The Mersey Forest - Senior Woodland Advisor

Cheshire West and Chester Council; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government body in Warrington is seeking a Senior Woodland Advisor to lead strategic woodland creation across the Mersey Forest. This role will call for overseeing projects, engaging with communities, managing green finance, and supporting biodiversity initiatives. Required qualifications include a degree in a relevant field and proven experience in woodland creation. The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute significantly towards environmental regeneration in the region.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in woodland creation, landowner engagement, and large-scale project delivery.
• Strong understanding of forestry regulations, UK Forest Standard, and green finance mechanisms.
• Knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain and carbon markets.

Responsibilities

• Oversee woodland creation and management projects, urban tree planting, and community engagement initiatives.
• Manage a substantial budget and support landowners through regulatory processes.
• Unlock green finance opportunities, including Biodiversity Net Gain and carbon markets.

Skills

Woodland creation

Project management

Landowner engagement

Community engagement

Budget oversight

Education

Degree in Forestry, Ecology, Biodiversity or similar

Job description

Overview

Cheshire West & Chester Council seeks a Senior Woodland Advisor to lead strategic woodland creation across the Mersey Forest. Based in Warrington with hybrid working, the role supports climate action, biodiversity, and green infrastructure. The Forest aims to increase tree cover to 15% by 2050 and sustainably manage 80% of woodlands. This is a chance to drive landscape-scale environmental change in one of the UK’s largest regeneration programmes.

Cheshire West & Chester Council is seeking a passionate and experienced Senior Woodland Advisor to join our dynamic Mersey Forest Team. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in tackling climate change, enhancing biodiversity, and shaping the future of green infrastructure across the Mersey Forest area.

The Mersey Forest has planted over ten million trees and is leading one of the UK’s most extensive environmental regeneration programmes, aiming to cover 15% of Cheshire and Merseyside with woodland by 2050.

Our strategic plan, refreshed in 2025, sets ambitious goals to increase tree cover to 15% by 2050, with a longer-term vision of reaching 30%. It also aims for 80% of woodlands to be sustainably managed by 2050, progressing toward 100% thereafter.

The Mersey Forest Plan is a collaborative framework guiding woodland creation, biodiversity enhancement, and community engagement. It supports local strategies such as Climate Action Plans, Biodiversity Net Gain, and Green Infrastructure initiatives. The Forest also delivers significant financial benefits—every £1 invested by local authorities yields an estimated £10 in community value.

Through programmes like Trees for Climate, the Forest continues to offer funding and support for landowners, helping to reduce flood risk, improve air quality, and create thriving habitats for wildlife.

This role as Senior Woodland Advisor provides the opportunity to contribute directly to this impactful work—driving woodland creation, managing green finance, and helping shape a greener, more resilient future for the region.

As a strategic lead, you’ll oversee woodland creation and management projects, urban tree planting, and community engagement initiatives. You’ll manage a substantial budget, support landowners through regulatory processes, and unlock green finance opportunities, including Biodiversity Net Gain and carbon markets. With a clear plan to achieve the Mersey Forest objectives, you’ll be part of a forward-thinking, impact-driven team dedicated to creating lasting environmental change.

Responsibilities

• Oversee woodland creation and management projects, urban tree planting, and community engagement initiatives.
• Manage a substantial budget and support landowners through regulatory processes.
• Unlock green finance opportunities, including Biodiversity Net Gain and carbon markets.

Qualifications

• Degree in Forestry, Ecology, Biodiversity or similar
• Proven experience in woodland creation, landowner engagement, and large-scale project delivery
• Strong understanding of forestry regulations, UK Forest Standard, and green finance mechanisms
• Knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain and carbon markets
• Skilled in project management, budget oversight, and team leadership

If you’re ready to influence landscape-scale transformation and inspire sustainable land use, we’d love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion about the role, contact [e-mail], with Senior Woodland Advisor in the email header and we will arrange a call with you.