Wales’ first ‘Tiny Forest’ planted in the Vale

Five tennis court sized forests are being established by Keep Wales Tidy

The Vale of Glamorgan Council, along with a group of volunteers, has planted a Keep Wales Tidy sponsored 'Tiny Forest' in Pencoedtre Park. It is one of Wales’ first Tiny Forests to be established.

Other locations to soon create Tiny Forests include Bridgend, Conwy, Gwynedd and Cardiff, all of which have been carefully selected to provide maximum impact for nature and urban communities. Around 1,000 trees will be planted at each site, creating dense, native forests the size of tennis courts in five urban areas.

“It’s exciting to see the first five Tiny Forests taking shape in Wales. Although they might be small in size, we’re sure they will have a big impact on biodiversity and people’s well-being for generations to come.

 

“We’d like to thank Welsh Government our partners at Earthwatch and the Woodland Trust for making this possible. We look forward to working with them to extend the scheme to other towns and cities across Wales.”

- Louise Tambini, Keep Wales Tidy Deputy Chief Executive

The Council's Parks Team have been working with Keep Wales Tidy, Ace Site Services, local members and the Gibbonsdown Residents Association to make this project possible. 

They followed a special method of planting that is proven to grow faster, denser and more biodiverse than a standard newly planted woodland. The aim is to attract wildlife, improve air quality, remove harmful greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and help reduce localised flooding.

The locations of the first Tiny Forests in Wales are: 

• Nantymoel, Bridgend

• The Playing Field, St Asaph Avenue, Kinmel Bay, Conwy

• Coed Bach Pendalar/ Ysgol Pendalar, Gwynedd        

• Pencoedtre, Gibbonsdown, Vale of Glamorgan       

• Cardiff Bay

(Pictured, ITV Wales crew filming at Pencoedtre Park in Barry)