Summary
The Woodlands for Wales (WfW) indicators monitor progress towards the Woodlands for Wales strategy, last updated by the Welsh Government in 2018.
The indicators were reviewed and updated in 2026 to ensure they remain relevant and fit for purpose. The updated suite strengthens alignment between indicators and the strategy’s high-level outcomes and provides an improved evidence base to support woodland policy and decision-making in Wales. This includes informing wider land-use policy and initiatives such as prioritising native woodland creation and restoration, and boosting urban trees, as well as supporting the requirements of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the Environment (Wales) Act 2016.
The indicators are produced by Forest Research on behalf of the Welsh Government.
Research Objectives
This work reviewed the previous indicators, originally developed following the first Woodlands for Wales strategy in 2001, and assessed their continued suitability.
The updated indicators have been designed to:
- align with the 20 high-level outcomes of the Woodlands for Wales strategy
- use consistent, reliable and repeatable data sources
- improve transparency in measuring change over time
- identify evidence gaps and priorities for further development
Advances in data collection and analysis have been incorporated where appropriate to improve robustness and objectivity.
The indicators provide evidence across five themes: woodlands and trees, responding to climate change, woodlands for people, a competitive and sustainable forest sector, and environmental quality.
Latest Update
The updated Woodlands for Wales indicators were published in June 2026.
Access the Woodlands for Wales indicators
The revised indicators are structured around the five themes of the Woodlands for Wales strategy. Where data allow, trends are reported relative to the previous publication in 2019. In some cases, methodological changes or new data sources limit direct comparison.
The 2026 update incorporates improved data and new evidence, including information on woodland extent, trees outside woodland, ecosystem services, and the economic contribution of the forestry sector.
Forest Research will continue to maintain and update the indicators on behalf of the Welsh Government. This will include updating datasets as new data become available, refining methods where appropriate, and addressing identified evidence gaps.
Future updates will be announced on this page.
Funding & Partners
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Welsh Government