The Game Fair, a celebration of the British countryside and fieldsports which takes place from 29-31 July at Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, is set to attract more than 120,000 countryside advocates across the three days. The target of three 70-acre forests could equate to around 135,000 trees in total, a fantastic number and more than the footfall of visitors expected at The Game Fair itself. 

The Woodland Trust is the UK's largest woodland conservation charity, caring for more than 1000 wildlife-rich, native woods across the country and campaigning for new laws to protect ancient woodland. 

The planting of the three forests will take place from October 2022 during the official planting season. The Trust’s partnership with The Game Fair will help to advance this work and also contribute to The Queen’s Green Canopy, a tree planting initiative set up to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.

James Gower, managing director of The Game Fair, said the event “is a true celebration of the countryside and seeks to protect and preserve”.

He added: “The synergy between ourselves and The Woodland Trust is clear. The creation of a legacy forest at an approved site demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and tackling climate change.” 

The Queen’s Green Canopy is a unique tree-planting initiative which invites people from across the UK to ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’, and that call extends to landowners. The Game Fair will help connect the Woodland Trust with country estates across the UK to facilitate the planting of the trees and the creation of important new woodlands. 

This vital work to open new channels of communication between the Trust and the estates is only possible thanks to the collaborative approach taken by team behind The Game Fair. This new partnership will work together, alongside other relevant countryside organisations, to promote real and rapid action to tackle the climate crisis. 

At The Game Fair itself, on Friday 29 July, the serious issues of the countryside will be discussed with policy makers and MPs. The Woodland Trust will be leading a panel of experts to advise landowners on woodland creation, sharing advice and expertise on applying for grants and carbon credits.  

Woodland Trust senior relationships manager John Tucker said: “This exciting collaboration will help us to achieve our ambitious woodland creation plans. It is critical we create woodland at scale to combat the climate and nature crisis and deliver all the other benefits that trees can provide from timber to flood alleviation.

“Landowners have a crucial role to play – so we’d encourage you to come and talk to us. Our experts will be on hand to help create a bespoke project that suits you. You’ll also have the unique opportunity to create a legacy in honour of the Queen, which will benefit future generations.”