Devon charity launches major plan to plant 10 million native trees across Dartmoor by 2050

A Devon charity has unveiled an ambitious plan to plant 10 million native trees across Dartmoor by 2050 in a major effort to combat the climate and biodiversity crises.

Moor Trees marked its 25th anniversary with a celebration at Buckfast Abbey on Friday, June 27, where supporters, funders and volunteers were thanked for their contribution to the charity’s work.

The charity used the event to unveil an ambitious new goal: to see 10 million more native trees planted across Dartmoor by 2050.

The vision is part of a long-term plan to create a mosaic of restored woodlands and natural habitats, breathing new life into the moorland landscape and helping to tackle both climate change and biodiversity loss.

READ MORE: Moor Trees celebrates 25th anniversary in 2025

The event showcased Moor Trees’ achievements to date, including the creation of 175 woodlands and hedgerows across 167 hectares, the planting of more than 195,000 trees, and the work of over 275 volunteers in the past year alone.

Guests were invited to explore different zones illustrating the charity’s process “from seed to site”, its community impact, and future restoration goals, including the regeneration of the temperate rainforest at Wistman’s Wood.

ABOVE: Cake cutting at Moor Trees’ 25th anniversary event on 27 June ’25 with co-founder Adam Griffin, Chair of Trustees Jenny Isaac, and Patron Kevin Cox. © Moor Trees

Jenny Isaac, chair of trustees at Moor Trees, said: “It is essential that we all inspire people to take action now to ensure a more nature-rich Dartmoor. Moor Trees wants to see a further 10 million trees take root in the next 25 years and we’re doing this for nature, for children and young people who are growing up in a world with less and less wildlife. Each woodland recreated is a legacy to be proud of. We can all, individually and together, make a difference now to help mitigate the impacts of the climate emergency and the devastating loss of biodiversity.”

The charity also launched its 2024–25 impact report during the event, highlighting its expanding reputation for producing healthy, Dartmoor-provenance trees at its two community tree nurseries.

Chief executive Helen Aldis said: “The remaining tiny fragments of temperate rainforest on Dartmoor are so magical. They have inspired countless stories, books, films and art, and we want to ensure that these woodlands and the associated wildlife survive and thrive into the future.”

Over winter 2024–25, volunteers planted 17,595 trees during 3,095 combined hours and collected 179kg of seeds and fruit. More than 95,000 young saplings are currently growing at Moor Trees' nurseries.

The charity works each year with landowners and conservation partners, including Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon Wildlife Trust, the Duchy of Cornwall, Natural England and the Woodland Trust, to restore and expand native woodland.

Kevin Cox, patron of Moor Trees and a local landowner, said: “The event shone a light on the incredible contribution Moor Trees has made in its first 25 years. Not least the contribution of our volunteers in creating around 170 hectares of woodland and supporting the production all year-round at one of the largest Community Tree Nurseries in the country. It was evident for all who attended the importance of acting locally to help combat global issues and how we can all play our part.”

As Moor Trees looks ahead to 2050, the charity is calling on individuals, landowners and communities to commit to helping restore Dartmoor’s natural habitats for generations to come.