Skip to content
back to Formby
Project

Woodland creation at Lunt

An aerial image of a large green field filled with newly planted trees. A small copse of mature trees can be seen in the background alongside a small pond. The steeple of a church can be seen on the skyline.
We've planted 93,000 trees in Lunt, Sefton | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

We’re creating new woodlands and more diverse habitats, like wetlands and species rich grassland, on 78 hectares of land in Lunt, Sefton with the help of our partners.

How the project will benefit nature and people

We're working in partnership with organisations who care for land in the surrounding area including, The Mersey Forest, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, The Environment Agency and Forestry England, to connect habitats. New areas of forest will join existing pockets of woodland and wetlands to create a green haven for local people to enjoy, and habitats for a broad range of wildlife from birds to insects, to native plants and even perhaps red squirrels.

The UK is one of Europe’s least wooded nations, yet these spaces are vital in our response to the biodiversity and climate crises. We're keen to play our part by supporting woodland creation projects near places where people live, helping both biodiversity recovery and climate mitigation, as well as providing opportunities for people to access nature close to home.

People feel much more connected to nature when they can access it close to home. We know that this makes a huge difference to health and wellbeing.

A quote by Justin MatthewsFormby and Central Lancashire Area Ranger

How the work has been funded

The project has been part funded by the DEFRA Trees For Climate programme through The Mersey Forest team, as well as HSBC UK and funds raised through our Plant a Tree appeal.

Trees are one of our most powerful tools in mitigating climate change. As new woodland develops and matures it locks up carbon in soils and timber, as well as intercepting rainfall, which can help to reduce flood risk and reduce water pollution.

You can see the early concept plans for Lunt and a proposed visualisation below.

An aerial concept visualisation of fields and woodland around Lunt, Liverpool
Early concept visualisation of land at Lunt, Liverpool | © National Trust

What's the latest?

April 2025

The Mersey Forest plant their 10 millionth tree

The Mersey Forest planted their 10 millionth tree at a celebration event at Lunt woodland, in Sefton. 

Paul Nolan, Director at The Mersey Forest says: "Planting our 10 millionth tree is a landmark moment for The Mersey Forest partnership, celebrating three decades of hard work alongside communities and partners across Cheshire and Merseyside. Our collaboration at Lunt with the National Trust, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Sefton Council, the Environment Agency and Forestry England is helping to create a beautiful and thriving landscape for local people and wildlife."

A person with curly hair and glasses shovels dirt into the base of a green tree.
The Mersey Forest plant their 10 millionth tree at Lunt, Sefton | © The Mersey Forest

Contact us

Email

Get in touch to share your feedback or ask us anything about the Lunt project.

lunt@nationaltrust.org.uk

You might also be interested in

Visitors explore the sand dunes at Formby, Merseyside
Article
Article

Conservation work at Formby 

Formby is one of the fastest changing stretches of coastline that we care for. Discover how the team are working with nature to protect rare habitats and wildlife.

Project
Project

Projects at Formby 

Find out what's happening at Formby's nature haven and get involved. Together we can shape future plans to protect this precious landscape and the rare species that call it home.

Two girls looking at a fern while standing among tall plants
Article
Article

People and nature thriving: Our strategy to 2035 

Read about our strategy, which focuses on restoring nature, ending unequal access and inspiring more people.

A house nestled in a summer landscape of green hills and trees
Appeal
Appeal

Plant a Tree 

Trees provide vital habitats for a range of wildlife and are one of the best natural defences against climate change. This is why we're aiming to plant and establish 20 million trees by 2030. Donate to Plant a Tree and make a difference.

Sign up to hear more from the National Trust

By sharing your email address you’re agreeing to receive marketing emails from the National Trust and confirm you’re 18 years old or over. Please see our for more information on how we look after your personal data.