Research

We are interested in understanding how native forests recover and the benefits for nature, people and climate. Research and monitoring helps inform our practical conservation activities.

We have been monitoring the changes in vegetation and tree regeneration since 2007. On average, we find more than 3000 naturally regenerating saplings growing in each hectare. This is greater than the planting requirements for native woodlands. Natural regeneration is dominated by birch, willow and rowan, but a wide range of species are returning to the forest. Over time our project will restore more than 1.8 million native trees to Hardknott Forest. Read more about our work here.