Wood pasture and parkland represent a historically significant agroforestry system characterised by open-grown or pollarded trees within a mosaic of grazed semi-natural habitats. However, traditional management has declined over recent centuries, leading to habitat degradation.
This report examines the potential of new wood pasture creation as a nature-based solution for climate change mitigation, alongside its wider environmental, cultural, and economic benefits.
Evidence from three Nature Returns Local Partnership Projects demonstrates that wood pasture can enhance carbon sequestration, improve soil health, support biodiversity, reduce flood risk, and provide livestock shelter, while also preserving culturally important landscapes. Case studies show that successful establishment depends on locally appropriate tree species, planting configurations, and protection measures. To enable wider adoption, the report identifies key actions, including improving guidance and awareness for landowners, strengthening financial and technical support, and expanding research on long-term ecological and carbon outcomes. With appropriate support and evidence, wood pasture creation has significant potential to contribute to a more resilient landscape and the UK’s transition to net zero.