Community-supported woodland creation

The Coal2Canopy initiative aims for coalfield communities to plant trees and hedgerows over degraded areas of nearby former opencast sites and coal tips, reconnecting with – and improving – access to quality green space in South Wales.

How it works

Landowners identify a degraded area of their site that has public access and was opencast for coal mining within the past 16 years or contains a coal tip near to inhabitants. There is no financial cost to the landowner to participate and Coal Action Network will be their single point of contact.
We take on coordinating funding arrangements, implementation partners, surveys, insurance, aftercare, and local community engagement and participation.
We will take photos, drone fly-over videos, and quotes from participants – shared with the landowner for evaluation and ESG purposes.

Coal2Canopy aims

Accelerate and improve ecological recovery over degraded opencast sites and coal tips.
Improve access to quality green space for surrounding communities, supporting mental health and physical wellbeing.
Engage local communities, particularly young people, in their heritage and local environment, and encourage safe behaviours on these sites.

How to participate

We are in conversation with landowners to identify areas and obtain permission. We already have key implementation partners on board and ready to go. Are you a land-owner of a former opencast coal mine site, or coal tip, that would benefit from woodland planting? Or are you a local community group based near such a site? We want to hear from you! Get in contact with “Coal2Canopy” in the subject header.

Research and case study