Over the next 25 years, tens of thousands of trees will be planted from Plymouth city centre to the edge of Dartmoor in the eleventh project of its kind in England. The trees, which absorb carbon dioxide, are part of the government's target of net zero emissions by 2050.

The Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest will cover 1,900 hectares - the size of about 3,750 football pitches!

The city council said the forest would be unlike a normal forest as it will be a mix of community woodland, private woodland, on street trees, urban woodland, wooded habitat corridors and hedgerows.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has said that Plymouth will plant up to 25 hectares in the first year and receive up to £480,000 from the government's £640m Nature for Climate Fund.

The exact number of trees being planted is not known but the council estimates it will be "tens of thousands" and will increase the number of trees in the city by 20%. Once fully established, it is estimated that the extra trees will increase carbon capture in the Plymouth area by 83%, compared to current levels.

The project will see the community come together to make a difference, with residents and landowners being urged to get involved. 

Councillor Patrick Nicholson, deputy leader of the council, said the authority was "thrilled" at the project and "excited for the many benefits that it will bring Plymouth and the surrounding area".

The project highlights the growing importance of communities, as well as organisations, in the fight against global warming. To find out more about the part you could play in tackling climate change, visit on Energy Careers page.