has received.

“It cannot be overstated how indebted the charity is to the dedication and support of all those who have volunteered and continue to support the charity with our year-round programme of activities to breathe more life into Dartmoor,” she said. 

“The time and energy given by those who help us manage our highly productive Community Tree Nurseries and join in with our regular events such as tree planting, seed collecting and site monitoring throughout the year is impressive. This year, as we mark our 25th Anniversary we are calling on the local community to join us by giving some time to support nature.”

Since its founding, Moor Trees has planted over 170,000 trees and created 141 woodlands. The charity's work also extends to hedgerow planting, connecting habitats, and expanding existing woodlands. 

The upcoming winter planting season (2024-25) is set to see more than 34,000 trees planted, thanks to funding from partners such as Utility Warehouse and the support of landowners.

Moor Trees’ volunteers contribute over 4,500 hours of work annually, from tree planting in winter to monitoring the health and biodiversity of woodlands throughout the year. 

Many volunteers, like Stuart, 53, find a deep sense of satisfaction and connection to nature through their work with the charity. 

“After so long sat at a desk, I needed to reconnect to nature, and that is exactly what volunteering with Moor Trees allowed me to do. I left with friendships, deep satisfaction, and joy at having seen the nursery transform and grow for the future,” Stuart said.

Landowners also play a crucial role in the charity’s success, with many reporting noticeable increases in wildlife and thriving woodlands. 

One local landowner shared: “The planting process with Moor Trees staff and volunteers was one of the most positive and inspirational experiences of my life. There has been a very high survival rate of the trees, and there has been a noticeable increase in wildlife in the last six years. Our experience and what we have been able to show people has inspired neighbouring landowners to plant trees or remove grazing and allow natural regeneration of woodland and species rich grassland.”

Moor Trees encourages the local community and businesses to support its 25th anniversary year by volunteering, introducing new landowners, or becoming regular donors. 

The charity also invites supporters to participate in a Wild Work Day to learn more about the day-to-day activities of a Community Tree Nursery.