The Future Trees Trust is delighted to announce a major grant from the Wolfson Foundation to support the development of its new National Centre at the Buscot and Coleshill Estate in Oxfordshire. This generous contribution brings the project past the halfway mark in its fundraising journey, securing over 58% of the total required funding.
The National Centre will be a first-of-its-kind hub dedicated to environmental education, sustainable forestry, and public engagement. It will serve as a dynamic space for researchers, educators, and communities to come together to explore the future of UK woodlands and the role of forestry in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.
Located within the National Trust’s Heritage and Rural Skills Centre, which already attracts over 40,000 visitors annually, the Centre will feature:
- A main hall for exhibitions, conferences, and networking
- Interactive educational zones and outdoor forest simulation areas
- Visitor amenities including a café, gift shop, and eco-friendly relaxation spaces
- Sustainability features such as rainwater harvesting and solar energy
- A fully accessible toilet block and platform lift to ensure inclusivity for all visitors
John Leigh Pemberton, Chair of Trustees at Future Trees Trust, commented:
“The importance of the work we do has never been more vital. Organisations across the sector are looking to Future Trees Trust to help deliver the very ambitious tree planting targets set out by the government.”
The Wolfson Foundation is an independent charity with a focus on research and education. Its aim is to support civil society by investing in excellent projects in science, health, heritage, humanities, and the arts. The Foundation’s support for the National Centre reflects a shared vision for environmental sustainability, public engagement, and educational innovation.
Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said: “Restoring tree cover at scale is critical to addressing both the climate crisis and rapid biodiversity loss. Field trials carried out by the Future Trees Trust at its new National Centre will play a key role in developing adapted planting stock for use in reforestation activities right across the UK. We are delighted to help the Trust create new learning and collaboration spaces to educate forestry workers, landowners, school students and the public at large about their vital work.”
Work is already underway, with completion expected in 2026. The Centre will play a vital role in inspiring the next generation, supporting the forestry sector, and promoting a deeper public understanding of the natural world.
For further information, or to support the project, please contact:
Email: fundraising@futuretrees.org
Phone: 07717 433665 / 07940 560648
Website: www.futuretrees.org
For more photos to accompany the release please email: georgina.thomas@futuretrees.org
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“Restoring tree cover at scale is critical to addressing both the climate crisis and rapid biodiversity loss. Field trials carried out by the Future Trees Trust at its new National Centre will play a key role in developing adapted planting stock for use in reforestation activities right across the UK.
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Tree planting, conservation, timber, biodiversity, tree charity, education
- Environment & Sustainability
- 2025-08-20
