DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has launched Northern Ireland's first Tree Planting Action Plan, a blueprint to accelerate woodland creation and support the goal of reaching 12% forest cover by 2050.

Titled 'The Northern Ireland Tree Planting Action Plan: A Plan for Woodland Creation 2026–2032', the programme backs priorities in the Programme for Government 2024–2027, the Climate Action Plan and the Environmental Improvement Plan, and is intended to address climate change and biodiversity loss.

The plan sets out 10 strategic actions and 31 implementing actions to strengthen governance and delivery of tree planting, expand communication and knowledge transfer, develop education and capacity, and build on the research and evidence base.

It was co-designed with a broad group of stakeholders, including Woodland Trust, representatives of the Confederation of Forest Industries (CONFOR), forestry companies, environmental NGOs, the Ulster Farmers' Union, NI Water and local councils.

Minister Muir said: "From Tollymore to Garvagh and Binevenagh, our forests add so much to our unique and cherished landscapes. Yet, despite our ambitions to increase woodland cover, we still have a long way to go.

"The launch of Northern Ireland's first Tree Planting Action Plan comes at a critical juncture for nature and our climate. It aims to build on the aspirations of the Forests for Our Future programme and ensure we ramp up our efforts and address the factors inhibiting woodland expansion. "More woodlands are essential to a shared and prosperous future, delivering improved air and water quality, natural carbon capture and flood management, and vital habitats for nature recovery. Forests and woodlands provide us with outdoor leisure opportunities and skilled jobs in rural areas. We all set to gain from ambitious afforestation."

Minister Muir continued: "Recognising the need to go further and faster to realise these benefits, I tasked officials to work with stakeholders to develop this plan. I am greatly encouraged by the sense of a shared vision and am grateful for the expertise and commitment given to the co-design process.

"Given the amount of agricultural land in Northern Ireland, farmers will play a key role in the action plan's successful implementation. By raising awareness and improving understanding, we can build confidence that farm woodlands are valued assets and a viable land-use that can be integrated into Northern Ireland's productive agricultural landscape, supporting economically sustainable farm enterprises.

"This plan is only the beginning. It is incumbent on us to keep working together to remove barriers and identify opportunities to ensure we plant trees in the right place. Together we can improve our environment for all of us and future generations to benefit from."

The Forestry Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 places a duty on the Department to promote afforestation via woodland creation and sustainable forest management. Current forest cover stands at 8.6%, with the plan outlining steps to increase this to 12% over the next 25 years in line with the UK Forestry Standard. The Tree Planting Action Plan 2026–2032 has now been published.