Brook Farm’s 146-acre EWCO woodland in Herefordshire

Here’s a real-world climate case you can teach with. At Brook Farm in Herefordshire, FW Thorpe PLC is backing a new 146-acre woodland as part of its carbon plan. The Forestry Commission’s GOV.UK case study says the project, led publicly by Kate Thorpe, will plant 124,400 mixed broadleaf and conifer trees, open the site for people to visit, help reduce flood risk downstream, provide future timber and support wildlife recovery. Published on 28 November 2025, it’s a fresh example of how a company can align climate goals with local benefits.

Before we go further, it helps to know how the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) works. EWCO is a Forestry Commission grant that funds new woodland in England. Projects must meet the UK Forestry Standard; they can receive support for capital works and infrastructure, plus an annual maintenance payment for 15 years to establish young trees. Designs can also qualify for extra contributions where public benefits such as water quality, reduced flooding or new recreational access are delivered.

When you see a business talk about ‘offsetting’, treat it as the final step after cutting emissions as far as possible. Trees remove carbon dioxide as they grow, and in the UK the Woodland Carbon Code is the quality‑assurance standard that verifies those removals. Landowners who want to issue recognised UK woodland carbon credits register and are independently audited to the Code, giving buyers confidence they are compensating for unavoidable emissions in a responsible way.

Why a mixed woodland? Planting a blend of broadleaf and conifer species spreads risk and supports more life. Different trees cope with pests, disease and drought in different ways, and they grow at different speeds. That means a richer habitat for birds, insects and plants, and a more resilient forest over decades. It also allows for staggered harvesting for timber while other areas continue locking away carbon.

Think about the wider benefits you can’t see on a balance sheet. Trees slow heavy rain and help soils hold water, which can soften flood peaks. Paths and rides invite people in for walking and learning-those are social and health benefits. Timber, managed well, can replace higher‑carbon materials in future buildings and products. In the classroom, we often call these the everyday services nature provides.

If you enjoy the maths, 146 acres is roughly 59 hectares. Spread 124,400 saplings across that area and you get an average of about two thousand trees per hectare (around 850 per acre). In practice, foresters vary spacing by species and leave open space for light, wildlife, machinery access and drainage, so density changes across the site.

What this means for your lesson: use Brook Farm to map how a woodland is designed. Ask students to sketch a simple plan showing planting blocks, open ground, paths and watercourses. Then match each feature to benefits-carbon removal, habitats for wildlife, flood reduction, recreation and timber-and discuss trade‑offs when one goal might limit another.

Let’s practise media literacy too. The GOV.UK case study tells you who published it, what the project claims and when it went live. Your checklist: note the publication date, the scheme rules it references and any independent standards. Here, that’s Forestry Commission as publisher, 28 November 2025 as the date, EWCO for funding rules and-if credits are involved-the Woodland Carbon Code for verification.

If you’re a land manager exploring similar projects, start with the EWCO guidance. It explains eligibility, the 15‑year maintenance support for establishment, where extra contributions may apply for things like recreational access or water benefits, and how proposals must meet the UK Forestry Standard. It also sets out the steps and evidence you’ll need for a robust application.

Brook Farm shows how climate action can connect with everyday life: places to walk, fewer flooded homes downstream, habitats stitched back together and wood grown for future use. For students, the takeaway is simple and practical-tree planting is not just about counting stems; it’s about good design, long‑term care and clear standards so promised carbon and community benefits are delivered.