Summary
There are currently 23 indicators being used to monitor progress towards the aims of the Woodlands for Wales (WfW) strategy, the third revision of which was published by Welsh Government in 2018. This project will develop and update the existing Woodlands for Wales indicators to ensure they are relevant and fit-for-purpose. The revised indicators will be used to objectively inform other areas of land-use policy in Wales, such as the development of the National Forest for Wales, to ensure that these meet the requirements of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the Environment (Wales) Act 2016.
Research Objectives
This work is reviewing how well the current indicators have performed since 2001, when the first Woodlands for Wales strategy was published. We are exploring the potential to use advances in data gathering technologies to fill existing evidence gaps, and to increase the objectivity, effectiveness, and frequency of reporting. Our work will help to provide objective evidence to underpin policies designed to ensure that Wales’s woodlands can be resiliently managed to deliver the desired outputs and services for the people of Wales.
Latest Update
Meetings with various external and internal stakeholders have taken place to determine the status of research being undertaken, alongside advances in technology and data collection methodology. This initial work was crucial in identifying existing and potential sources of relevant data to objectively underpin the revised suite of indicators.
Information relating to woodland extent and creation, timber production and processing, economic value of forestry and employment within the sector in Wales has already been included in a data annex which provided context and supporting evidence for the Timber Industrial Strategy for Wales, published by the Welsh Government on 22 July 2025.
Work is now being undertaken to compile and publish the full updated suite of indicators as early as possible in 2026. Where evidence gaps still exist, it is intended that these will be highlighted in the report alongside the approaches being proposed to source the required information.
Once the contents of the report have been finalised, and subject to the agreement of Welsh Government, the timetable for publication will appear on this page.
Funding & Partners
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Welsh Government